MOTD COMMENTATOR’S NOTES
@Guymowbray: If performers are supposed to leave their fans wanting more, West Ham had better shape up in their remaining games.
After a bad start, the first half of the season brought them 27 points. They’ve only earned 16 in the second half, and have won just three of their last 14 league and cup matches.
Fans – and the manager – should DEMAND more.
On their game, the Hammers have a good chance of being the first visitors to a) score, and b) not lose at Tottenham’s new stadium, especially if any home minds are partially thinking of Ajax.
That can’t be allowed, with Spurs more likely to get into next season’s Champions League through their Premier League position (they need two more wins – maybe just one), than by winning the competition this year.
VIEW FROM THE DUGOUT
Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino: “If someone is listening to me now, players or fans, think about tomorrow, not another day [Tuesday’s Champions League semi-final with Ajax].
“Tomorrow must be the most important thing. We need to take the best decision, we need to have fresh legs, fresh minds – and those who are not in their best mind tomorrow are going to be on the bench or outside the squad.”
West Ham manager Manuel Pellegrini: “It’s a derby, of course, which gives us motivation. We must try to play well, like a big team. We are not going to their stadium just to try to draw, or not to concede.
“If you go into these games with the defending mentality, and maybe not trying to win, we might draw some more. But we’ve got one mentality – to try and win.”
LAWRO’S PREDICTION
West Ham carry a threat but they are very inconsistent and I think Spurs will get the three points they need.
Prediction: 2-1
Lawro’s full predictions v Radio 1 DJ Melvin Odoom
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
- This will be the third meeting in league and cup this season, with Tottenham winning both prior matches.
- Spurs are looking to complete their first league double over West Ham since 2012-13.
- West Ham’s only Premier League away victory at Spurs in the past 16 attempts was by a 3-0 scoreline in October 2013 (D6, L9).
Tottenham Hotspur
- Spurs have won all four matches at their new stadium without conceding a goal.
- They could keep five consecutive home clean sheets in all competitions for the second time under Mauricio Pochettino, having done so from January to February last year at Wembley.
- The Lilywhites are unbeaten in nine home games, winning eight of them, including fixtures played at Wembley.
- Tottenham have won all nine home matches against sides currently in the bottom half of the table by an aggregate score of 21-2.
- Their tally of 19 points in London derbies this season equals the Premier League club record.
- Mauricio Pochettino is unbeaten in all six home league games as a manager against West Ham (W2, D4).
West Ham United
- West Ham have taken a solitary point from their past eight away fixtures.
- They are in danger of losing five successive away league matches for the first time since January 2014.
- The Hammers have conceded two goals or more in each of their last six matches – not since February 1971 have they conceded multiple goals in more top-flight fixtures in a row.
- Manuel Pellegrini’s side have kept five league clean sheets; only Fulham, with four, have fewer.
- The Hammers have lost their last six away league games against the established top six by an aggregate score of 16-3.
- They are winless in 20 matches away to those top six sides since beating Manchester City in September 2015.
dishwasher repairs greenford
Source link
Comments 0