Premier League Team news and prediction: Tottenham vs West Ham

As one of seven teams yet to win a home league match this season, Jose Mourinho is hoping to set the record straight against West Ham today. The Hammers, though, have been in good form under David Moyes of late, securing back-to-back victories after a poor start to the season. 

In the build up to Sunday's London derby, we have all your need-to-know match information in one place. Including team names, where you can catch the game and a scoreline prediction. 

When is kick off? 

Sunday 18th October, 14:30 GMT 

Where is the match? 

Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London 

Where can I watch it? 

Sky Sports Main Event / Sky Sports Premier League 

Season so far 

Tottenham are one of the highest scorers in the Premier League this season, scoring 12 goals in their opening four matches. Six of those came in their recent win at Manchester United and Jose Mourinho will be keen to see his players continue that momentum against rivals West Ham today. Spurs have an indifferent home record against the Hammers, with a 2-0 win at the tailend of 2019/20 ending a three-match winless run in north London against their east London counterparts. 

For West Ham, back-to-back defeats at the hands of Newcastle and Arsenal have been followed up with impressive successive wins over European chasing duo Wolves and Leicester, in which they scored seven and conceded none to move within a point of today's opponents. They know what it takes to win at their rivals, winning two of their last four visits to Tottenham, and inflicted Spurs' first defeat at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, so they know how to spring an upset in the capital. 

Team News 

Jose Mourinho is sweating on the fitness of a few players coming into today's meeting. Giovani Lo Celso picked up a knock on international duty, as did Eric Dier, and both may miss out on a spot in the starting XI at the expense of Tanguy Ndombele and Toby Alderweireld, respectively. Steven Bergwijn and Japhet Tanganga will also be assessed, but the big news is the potential second debut of Gareth Bale, while Carlos Vinicius will hope to make his first appearance following his arrival from Benfica. Serge Aurier may also start at right-back following a superb display at Manchester United before the international break. Defender Joe Rodon joined after the registration deadline on Friday and misses out 

It's the same story for Said Benrahma, who will have to wait to make his West Ham debut until next week after his domestic deadline day arrival from Brentford as the Algerian has joined on loan for the season. Former Spurs man Ryan Fredericks will be assessed after suffering a hamstring injury prior to the international break and it's the same story for Arthur Masuaku, who faces a late fitness test. Issa Diop is fit again having self-isolated after testing positive for Coronavirus and he should return to the backline, though loan capture Craig Dawson is an option if required for David Moyes. 

Probable XIs 

Tottenham (433) - Lloris; Aurier, Sanchez, Alderweireld, Reguilon; Hojbjerg, Winks, Ndombele; Bale, Kane, Son

West Ham (541) - Fabianski; Fredericks, Diop, Balbuena, Cresswell, Masuaku; Bowen, Soucek, Rice, Fornals; Antonio

Key Battle - Harry Winks vs Declan Rice

International teammates will face off to control the tempo in the middle of the park today with Harry Winks edging out Declan Rice in that regard. Winks is renowned for his ability to keep play ticking over, with 'passing' one of his two WhoScored strengths. If given the chance to pick out a Spurs man, the north London side should be confident of dictating play against the Hammers.

However, as adept as Spurs may be at keeping the ball, Rice has the means to win this battle. With strengths of 'ball interception' and 'tackling', the 21-year-old is more than capable of disrupting Spurs' rhythm in the middle of the park, ensuring the West Ham goal is tested as rarely as possible to help the Hammers to a third successive league win.

Prediction: Tottenham 2-0 West Ham