Spurs and West Ham face off this weekend in the former club’s latest London Derby.
Before the international break, Spurs managed a 1-1 draw away at their North London rivals Arsenal whilst West Ham were held to the same scoreline by Stoke City.
This game always seems to have an edge to it and since 2013, the Hammers have had the better of the Lilywhites.
They’ve won four of the last seven, including last year’s impressive 1-0 victory at Upton Park to dent Tottenham’s Premier League title charge.
However, the Hammers have been disappointing so far this season with only three wins to their name from eleven matches.
They sit one point and one place above the bottom three and whilst form is thrown out of the window when it comes to derby matches, Spurs have every reason to come into this clash full of confidence – still unbeaten after eleven league games and facing as team struggling for results.
The Hammers do have some good players though, so here’s a combined XI using Spurs and West Ham stars – who’ll come out on top?
GK: Hugo Lloris
The experienced Frenchman is regarded as one of the best keepers in the Premier League and it’s no surprise. He’s very agile, tall and strong but he’s also quick and reads the game exceptionally well.
Adrian is a talented shot-stopper as well but the Spaniard’s not been in the best form this season, whilst Lloris’ recent save against Bayer Leverkusen bordered upon world-class.
Seemingly destined to play for a major club before the end of his career, selecting the France skipper was a relatively easy choice.
RB: Kyle Walker
Spurs’ back four is one of the best in the country and Walker is fundamental to that, providing assists and defensive cover with lots of pace to burn.
He is England’s number one choice ahead of Nathaniel Clyne and whilst he disappointed at the Euros, especially when he was at fault for Iceland’s equalising goals, he should continue to represent his country there.
He has healthy competition at Spurs with Trippier providing reliable enough back up. In terms of West Ham’s options, Sam Byram doesn’t come close – and is currently injured anyway!
CB: Toby Alderweireld
Alderweireld is arguably the finest defender in the Premier League. He makes so few mistakes or fouls and is rarely carded. According to Whoscored.com, of all the West Ham and Spurs defenders, he concedes the fewest fouls per game.
He played for Atletico Madrid, who let him leave for Southampton on a season-long loan deal in 2014. Spurs capitalised after seeing how fantastic he was for the Saints and snapped him up.
He is just returning to full fitness and Spurs fans will welcome that news.
CB: Winston Reid
We’re loathed to break up what has been the best back four in the Premier League this season but if there’s one weak link, it’s Jan Vertonghen.
He’s the perfect partner for Toby Alderweireld but the Belgium international has never come close to matching the form of his debut campaign at White Hart Lane and is now 29 years of age.
Winston Reid, meanwhile, has always seemed capable of testing himself at a higher level and remains West Ham’s leader at the back with a captain-like presence. Hammers fans will be hoping he’s fit for Saturday after an injury scare.
LB: Danny Rose
The English left-back has come on leaps and bounds under the guidance of Mauricio Pochettino.
He is a shoo-in for this position, but we also have high hopes for the most recent England international Aaron Cresswell at FanCast headquarters.
West Ham signed him from Ipswich a couple of seasons ago and he hasn’t disappointed. In due course, we expect to see him fighting with the rest of the impressive batch of England left-backs.
CM: Mark Noble
Eric Dier has been fantastic at Spurs but we think Noble has been stitched up by staying at West Ham throughout his whole career. He was good enough to make the step up but will go down as a legend at the club.
According to Whoscored.com, Noble has the best passing accuracy of any West Ham player to make four appearances or more in the Premier League this season.
His passes find their target 89.6% of the time, which is a fantastic return for a central midfielder.
CM: Moussa Dembele
Demeble has been one of Spurs’ most influential players over the past 18 months.
When Tottenham crumbled last season, Dembele was absent and his power and strength in midfield was hugely missed.
The Belgian is another who has improved exceptionally under the stewardship of Mauricio Pochettino, after spending a few years in the wilderness at the Lane.
Our mates at Whoscored.com actually view him as the third-best player at Spurs this season with an average rating of 7.46 – just behind Danny Rose and Son Heung Min.
RW: Michail Antonio
Antonio was called up to the England squad under Sam Allardyce but didn’t make his debut.
However, he is having a cracking season at West Ham and is currently their top scorer.
According to Whoscored.com, he is second throughout the West Ham squad for most dribbles and shots per game (unsurprisingly behind the magnificent Dimitri Payet).
Nevertheless, he is a wonderful talent who adds much-needed netting prowess to the Hammers’ attack.
CAM: Dele Alli
Alli is one of the best English talents to break through in the past year. He was wonderful last season as Spurs made a challenge for the title. He is creative and clever but possesses a lot of strength, too.
He’s not quite produced the goods this season and is currently sidelined through injury. But the 20-year-old is still Spurs’ second top scorer with three goals and remains one of the most exciting players to watch in the Premier League.
LW: Dimitri Payet
Payet was magical for the Hammers last season as he guided them to a 7th place finish.
Whilst things haven’t been as good this season, he’s still pitched in with four assists in the Premier League – showing that class is permanent.
In fact, according to Whoscored.com, Payet is actually ranked as the ninth-best Premier League player this season and has created the most chances per match of anyone in the division.
ST: Harry Kane
He was disappointing for England in the Euros but won the Premier League’s Golden Boot last season and has an incredible talent for finding the net.
He’s been injured for the past month and there’s no doubt Spurs have struggled in his absence – mainly for goals.
Vincent Janssen doesn’t seem like an adequate enough replacement and upon his return to the team last week, Kane netted a penalty against fierce rivals Arsenal.
They’ll be hoping for the same against the Hammers and at only 23 years of age, there’s plenty more to come from the striker.
