Playing for 90
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5 reasons Tottenham will smash West Ham- Tactics and emotions will both play a part

By Rucker Haringey

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 30: Dele Alli of Tottenham Hotspur and Mauricio Pochettino, Manager of Tottenham Hotspur embrace after he is subbed during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal at White Hart Lane on April 30, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 30: Dele Alli of Tottenham Hotspur and Mauricio Pochettino, Manager of Tottenham Hotspur embrace after he is subbed during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal at White Hart Lane on April 30, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 30: Victor Wanyama of Tottenham Hotspur and Aaron Ramsey of Arsenal battle for possession during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal at White Hart Lane on April 30, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 30: Victor Wanyama of Tottenham Hotspur and Aaron Ramsey of Arsenal battle for possession during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal at White Hart Lane on April 30, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) /

3. Wanyama can stifle Lanzini

Given West Ham’s dearth of talent up front, they’re forced to rely on attacking midfielder Manuel Lanzini to create the bulk of their chances. He’s an excellent number ten, but he’s running up against one of the most rugged central defenses in the Premier League today.

In particular, Lanzini will be forced to deal with Victor Wanyama all match long. That’s not a great matchup for the relatively slight attacker. He will struggle mightily to find space with the powerful Kenyan hunting him down at every opportunity.

Even worse for Lanzini, is the reality that he’ll likely spend most of the match trying to defend in his own end. Wanyama will find a way to punish him physically there too. He’s very fond of dribbling at opposing attackers for the sole purpose of hammering them after the ball’s played on. It’s not dirty per se, but it’s not exactly football either.

Even if Lanzini manages to wriggle free of Wanyama, he still will be forced to contend with Moussa Dembele. That isn’t going to be a picnic either. Expect Lanzini to have a long, frustrating afternoon going up against Pochettino’s double-pivot.

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