Ex-West Ham and Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe is expecting a close contest when his two former teams play each other this weekend.

Speaking to Gambling.com, Defoe said both sides could do with a morale-boosting win to kickstart their respective campaigns:

“It’s a big game for both teams really. West Ham and Tottenham are similar; they’ve had a stop-start season. West Ham’s performance against Chelsea was disappointing, but then they got a good win at home (against Ipswich)…”

“When I left West Ham and signed for Tottenham, I remember all the stick I would get from the West Ham fans every time we played them. So I know how big the game is, and it’s going to be a tough one for both teams.”

“Tottenham are at home but I think West Ham will go there confident. I always feel like you get the best version of every player in a derby. As a player, you find a little extra because you know how much it means to the fans, and it’s a special game.”

West Ham and Tottenham team news

Hammers Head Coach Julen Lopetegui has ruled out Niclas Fullkrug from playing against Spurs. The German international was a serious doubt heading into the match due to Achilles tendonitis.

Lucas Paqueta has also not been seen in training photos but that is not a surprise after returning late from international duty, with Brazil having played early on Wednesday morning (UK Time).

Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou says he has just one player unavailable. Wilson Odobert has been ruled out with a hamstring injury. Captain Son Heung-min, Richarlison and Lucas Bergvall have won their fitness battles.

London Derby Head-to-Head

West Ham won on their last visit to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with goals from Jarrod Bowen and James Ward-Prowse sealing a 2-1 win after Cristian Romero put the home side ahead.

In the last meeting at the London Stadium, the two teams shared the points, with Kurt Zouma cancelling out an early Brennan Johnson goal.

Find out who is in West Ham’s first-team squad for the 2024/2025 season here