West Ham v Tottenham Betting Tip Both teams to score – 20 October 2018

Both teams to score as West Ham face Spurs

Premier League Tips

Saturday 20th October 1500hrs West Ham United v Tottenham Hotspur Football – England – Premier League It’s no secret that these two teams do not like each other and their supporters view it as arguably their most anticipated game of the season such is the bitterness. There have been plenty of dramatic games between the clubs and we hope Saturday adds to that list on the back of an international break. West Ham are looking to continue their good recent run whilst Spurs will be hoping to make it four wins on the spin. Continue reaching for a match preview as West Ham take on Tottenham in a London derby with a best bet selection.

It’s still very much a work in progress but things are starting to look up for Manuel Pellegrini and West Ham following a decidedly dodgy start. The loss to Brighton last time out was their first defeat in four league games, a run that has seen them amass seven points and climb to relative safety – however they remain in the lower half of the table and will want to edge close to mid table at the very least. Impressive wins over Everton and Manchester United as well as a confidence boosting draw at home to another rival, Chelsea, have got Hammers supporters in much better mood and more optimistic than Pellegrini’s appointment may well prove successful. It’s certainly a lot better than their first four games which all ended in defeat and they found themselves bottom of the league. There’s certainly plenty of talent in the squad and the challenge is getting a balanced team on the park that gets the best out of their creative players but ensuring they remain compact in defence. Everybody at the club would have been relishing this game when the fixtures were released and will be raring to go for the visit of Spurs on Saturday.

Spurs have won three league games in a row but there’s still the feeling that they will have to raise their level considerably if they are to finish in the top four again at the very least. Much was made of the lack of transfer activity and they are constantly reminded of it when not hitting the heights that we’ve come to expect over the last couple of seasons. The wins have come against some of the lesser lights of the Premier League in Cardiff, Huddersfield (who are bottom and third bottom) and Brighton – all games you would expect them to be successful in. It’s not as straightforward as that, of course, but their performances even in those wins, have been more laboured than some of the majestic football we’ve seen from Mauricio Pochettino’s team. There have been mitigating circumstances as well, however, with injuries to their main creative spark Christian Eriksen the major factor. The good news for Spurs fans is the little Danish magician will be fit enough to return to the squad for Saturday’s game and he’ll almost certainly start considering fellow midfielder Dele Alli continues to miss out through injury. Pochettino will be looking to Eriksen to provide the service that has been lacking for Harry Kane.

West Ham v Tottenham Betting Tips

West Ham like nothing more than beating Spurs and have had a habit of doing so in crucial games down the years. They dealt a massive blow to Spurs title hopes two seasons ago when winning 1-0 in May whilst a 2-1 win on the final day of the 2005/06 seasons ensured Tottenham went into the UEFA Cup rather than qualify for the Champions League. Those are just a couple of examples where Spurs have come a cropper when playing away at West Ham – something they’ll be looking to avoid this weekend. The White Hart Lane club did win on their last visit to the London Stadium, running out 3-2 winners last September. The other meeting in the league last season ended 1-1 but West Ham did manage a win when knocking Spurs out the EFL Cup in between those league meetings.

The return of Eriksen will be a massive boost for the visitors and with Kane arguably turning in his best performance of the season in England’s win over Spain during the week, there is hope that the duo can get Tottenham going, starting with Saturday. The hosts were able to frustrate Chelsea at home a month ago and would probably take a similar result this time. I am reluctant to back either team due to the nature of this fixture, though, and will instead back both teams to score. Five of the last six meetings between these two have ended that way whilst nine of Spurs last 13 away games in the league have also seen both teams scoring.

Selection: Both teams to score 8/13 @ Betfred