Tottenham host West Ham in the Premier League on Sunday looking to build on their impressive run of form prior to the international break.
During a gruelling run of four games in eight days, Spurs secured wins in the Carabao Cup and Europa League and picked up four points in two league fixtures – including the 6-1 thrashing of Manchester United at Old Trafford.
West Ham are in equally impressive form, scoring seven goals and conceding none in victories against Wolves and Leicester.
When Is Kick Off? Sunday 18 October
What Time Is Kick Off? 16:30 (BST)
Where Is it Played? Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
TV Channel/Live Stream? Sky Sports Main Event (UK), FuboTV (US)
Referee? Paul Tierney
The headline news for Tottenham revolves around whether Gareth Bale will make his second debut for the club from the outset or off the bench. He has spent time training during the international break, though Jose Mourinho may instead start with either Lucas Moura or Erik Lamela and bring the Welshman on as a substitute. Fellow new signing Carlos Vinicius could make his debut in similar fashion.
Elsewhere, a hamstring problem saw Eric Dier withdraw from England duty, so Toby Alderweireld could make his second league appearance of the season alongside Davinson Sanchez in central defence. There are further fitness doubts over Giovani Lo Celso, Steven Bergwijn and Japhet Tanganga.
Hammers manager David Moyes will be back on the touchline after his coronavirus diagnosis, with Issa Diop also available again.
Ryan Fredericks will likely be missing for the visitors, while Arthur Masuaku is also doubtful. Craig Dawson, a loan signing from Watford, could slot into West Ham’s back three for his debut.
Tottenham: Lloris; Doherty, Alderweireld, Sanchez, Reguilon; Lo Celso, Hojbjerg, Ndombele; Lucas, Kane, Son.
West Ham: Fabianski; Coufal, Dawson, Diop, Ogbonna, Cresswell; Bowen, Soucek, Rice, Fornals; Antonio.
Things are looking up for Tottenham. A dismal opening day defeat to Everton has been brushed under the carpet by a billion wins in Europa League qualifying, the penalty shootout victory against Chelsea in the Carabao Cup, and thumping wins against Southampton and Manchester United in the league.
It’s a similar story for West Ham, who also lost on the first weekend of the season before finding a winning formula. They were knocked out of the Carabao Cup by Everton, but impressive victories against Wolves and Leicester have masked over any ill-feeling.
Tottenham
Manchester United 1-6 Tottenham (4/10)
Tottenham 7-2 Maccabi Haifa (1/10)
Tottenham 1-1 Chelsea (29/9)
Tottenham 1-1 Newcastle (27/9)
KF Shkendija 1-3 Tottenham (24/9)
West Ham
Leicester 0-3 West Ham (4/10)
Everton 4-1 West Ham (30/9)
West Ham 4-0 Wolves (27/9)
West Ham 5-1 Hull (22/9)
Arsenal 2-1 West Ham (19/9)
This game should act as a pretty good barometer for Tottenham’s prospects this season. Mourinho’s side should have enough in attack to get West Ham, but the Irons are in good form themselves.
It should be a better game than when the two sides faced in each other in June, when a Tomas Soucek own goal and Harry Kane’s late strike secured a 2-0 victory for Spurs.
Prediction: Tottenham 2-1 West Ham