Tottenham Hotspur hopes to return to their winning ways when they clash with nearby rivals West Ham in their Premier League match on Boxing Day. It is a vital fight for the European qualifications as the Spurs frantically try to for a vital foothold at the top four of the league.
Tottenham is enjoying an incredible run this season and has lost just once inside all forms of the competition since the Italian took over. They go into the match against the Hammers after snatching a well-earned point in their 2-all draw against Liverpool.
Tottenham come off the match against Liverpool feeling that they could have wrapped up the game and earned the full 3 points.
West Ham on the other hand is enduring a long trophy drought. They won their last major trophy way back in 1980 when they won the FA Cup. Their positive start this season on both the European and domestic fronts has given them hope that they could bring home some silverware.
However, compared to Tottenham, the Hammers have suffered recent setbacks, and they have stumbled in their race to the top 4 as they went down b 2 goals to nil against Arsenal, and another lackluster goalless draw at Burnley.
Tottenham have already lost the first leg to the Hammers
West Ham has already beaten Tottenham in the first half of the season with a 1 goal win. Son, Moura, and Skipp were all involved in the 2 goal draw against Liverpool. Manager Conte has a greater choice of players as they return from a COVID-induced quarantine.
Hojbjerg has been absent among the regulars and is a doubtful starter again. Gollini, Gil, and Scarlett are also doubtful about this game. Romero remains on the sidelines with an injured thigh. Those are the only injury concerns for Tottenham.
Conte is expected to go for his 3-4-3 lineup, his preferred choice this season.
West Ham has a severely weak backline. They will be without both Zouma and Ogbonna out due to injuries. Left-back Creswell is also injured while Coufal is out with a red card against Arsenal.
