Spurs are known to play a low block which draws the opposition onto them but allows them few good opportunities. This style means Spurs allow the 4th most shots per 90 of any team in the league at 14.22. Despite being 16th, only the top 6 and Liverpool have more shots per 90 than West Ham with an average shooting distance that is the third highest in the league. I expect West Ham to have a decent number of shots in this match despite being away from home in this game.

Emerson has been playing at left wing-back for West Ham recently and has an attacking side to his game. The Italian is good at getting into the box at the far post on crosses and gets a good number of shots away. He has had at least 1 shot in 7 of his last 9 matches he has started at left wing-back and up against opposition that also use wing-backs, he will have opportunities to get forward. He is having shots when he plays at the moment and Spurs’ system will give him a good chance at a shot in this match.

Spurs average 5.87 corners per match and at home they almost always have at least 5 corners. In home league games, only against Arsenal and Manchester City have they failed to have over 4.5 corners. Even in these matches against Arsenal and Manchester City, they had 4 corners both times.

West Ham concede 4.86 corners per 90 and away from home against top teams they often adopt a defensive attitude that means they concede more corners. Away against Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United, West Ham conceded over 4.5 corners every time.

I see a similar pattern in this match, West Ham with their back three play a narrow formation that means their opposition to get into positions that win corners. Spurs should sail over 4.5 corners pretty comfortably in this match.

West Ham will be playing on the counter in this match and some of their central players draw a lot of fouls. Bowen runs inside and Antonio is a big physical presence and they both draw most of West Ham’s fouls.

Bowen draws 1.87 fouls per 90 and Antonio draws 1.97 fouls per 90, they will both have opportunities to run at Romero in this match. Romero commits 1.65 fouls per 90 and he really struggles against players that run at him. Since returning from the World Cup, Romero has committed 2 or more fouls in 4 of his 7 matches.

Against teams like Fulham, Arsenal and Aston Villa that have players that run against the opposition he committed 2+ fouls. I see Romero really struggling, particularly against Antonio, he will embrace the physical battle but I expect this to result in him committing a few fouls.

After missing the midweek fixture due to suspension, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg will come straight back into Spurs’ midfield for this game. Having had the rest in midweek he will be vital to Spurs in this match if they are to win in this game but will have to work hard as he will be paired in midfield with a squad rotation player. It will either be Sarr or Skipp that pairs with Hojbjerg in midfield so there could be a lack of chemistry between the two that leads to being out of position and late tackles being made.

Hojbjerg averages 1.01 fouls per 90 this season and the Spurs man has committed at least 1 foul in 7 of his last 8 matches for the club and has even conceded 2 fouls in 4 of these 8 matches. Hojbjerg has committed a lot of fouls recently and against West Ham he looks good value to commit just 1 foul in this match.