The next Premier London Derby (PLDs) match will be at the London Stadium where West Ham United will entertain, and that is the nature of their football these days, Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday 21 February 2021 in the Premier League (PL). In this condensed in time season of 2020-21 with usually 2 games a week it is difficult to pick a mid-point to the season but certainly the form of these 2 London rivals has changed dramatically over their last 5 Premier League matches.
After 19 games the Hammers (9W,5D,5L) were 7th on 32 points and Spurs (9W,6D,3L) 5thwith 33 points. Five games later and the east Londoners have usurped their north London rival’s 5th place, who have slipped to 9th. West Ham United have found good form based on strong team spirit, good football and leadership, taking 10 points (42 from 24) and improving their goal difference by 4. In contrast Tottenham Hotspur have picked up only 3 points (36 from 23) and their goal difference has worsened by 5. Rumours abound about unhappiness in the dressing room and on the pitch.
In the upcoming fixture itself previous scores have been: 1-0 in 2016-17; 2-3 in 2017-18; 0-1 in 2018-19; and 2-3 in 2019-20 in Jose Mourinho’s first PLDs match as a Spurs Manager/Head Coach. History points one way, form another and then there was the 3-3 draw at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium earlier in the season. Spurs may point to the 10 Europa League matches they have played as the reason if things do not go their way.
That is form, and fortune? Well both Clubs have giant stadia to fill and are probably losing £3-5 million in match day revenue each home game. Tottenham are carrying the heaviest debt and will always say that West Ham got a very good deal on the London Stadium. Dele Allihas been recently quoted as saying Chelsea, not Arsenal are really Tottenham Hotspur’sbiggest rivals, but this match away to West Ham United will take some beating.
Until next time, remember “Hands, Face, Space”, and enjoy your football, Andrew at PLDs.