Tottenham vs. West Ham – Team News and Match Preview

While we think the Lilywhites should not follow the Manchester United and Chelsea suit and stick with the man at the helm, the chiefs at Hotspur Way have already started putting an interim plan in place in the event of a possible Frank sack. And given how Spurs have struggled to put together results at home, another loss at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium would increase the scrutiny on his head.

On the other side of the fence, former Tottenham head coach Nuno Espirito Santo is also facing growing calls for his sack at London Stadium.

Tottenham vs. West Ham Match Info

Time: Tottenham vs West Ham will kick off at 3pm GMT.

Date: Saturday, January 17, 2026.

Location: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

Tottenham vs. West Ham H2H (head to head)

Tottenham wins: 103

West Ham wins: 67

Draws: 56

Tottenham vs. West Ham team news

Tottenham

This will be the first opportunity for the Lilywhites’ supporters to get a glimpse of new signing Conor Gallagher after the club officially confirmed his arrival earlier this week. The England international could replace Rodrigo Bentancur in the roster at Hotspur Way given the latter’s hamstring surgery after he picked up an injury against Bournemouth last week.

While Gallagher could make his first bow donning Spurs’ badge, Thomas Frank & Co. are set to have more boosts in terms of availability, as Lucas Bergvall may also return to fitness to compete with Archie Gray and Joao Palhinha in the middle of the park.

But while the midfield looks less thin, there are major concerns going forward. Richarlison will be a doubt after the Brazilian pulled up with a hamstring injury in the FA Cup defeat to Aston Villa. The former Everton ace joins Mohammed Kudus, Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison on the sidelines.

If Richy is not to make it for this weekend’s game, then either Randal Kolo Muani or Dominic Solanke could lead the line. But it is more realistic to have Solanke from the bench given that the club needs to manage his minutes after he only returned from his long-term injury with a brief cameo against Villa.

Then comes Destiny Udogie. He only returned to the matchday squad last weekend as well. So ideally Djed Spence should start in that left-back role this weekend.

West Ham

Coming to the Hammers, Nuno is expecting to welcome back Mateus Fernandes among the contention. While the Portuguese head coach will also have new signing Taty Castellanos up front after he scored the winner against QPR.

Lucas Paqueta will be a doubt going into the game, with headlines about a possible back injury to the Lilywhites linking the Brazilian. And at the back, former Arsenal defender Konstantinos Mavropanos is expected to miss out after he suffered that neck injury which forced him off on a stretcher in the FA Cup tie. This means that Max Kilman could partner Jean-Clair Todibo.

Tottenham vs. West Ham Preview – Tactical Brief

Thomas Frank will likely go on with a 4-3-3 / 4-2-3-1 hybrid structure for the game. If the North Londoners are to start dominating possession, we should start seeing Pedro Porro more involved in offensive sequences to make up for not having Kudus on the right.

With one Conor Gallagher involved in the game for the hosts, Frank & Co. should have far more vertical intensity and counter-pressing in midfield. And when the ball is far wide, his late runs are always a threat.

Thinking about it defensively, if the ball is there, there is no reason for Tottenham to not hold a high line for the majority of this game. The main risk will be Bowen and Summerville attacking space behind, but that can be defended by using Van de Ven in the running channel.

West Ham could also try to win some second balls, especially around the final third, given how the Lilywhites have been prone to those errors.

And thinking about it from the Hammers’ point of view, it is Nuno; he will surely try to defend the game out (maybe a compact mid-block) and try to capitalise on transitional situations.

Predicted Lineups

Tottenham lineup vs West Ham: Guglielmo Vicario, Pedro Porro, Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, Djed Spence, Joao Palhinha, Archie Gray, Xavi Simons, Wilson Odobert, Mathys Tel, Randal Kolo Muani

West Ham lineup vs Tottenham: Alphonse Aréola, Kyle Walker-Peters, Max Kilman, Jean-Clair Todibo, Oliver Scarles, Mateus Fernandes, Tomás Soucek, Jarrod Bowen, Lucas Paqueta, Crys Summerville, Taty Castellanos