Writer’s Predictions - West Ham v Tottenham

Here we go, it’s that time again. The grudge match. West Ham United v Tottenham, the closest thing the club have to an arch-enemy in the absence of Millwall in the Premier League. The rivalry has produced its share of ups and downs for both clubs and this game promises to be no different.

A look at the Premier League table reveal that the Hammers are lingering in the lower midtable [2 points off ninth place] and Tottenham are *sigh* second. A bitter pill to swallow indeed.

There has been loose talk of a Tottenham “title challenge” going on and I am sure that this will give the West Ham players and fans extra motivation to wipe that smug grin off Harry Kane’s face.

Let’s hope for a repeat of his own goal heroics later:

Last season, West Ham managed to beat the spuds in their last ever visit to Upton Park after a glorious header from Michail Antonio. In less positive news, this season’s visit to White Hart Lane saw the Hammers surrender a 2-1 lead to lose 3-2.

I think I speak for everyone when I say we cannot let Tottenham waltz into London Stadium and win their first appearance at the ground. This would be unacceptable and subject West Ham fans to even more ridicule at the hands of Tottenham. I don’t need that in my life. People still laugh at me about the 4-3 game.

Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

Enough of my ramblings, let’s get into the picks.

Drunk off West Ham’s recent three match unbeaten run, our writers have gone for major optimism, with people predicting wins and all sorts. Unbridled madness has gripped the usually reserved Brace the Hammer predictions.

Before we get into that we need to have a look at the old prediction league. As always, 1 point for a correct outcome, 3 points for predicting the correct score:

Resident psychic Brian is is starting to create some distance at the top of the table. He looks to have one hand on the Mystery Prize. A prize so mysterious even I don’t know what it is.

Here are this week’s predictions:

Tom Atherton

0-3 Spurs

Wallace Milner

West Ham 1-0 Tottenham

Tottenham are a team in outrageously good form. It's going to take something special to get even a point out of this one. However, I think with a defensive minded approach and a bit of luck, West Ham can keep a clean sheet.

Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images

Pete Schlenker (HammerPete)

1-1 draw with Adrian saving the Hammer's bacon in the last couple minutes.

Tottenham Hotspur will be still be hungover from their victory over Arsenal, and be looking past this game. A lucky goal will put West Ham ahead in the first half, Tottenham will press and a goal will be scored in the early second half for Spurs, but West Ham will hang on for the draw and the London Stadium (or Vodafone Dome or whatever) will finally rock almost as much as Upton Park did.

A whole day for the faithful to get liquored up for a derby match? It's gonna be off the chain.

Andrew Jones

2-1 win

Jonathan Calleri will run all over Vertonghen and Lloris to finish the game winner.

Jonathan Liebling

West Ham United has the opportunity to be the drunk bridesmaid at a wedding. Sure, she's in the party, but it's only a matter of time until she dances too much and throws up on the groom while trying to confess her, until now, secret love. So... there's that.

West Ham United 2-1

Brian Tenerowicz

I do normally like to be unbiased in these predictions but screw that 5-0 to the Irons

Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images

Chad Hoy

Look, Tottenham are obviously very, very good. But there's something about a London derby that gets everyone pumped up, and I can see us finally scoring a few goals this week. I can see this match going one of two ways:

If Jonathan "Most Useless Striker West Ham Has Had In Decades" Calleri starts, we lose 0-2.

If Jonathan "Most Useless Striker West Ham Has Had In Decades" Calleri doesn't start, we win 2-0.

Our defense is starting to jell nicely, and after two weeks of no goals, we're due for a few. Although, Calleri hasn't scored one actual goal all season (I don't personally count lucky deflections), so I can't really see it happening now against this Tottenham defense.

Because of Ashley Fletcher's age/experience level, I wouldn't expect much from him either if he were to start. Our best hope is that the Geordie Giant, Andy Carroll, will be fit for this one. So let's all say a quick prayer that that happens.

Anyway: I'm being a total homer, I know, but my "official" prediction is a 2-0 West Ham win. I'm sure I'll regret this one.

Andy Kostka

West Ham 0-2 Tottenham

This pains me to predict, but after two scoreless draws, I don't think the attacking prowess is there to beat Spurs. The defense has held tight, but against the attack Tottenham employs, it'll be a challenge to keep them out. Tottenham has scored 27 more goals than West Ham this season, and they've only lost three times. Watch out for the Dele Alli and Harry Kane show at London Stadium.

Gerry Physio

West Ham 1-0 Tottenham

I’m not expecting a high scoring game based on the last two weeks. I'll go for a single goal win for West Ham with Adrián - if he plays - being the deciding factor.

Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images

Charlie Walsh

Tottenham are killing it and it couldn't annoy me more. I'll be honest, I'm jealous. From top to bottom they seem to be run perfectly, something we can only dream of. To quote fellow BTH lad Wallace Milner, "I like your players, your coach and your style of play. I just can't bring myself to like Tottenham."

There are essentially 2 options here. We either try and press high, cut their passing lanes and disrupt their play OR sit back and try and absorb their attacks then fly forward on the counter. I don't particularly fancy our chances either way but, given our current formation working defensively, I expect us to do the latter.

We dealt with another team horrendously in from in Everton very well at the LS and I'm hoping we can do the same here, although I highly doubt we'll be able to stop them scoring.

Let's go for a cheeky 2-1 win with a Nordveit piledriver to win it.

Me!

To further Pete’s point Tottenham will likely be so jubilant after beating Arsenal that they will lose focus. They enter the lion’s den and will have their work cut out for them against a West Ham team that hasn’t conceded in two.

I’m going to be bold and predict a cagey 1-0 win for West Ham

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