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2022/23 English Premier League
Matchday 24
Tottenham Hotspur v West Ham United
Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
London, England
Sunday, 19 February 2023
Kick-off is at 18h30
Tottenham have a chance to climb back into the
Premier League's top four when they lock horns with West Ham in a London derby at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday, February 19.
Spurs dropped out of the Champions League places due to their inconsistent form in recent months, winning three, drawing one and losing four of their eight games in November, December and January.
Antonio Conte's side pulled off a surprise 1-0 victory over Manchester City on February 5 but slumped to a disappointing 4-1 defeat against Leicester last Saturday.
The north Londoners trail fourth-placed Newcastle by just two points in fifth position, although they are well off the pace in title race with a 12-point gap to league leaders Arsenal and nine behind the Citizens, who occupy second spot.
Image copyright: Getty Images
The Hammers have struggled to replicate the form that saw them finish seventh in the standings last term.
David Moyes' team have only won one of their last 10 games but they did manage to take points off the Magpies and Chelsea most recently following back-to-back 1-1 draws.
The east London outfit remain in trouble at the wrong end of the table, however, with the point gained against the Blues taking them two points clear of the relegation zone in 16th position.
Southampton bring up the rear on 15 points, with Bournemouth (19th) and Everton (18th) tied on 18 points, while Leeds are just one clear of the bottom three in 17th spot.
Harry Kane has been crucial to Tottenham's push for Champions League football, with the striker second in the scoring charts on 17 goals. He is the club's all-time top scorer after surpassing Spurs icon Jimmy Greaves with his 276th goal in the recent win over City.
Part of West Ham's problem has been their lack of goals in 2022-23 after scoring just 19 times in their 22 matches - the fourth-worst record in the Premier League. Jarrod Bowen is their top scorer this season with four goals, although that is some way off the 12 he registered in the previous campaign. The winger hasn't found the back of the net in his last two outings after bagging a brace against Everton.
In team news, the hosts must do without Rodrigo Bentancur for the rest of the season after he sustained a cruciate ligament injury against Leicester. The Uruguayan midfielder is joined on the sidelines by Hugo Lloris (knee) and Yves Bissouma (ankle), while Cristian Romero is suspended for the derby.
The visitors are missing several first-team players, with Alphonse Areola, Nayef Aguerd (both thigh) and Lucas Paqueta (shoulder) not expected back any time soon. Aaron Cresswell is ruled out through illness, while Kurt Zouma (thigh), Maxwel Cornet (leg) and Gianluca Scamacca (knee) are all closing in on a return.
Conte's assistant, Cristian Stellini, struggled to explain their capitulation against the Foxes, having taken the lead through Bentancur after just 14 minutes.
"Maybe we thought it was easier than normal, but this is the worst mistake you can make in this type of game," Stellini told SPURSPLAY.
"It's really difficult to explain, because after the start we scored, we had a great advantage, also mentally, to create more problems. Maybe, I repeat, we thought it was easier, and that was a mistake."
Moyes is hoping to build on West Ham's recent performances as they look to put some more distance between themselves and the drop zone.
"We need to try and keep the run going now [after one defeat in seven in all competitions and no defeats in our last three in the Premier League]," the Scot said.
"We need to keep picking up points. Three points is what we need really and I thought with the one at the end [Soucek's goal which was ruled out following a VAR check for offside], maybe it's our day, we're nicking one late on and maybe winning a game which didn't look like it, but unfortunately it's ruled out."
Head-to-Head (Last Five Premier League Meetings)
Matches - 5
Tottenham - 1
West Ham - 2
Draws - 2
Premier League fixtures - matchday 24:
Saturday, February 18
14h30: Aston Villa v Arsenal
17h00: Brentford v Crystal Palace
17h00: Brighton & Hove Albion v Fulham
17h00: Chelsea v Southampton
17h00: Everton v Leeds United
17h00: Nottingham Forest v Manchester City
17h00: Wolverhampton Wanderers v Bournemouth
19h30: Newcastle United v Liverpool
Sunday, February 19
16h00: Manchester United v Leicester City
18h30: Tottenham Hotspur v West Ham United
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