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Tottenham vs. West Ham preview: 5 keys to the match

By Rucker Haringey

LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 22: Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur shoots at goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United at White Hart Lane on November 22, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 22: Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur shoots at goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United at White Hart Lane on November 22, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 08: Olivier Giroud of Arsenal reacts after missing a chance as Harry Kane, Erik Lamela and Eric Dier of Tottenham Hotspur look on during the Barclays Premier League match between Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur at Emirates Stadium on November 8, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 08: Olivier Giroud of Arsenal reacts after missing a chance as Harry Kane, Erik Lamela and Eric Dier of Tottenham Hotspur look on during the Barclays Premier League match between Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur at Emirates Stadium on November 8, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images) /

5. Will Tottenham be caught looking ahead to Arsenal?

With all due respect to West Ham, there’s no question that Tottenham believes Arsenal to be their greatest rival. With an immense North London Derby looming on the weekend, Spurs must be careful not to lose their focus on today’s match.

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No doubt Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino has been preaching the need to focus on West Ham to his players all week. Still, it’s going to be a challenge not to look ahead just a little bit to the Arsenal showdown. Fortunately for Spurs fans, the team’s opportunity to go top of the table should help bring the squad’s focus back on the task at hand.

Even if the player focus is on West Ham as it should be, Pochettino has some decisions to make. He’ll know that Tottenham’s management and fan base will be desperate to defeat Arsenal at home. It’s possible that desire could influence his team selection slightly for today’s match. Would he dare rest a key attacker in anticipation of the Arsenal match?

West Ham certainly won’t have their attention anywhere other than this match. That gives them a pretty serious edge today. Even if Spurs fans don’t think this fixture is a proper derby, if West Ham thinks it is, they’ll play like it.

Next: 4. The West Ham right side

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