Tottenham Pre Match Preview!

So here we are just one night away from the first Premier League game of the new season. What better way for the Hammers to kick start a successful campaign than a victory against bitter rivals Tottenham Hotspur! Let's take an in depth look at the game and all the surrounding news for this hotly anticipated fixture.

                        

Match day 1 - VS Tottenham Hotspur

Kick off - 3pm Saturday 16th August

Previous season results - premier league (A)  W 3-0   (H)  W 2-0  Capital One Cup  (A) 2-1

Likely starting line ups - 

West Ham                                                      Tottenham

Predicted score line - 1-1

Team news 

West Ham will be pleased to announce an almost fully fit squad after their injury hit season last year, although they will still be without star striker Andy Carroll and with Guy Demel and new signing Carl Jenkinson looking set to miss the first game, the hammers will put their faith in reliable Joey O'Brien. 

The Hammers have spent well over the summer with 7 new signings, bolstering Big Sam's squad ahead of an important season. They have particularly improved upfront with the signings of Zarate, Sakho and Valencia. Valencia seems an excellent signing after a great World Cup and will be hoping to make an instant impact in the Premier League. At the moment he is not 100% fit but in the gaffer'a pre game conference he announced that he could potentially play a small role in this fixture, with Carlton Cole looking set to start against Spurs. Allardyce looks set to hand debuts to new signings Cresswell, Kouyate and Zarate who will all be hoping to impress in their first competitive game at Upton Park. 

Tottenham have injury concerns themselves with Vertongen and Kyle Walker being major absentees for this game. This will give new boss Pochettino an early opportunity to test new signings Eric Dier and Ben Davies, who will be eager to impress and push for regular positions. Tottenham have also made the signing of Yedlin but his recent arrival may mean he will miss this fixture. Spurs will be hoping that the likes of Lamela and Soldado will start to prove their worth this season, although Tottenham still have ever reliable Adebayor up front. Lewis Holtby could also push for a start with a decent pre season, after a year out on loan at recently promoted QPR. It seems like he will get more chances this season with places up for grabs in the centre.

Predictions

This is an interesting fixture which could go either way as both team possess the ability to cause problems. On the day I feel West Ham will be too stubborn in defence and do not seem to have fully adapted to their new attacking style so I expect the game will end in a draw. My gut feeling is a bore draw but I can see both teams scoring one with defensive issues surrounding both sides. 

Nevertheless I am always optimistic of an Irons victory and against a team we beat three times last season who knows what will happen Come on you irons!!!!