PREVIEW: Spurs desperate for home win against rivals West Ham | OneFootball

Thomas Frank’s Spurs host London rivals West Ham on Saturday, seeking just a third win of the season at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Antoine Semenyo condemned Spurs to a 3-2 defeat last time out, while the Hammers also suffered a damaging defeat by two goals to one at the hands of Nottingham Forest.

The importance of a good result speaks for itself, with the visitors six points adrift in 17th while a win for Tottenham – and favours elsewhere – could see them into the Premier League’s top half.

Frank will be without Brazilian striker Richarlison, who is set for a seven-week absence with a hamstring injury, and admitted he can only effect the factors in his control.

He said: “I only focus on what I can affect. There is a lot of noise. I know because I’ve been told and I’m not stupid.

“We want more good results but I focus on what I can see is actually working and we have to do more of that.

“It’s a big London derby but it is all about us. Hopefully we can add the first half against Sunderland and the second half against Aston Villa.”

The resurgence referenced by the Dane simply wasn’t enough to avoid a 2-1 loss to Aston Villa, who progressed from the FA Cup third round at his side’s expense.

Spurs have strengthened their midfield with the £35m signing of former Chelsea midfielder Connor Gallagher, lauding his pressing and positioning as “exactly what we need”, with more activity expected this window.

In contrast to Frank’s words, West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo played down the magnitude of their short journey north.

He said: “Must win, must lose? No. It is a game. There is a lot of football to be played but we have to realise that each game is very important for us.

“Nothing changes, it is a new game – a tough opponent and a tough place. Our focus is to go and compete.”

It is the third time in which the Portuguese has met a former employer, one of them being the 3-0 defeat to Wolves earlier in the season which he branded “embarrassing”.

He is currently monitoring the fitness of centre-back Dinos Mavropanos, Matheus Fernandes, and his want-away midfield colleague Lucas Paquetá.

Santo said he desired the transfer speculation surrounding the Brazilian’s potential move to Flamengo, who will only secure his signature by loaning him back for the remainder of 2025/26.

The London derby will kick off on Saturday afternoon at 3pm.