The Defensive Midfield
Through a weird confluence of circumstances, Tottenham should be able to start their ideal double-pivot on Saturday. Spurs’ strength in the middle of the pitch should give them enough stability to overcome Slaven Bilic’s squad.
For me, the ideal pairing is Mousa Dembele next to Victor Wanyama. If Eric Dier can return to his form from last season, he might rejoin the conversation. As it stands today, he’s well behind his Belgian and Kenyan teammates. Even if he weren’t needed at centre back, I don’t think he’d start ahead of either Dembele or Wanyama.
Dembele’s job will be to provide occasional support to the back four, while really moving the ball into West Ham’s final third. If the match goes as Tottenham would like, he’ll spend way more time looking like an attacking midfielder than a defensive one.
Wanyama, will be charged with the opposite instructions. His primary job will be to shield the back four, and will only occasional join the Tottenham attack. If he spends a lot of time in the Hammers’ half, it’s a good sign that Spurs are enjoying quite a bit of success.