Spurs’ Opportunity Grows: West Ham to Face Derby Without TWO Vital Star Players, Boosting Tottenham’s Prospects as Ange Postecoglou confirmed TWO Injured Stars Fit and Will be Available [Full story link in comment]
Despite losing the reverse fixture Spurs will be licking their lips as West Ham now face the derby without two of their star players.
After finding some real form as an attacking force, West Ham would normally be looking forward to taking on bitter rivals Tottenham Hotspur.
Spurs visit the London Stadium in the Premier League on Tuesday night chasing a Champions League spot.
The Hammers have their eyes on qualifying for Europe for a fourth consecutive season too.
So there’s plenty to play for when Ange Postecoglou brings his all-out attacking Tottenham side to face David Moyes’ counter-attackers.
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Form of Holy Trinity gives Hammers hope
Given the form of West Ham’s Holy Trinity of Lucas Paqueta, Jarrod Bowen and Mohammed Kudus, fans and the manager should be feeling confident.
But Spurs will be licking their lips as West Ham now face the derby without two of their star players.
Obviously focused on their own team, Tottenham fans may not realise just how utterly vital Edson Alvarez is to this Hammers side.
The Mexican midfielder has been a brilliant signing and replacement for Declan Rice.
He helps West Ham control the midfield battle and offers crucial protection to a back four which has shown a propensity to ship goals without him.
The latest case in point being the four conceded at Newcastle without Alvarez in the side.
And he also threads West Ham’s play together more coherently, offering reassurance and control in the middle of the park.
Spurs will feel confident with key West Ham duo ruled out
El Machin is suspended for the Tottenham game – the last of his two-match Premier League ban for picking up 10 yellow cards.
With Kalvin Phillips quite literally a walking disaster, it leaves a very worrying hole in West Ham’s midfield which Tottenham have the players to exploit.
Behind Alvarez and the attackers, one of the undisputed players of West Ham’s season so far has been Alphonse Areola.
Players must fill Alvarez void
But the 6ft 5in Frenchman joins Alvarez in being unavailable for Tottenham due to an injury picked up at Newcastle.
While Lukasz Fabianski is an able and experienced deputy, Areola is far more mobile, faster off his line and has better kicking than the reliable but ageing Pole.
Spurs fans may be focusing on the likes of Paqueta, Bowen and Kudus for the big clash.
But they should realise the absence of Alvarez and Areola is a major blow for the hosts.
Moyes will just have to hope other players step up in their absence. But history this season tells us when Alvarez doesn’t play, West Ham rarely win.
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