West Ham fans will be left admiring Big Sam after third Spurs swatting
Published:Tottenham have taken 10 points from their last four Premier League matches compared to West Ham’s zero, but it is the head-to-head figures that should sway your betting for their final showdown of the season.
West Ham have triumphed twice at White Hart Lane this term yet are a delectable 3/1 to make it three victories from three on their turn to play hosts, with the draw 5/2 and Spurs 10/11 favourites.
The argument that the Irons are in ropey form and plagued by anti-Sam Allardyce sentiment in the stands can be discounted merely by referencing the two meetings between the sides in late 2013.
West Ham were winless in five league fixtures before their first north London venture of the campaign, whereas Tottenham started that weekend joint-second, but it was the less celebrated capital club that emerged 3-0 winners.
Similarly, ahead of their Capital One Cup quarter-final, the bubble blowers had gone three games without success and won just one in nine against top-flight opposition since their last day out at White Hart Lane, only to prevail 2-1.
Big Sam – or “Fat Sam” as his detractors prefer – wasn’t a fan favourite leading into those encounters either, though discontent was shelved for 90 minutes each time to focus all energy on defeating their rivals, as will surely happen again.
Another promising omen is that both prior wins over their neighbours were achieved without Andy Carroll, who scored home and away against the Lilywhites during his debut season at West Ham.
Spurs were beaten on their penultimate visit to the Boleyn Ground and had Gareth Bale to thank for avoiding a repeat last year, with the Welsh superstar striking twice in a match that his team trailed, including a glorious late clincher.
Tim Sherwood’s men haven’t been too hot on their travels recently either. Having previously been Premier League leaders in demonstrating how to prosper on the road, their last five trips have yielded four points and 12 goals against.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
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