Tottenham Hotspur FC
West Ham United FC
West Ham United FC
Spurs primed for return of Gareth Bale as they take on Hammers in London clash
Tottenham to win 3-1
However Gareth Bale’s return at Tottenham actually goes, his arrival has certainly been the transfer story of the summer and has given Spurs’ fans so much cause for optimism this season.
He initially arrived injured, and unfit after only playing 16 times for Real Madrid last season. Reports are that he is now ready to take his place in Mourinho’s team and their attacking ability will strike fear in many teams’ hearts.
They’ve actually been in good form without him, to be fair. Their only defeat came on the first day of the season against leaders Everton, and we saw how easily they thrashed Manchester United.
West Ham have shown much improvement too, of late. Winning their past two matches after a shaky start, David Moyes looks to be shaping the team in his own style.
All eyes will be on Bale, and Tottenham, this weekend. Spurs fans will be hoping that The Hammers don’t spoil the party.
Form Guide (all comps): WDWWW
Reasons to be cheerful:
Strikers are in excellent scoring form
Morale will be sky-high after 6-1 victory over Man United
Reasons to be fearful:
Light at the back with Dier a doubt and Tanganga out
Players have played a lot of football matches over the past month
Whether or not Gareth Bale starts this game, Spurs will be favourites to beat West Ham this weekend due to their terrific form going into the International break.
Strike partners Harry Kane and Son Heung-min are in exceptional form, both scoring and assisting one another and their other teammates. Kane has 9 goal contributions already this term, Son has 7. Add the potential of a fit Gareth Bale to that front line and it gets even more interesting.
The main cause of concern currently for manager Mourinho will be keeping his players fresh and free of fatigue going into this next phase of the season.
Including England matches, Harry Kane has played in 10 matches since the start of September. Eventually, this can catch up with players involved in so many matches.
Star Man – Son Heung-min
Was outstanding in the win over Man United with two goals and an assist. In the form of his life.
Form Guide (all comps): LWWLW
Reasons to be cheerful
Secured back to back wins over Wolves and Leicester
Forward players have hit good form
Reasons to be fearful
Inconsistent form could prove a worry
Their opponents are in fine form and out for another big win
Few would have predicted that West Ham would have followed poor performances in their first two defeats of the season with two excellent wins. Especially against strong teams like Wolves and Leicester.
But that’s exactly what they achieved and with some style, too.
Jarrod Bowen sparked into life with his first goals since January as they thrashed Wolves 4-0, before scoring again in another clean sheet victory against Leicester, who were fresh from thrashing Man City the week before.
He’s one player who has stepped up the plate recently and has helped to turn around a bleak start for the Hammers.
Antonio is also in fine scoring form – scoring as many goals (10) in his last previous 11 matches as he did in his previous 64. It will be this kind of form that decides where the Hammers finish this season.
Star Man – Jarrod Bowen
Three goals in his last two league matches, the attacking winger is showing fine form.
If Bale plays, expect a goal or assist
Kane, Son or both are likely to get onto the scoresheet
West Ham could pinch a goal if they play well
Spurs are certainly favourites to win this one.
Even if Bale does not play, they have more than enough attacking firepower to see off West Ham. Kane and Son are in exceptional form and one or both are likely to score this weekend.
West Ham have some quality themselves – Antonio and Bowen can both create problems for Spurs. But unless they can put multiple goals past Hugo Lloris then Spurs are likely to outscore them.
All eyes, and TV cameras, are likely to be on Gareth Bale whether he gets on the pitch or not.
Tottenham to win 3-1
