Harry Redknapp is in a unique position to assess West Ham United’s huge clash against Tottenham Hotspur this Sunday.
West Ham’s forgotten man could come back to haunt Spurs boss Mourinho
Having managed both – somewhat controversially in the eyes of many West Ham fans – Redknapp was asked his thoughts on the game when speaking to talkSPORT.
David Moyes has transformed West Ham from relegation survivors to European contenders.
The Hammers sit fifth in the table, level on points with fourth-placed Chelsea.
Tottenham meanwhile have lost four of their last five Premier League games and sit ninth going into the match.
And ex Hammers and Spurs boss Redknapp says it looks a ‘tough one for Tottenham’.
‘Tough one for Tottenham’ – Redknapp delivers his verdict
“Oh it’s a tough game for Tottenham,” Redknapp said on talkSPORT.
“West Ham are going ever so well aren’t they?
“I mean what a job David’s done there. Without sitting on the fence… it could end up a draw. But West Ham look good and Tottenham are out of sorts, it’s tough that game for Spurs.
“David’s got them organised full of confidence, they’re in form.”
BBC Sport pundit Mark Lawrenson doesn’t agree.
He is backing Jose Mourinho’s Tottenham to beat the Hammers at the London Stadium.
Both clubs wait on availability of big strikers
Much could depend on the availability of the two strikers for West Ham and Tottenham.
Spurs talisman Harry Kane sat out their 4-1 Europa League last 32 win over Austrian side Wolfsberg last night.
And for West Ham Michail Antonio could return to the squad after missing the last two games.
Historically Tottenham are the dominant side in this particular rivalry.
The north Londoners have won 98 of the 215 games between the two sides.
Tottenham have historic edge but Hammers have been making a comeback in recent years
West Ham have won 64 with the other 53 ending in draws.
Seven of West Ham’s wins have come in the last seven years, though, in all competitions.
The Hammers famously took the bragging rights when Antonio scored the only goal as they became the first team to win at Tottenham’s new stadium back in April 2019.
West Ham and Tottenham were involved in one of the games of the season so far in the reverse fixture.
Spurs coasted into a 3-0 lead but West Ham launched a stunning comeback, in the last 10 minutes to draw 3-3, capped off by Manuel Lanzini’s goal of the season contender.
West Ham lost both league games to Spurs last season.
A win for West Ham over Spurs would consolidate their place in the European mix and put them nine points ahead of their London rivals.
Victory for Mourinho’s out of sorts visitors would cut the gap to just three points.
So it really is the proverbial ‘six-pointer’ when it comes to the race for the European places.
Major problems for Tottenham ahead of West Ham clash – reports
Receive a digest of our best West Ham content each week direct to your mailbox
