The English premier league closes in on another exciting season finale this Friday, (May 5th) as league adversaries West Ham FC and Tottenham Hotspur lock horns at the Olympic Stadium, with Kick-off commencing at (21:00 CET/20:00 GMT). The last time these two sides met in the league, the Tottenham Hotspur clinched victory at the White Hart Lane in what was an exhilarating encounter, prevailing (3:2) on the day. The Hammers will be looking to distance themselves further from the relegation zone, whilst the Tottenham Hotspur will hope to continue their relentless pursuit of the league leaders Chelsea, with a victory this Friday.
WEST HAM FC vs. TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
3-Way: 1: West Ham FC +750; X: +415 Draw; Tottenham Hotspur -222
Spread +1.5: West ham FC -127 ; Tottenham Hotspur +122
Total +3 : Over -104; Under +102
WEST HAM FC
The West Ham FC is currently ranked 15th in the English Premier League and out of their 35 matches played so far, the Hammers have managed to collect just 39 points, in what has been an uninspiring season for the manager Slaven Bilic and his men. The side has struggled to gain any momentum all season, however, the fact that the Hammers have now gone four consecutive matches unbeaten, will surely galvanize the club, ahead of Fridays fierce derby on home soil against the mighty Spurs.
The side will be desperate to haul themselves clear of the relegation zone, and three points this Friday would take them 10 points away from the relegation drop off position. Furthermore, a win for the Hammers could see them climb six places in the league table, and overtake the Saints by a point. The West Ham would love to finish this season with a flurry, and if the club could end this campaign ranked inside the top ten, it would be a positive climax, to what potentially could have been a sticky run-in.
The West Ham has garnered plenty of resilience of late, and last week’s draw away to Stoke City, see’s this side go unbeaten in their last four competitive matches domestically. The team’s last win was back in early April, against the bottom dwellers Swansea City (1:0). The West Ham has struggled to score this season, and the side has only managed to net 45 times as the hosts, which is ranked the 14th highest goal tally in the league. Worse still, the Hammers attack has only accumulated 18 goals with only Middlesbrough and Sunderland having achieved less this season.
The majority of West Ham’s goals this season, have come from Michail Antonio, as the Jamaican forward has found the net nine times, including a total of three assists. The Hammers will be desperate to hold onto the striker, who has sparked plenty of interest from rival clubs, and could be subject to a summer swoop by Conte’s Chelsea come the end of this season. The mountainous forward Andy Carroll is the clubs second highest scorer with seven goals, alongside fellow teammates Manuel Lanzini and Robert Snodgrass.
However, the Hammers will most like be without their two top goal scorers Michail Antonio, who is absent from the squad with a Hamstring injury, and attacking partner Andy Carroll, who is also a doubt for Friday’s fixture having picked up a Groin strain. Finally, teammates Angelo Ogbonna, Pedro Obiang and Diafro Sakho complete the list of absentees for Friday’s clash.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
The Tottenham Hotspur is on a excellent form going into Friday’s home match, and Mauricio Pochettino’s side has the opportunity to close the gap on the league leaders Chelsea to one point, if they can claim victory against the Hammers. The club has won their last nine consecutive league matches, but the pressure is firmly on the Tottenham Hotspur to pick up all three points, as Chelsea look set to extend their lead at the top of the table, when they welcome Middlesbrough to Stamford Bridge on Monday night.
The Spurs have been in imperious form at the White Hart Lane, but the club has only managed five wins out of their fifteen matches played as the visiting side, which is only the 5th best away record in the league. The Tottenham Hotspur went into their last match, knowing that only three points would do, following Chelsea’s victory over Everton on the weekend, and Mauricio Pochettino’s men showed no signs of deteriorating, as they triumphed over their fierce rivals Arsenal with a rampant performance, thanks to midfield maestro Dele Alli, and striking sensation Harry Kane.
The England International Harry Kane is Tottenham Hotspurs top goal scorer, and has scored 21 goals this season, just three behind the Toffee’s Romelu Lukaku, in his bid for the golden boat. The midfield talisman Dele Alli has found the net seventeen times from the middle of the park this season, and has managed to score twice in one game on three occasions, his latest goal came against Arsenal last weekend.
The midfielder general Mousa Dembele is set to return to the squad, after picking up an Ankle injury against Crystal Palace, meanwhile Tottenham’s powerhouse defender, Jan Vertonghen is expected to be fit, following a minor knock sustained against the Gunner’s last weekend, whilst expeditious left back Danny Rose is sidelined with a knee injury.
West Ham FC vs. Tottenham Hotspur Match Prediction
If the Tottenham Coach Mauricio Pochettino can inspire his side to victory, away to the Hammers this Friday, the club will move to within just one point of Chelsea at the top of the table. The Spurs have won their last nine consecutive matches in the league, and the West Ham boss Slaven Bilic will have to extract the very best out of his side, if they are to destroy their local rivals title hopes, and scoop up all three points this Friday. Last weekend’s stalemate, was the Hammer’s fourth consecutive match without a defeat, but it would take a monumental effort to derail this momentous Tottenham side, that is hell bent on becoming crowned the English Premier league champions this season. Although I expect a lot of goals, my safer bet is to go with both teams to score at least once, which is something that has occurred in three of their last four meetings!!!
MY PICK: Both teams to score YES (-122)
Additional Pick: Over 3 goals (-104)
