Tottenham Hotspur will have high hopes of extending their positive run of 11 consecutive league matches without defeat tomorrow when they play London rivals West Ham at home as the Premier League returns after the international break.
Spurs’ only upset came on the opening day of the season, going down to Man. United away 0-1.
With Slaven Bilic in charge, West Ham have shown signs of progress this season and currently lie just below Tottenham on goal difference with 21 points – three outside the Champions League zone.
A top-four finish is there for Mau-ricio Pochettino’s side to claim as Nabil Bentaleb could make his first appearance since August this weekend after returning to action with Algeria.
Harry Kane claims his life ‘has changed a lot’ following his rise to fame, but hopes there’s more to come for Tottenham and England.
The striker is back among the goals following a barren start to the season. He has now hit seven goals in the last nine games for Spurs.
According to statistics, the Hammers have a better record compared to any other club when it comes to the length of time they have given managers over the years.
Since 1898, West Ham have had just 17 managers, enjoying an average of 2,431 days in the job, more than six-and-a-half years each.
Records of the last 10 seasons speak loudly in favour of Spurs, having won six matches to the Hammers’ one at White Hart Lane.
2015: Spurs-West Ham - 2-2
2013: Spurs-West Ham - 0-3
2012: Spurs-West Ham - 3-1
2011: Spurs-West Ham - 0-0
2009: Spurs-West Ham - 2-0
2009: Spurs-West Ham - 1-0
2008: Spurs-West Ham - 4-0
2006: Spurs-West Ham - 1-0
2005: Spurs-West Ham - 1-1
2002: Spurs-West Ham - 3-2
Leaders Manchester City entertain Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium, this evening.
If available, City’s Raheem Sterling will leave no stone unturned to put one over his former club.
Kevin De Bruyne says he is enjoying the responsibility of being one of City’s chief creators in the final third this season.
Lucas Leiva told reporters this week that Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp has given him a new lease of life.
The South American appeared to be heading for a move away from Anfield in the summer but injuries to other players have handed Leiva the chance to re-establish himself as first-choice defensive midfielder.
Manchester United will be without skipper Wayne Rooney, Marouane Fellaini, Michael Carrick and Anthony Martial for their visit to Watford today.
Manager Louis van Gaal confirmed their absence, saying that 19-year-old James Wilson, who has only played for eight minutes in the league this season, would lead the front line.
United go to Watford fourth in the table, and have not conceded a goal in any of their last five matches, although goals have been hard to come by with only three scored.
Third-placed Leicester travel to the north-east to play guests to Newcastle at St James’s Park and Arsenal, second only on goal difference, will be at The Hawthorns to play West Bromwich Albion.
Gunners midfielder Jack Wilshere could make his return from a leg injury in time for the busy festive period.
Arsenal are set to offer star player Mesut Ozil a new contract, despite him having two-and-a-half years on his current deal.
Meanwhile, under-fire manager Jose Mourinho will be urging his Chelsea players to lift their game and beat Norwich at Stamford Bridge this afternoon.
Cesc Fabregas has admitted Chelsea’s nightmare start to the season is causing him sleepless nights.
Fabregas ran the show as Spain beat England 2-0 in a friendly match last week.
UK Football fixtures
Premier League
Chelsea-Norwich
Everton-Aston Villa
Man. City-Liverpool - 18:30
Newcastle-Leicester
Southampton-Stoke
Swansea-Bournemouth
Watford-Man. United - 13:45
West Brom-Arsenal
Tomorrow:
Tottenham-West Ham - 17:00
Monday:
Crystal Palace-Sunderland - 21:00
Standings: Man. City, Arsenal 26; Leicester 25; Man. Utd 24; Tottenham, West Ham 21; S’ampton 20; C. Palace 19; Everton, Liverpool 17; Watford, Stoke 16; WBA 14; Swansea 13; Norwich 12; Chelsea 11; Newcastle 10; B’mouth 7; Sunderland 6; A. Villa 5.
The Championship
Birmingham-Charlton
Brentford-Nottm Forest
Bristol City-Hull - 13:30
Derby County-Cardiff
Ipswich-Wolves
Leeds-Rotherham
MK Dons-Fulham
Preston-Blackburn
Reading-Bolton
Sheffield Wed.-Huddersfield
Tomorrow:
Burnley-Brighton - 14:15
League One
Bury-Burton
Coventry-Gillingham
Crewe-Peterborough
Doncaster-Rochdale
Fleetwood-Swindon
Millwall-Colchester
Oldham-Barnsley
Port Vale-Chesterfield
Scunthorpe-Bradford
Southend-Blackpool
Walsall-Sheffield Utd
Wigan-Shrewsbury
League Two
AFC Wimbledon-Wycombe
Barnet-Morecambe
Cambridge-Accrington
Carlisle-Portsmouth
Crawley -Bristol Rovers
Dagenham-Oxford
Leyton Orient-York
Mansfield-Hartlepool
Newport-Yeovil
Notts County-Northampton
Plymouth-Exeter
Stevenage-Luton