Sutton's predictions: Tottenham v West Hampublished at 10:45 GMT 17 January
10:45 GMT 17 January
Tottenham's home form is miserable, with two wins in 10 league games, and there is so much angst among their fans at the moment.
Similarly, West Ham's players are probably better off away from home right now because of the animosity from their supporters inside their own stadium, but their away record is just as atrocious with only one win in 10.
This is one of those games where I like to wheel out one of my favourite sayings in football - these two teams have been so bad recently that they both could lose.
It's certainly hard to make a case for either of them to win it. I am going to go with Spurs, because new signing Conor Gallagher has plenty of energy and will add some thrust and drive to their midfield.
But it's a lot easier to predict that it will be a dismal game, with Tottenham booed off after a bang-average performance that means Thomas Frank is still under pressure despite winning.
As for Hammers boss Nuno Espirito Santo, he is just going to be in even greater danger of getting the sack.
Tottenham v West Ham: Key stats & talking pointspublished at 18:34 GMT 16 January
18:34 GMT 16 January
Noel Sliney BBC Sport senior journalist
Third-bottom West Ham make the short journey to Spurs, who have lost 15 of their past 28 domestic home games in all competitions and only won 25% of those fixtures.
This will be West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo's third successive league match against a side he has previously managed, following defeats by Wolves and Nottingham Forest.
Spurs backed into a corner
Thomas Frank talked Conor Gallagher into choosing Spurs over Aston Villa this week but for many of the Lilywhites' supporters it's deeds that matter, not words.
A chorus of boos – aimed at both Frank and the players – have provided the soundtrack to a troubled time. Tottenham have won just two of their past 12 league games to sit 14th, and are out of both domestic cups.
The arrival of industrious midfielder Gallagher is unlikely to remedy the team's well-documented lack of attacking creativity. That has led to them being reliant on corners as a source of goals, scoring 11 times from such situations. It's the joint-highest tally in the division and, at 36.7%, by far the biggest percentage of any team's overall tally.
Spurs will doubtless be targeting West Ham's defensive frailties from set-pieces; they have conceded a league-high 12 goals from corners this season.
Hammers in need of London pride
West Ham enjoyed a first victory in 64 days last weekend, beating QPR in the FA Cup third round thanks to a first goal for the club from £26m new signing Valentin 'Taty' Castellanos.
Nonetheless, a 10-match winless run in the league has yielded just four points and left them seven points from safety. It is their longest wait for a top-flight triumph since 2006-07, when they lost 4-3 to Spurs at the end of an 11-game streak. The Hammers are also yet to keep a clean sheet in 17 matches since Nuno's arrival in September.
Nuno praised his side's "fight and desire" last weekend but their dismal recent record in Premier League derbies suggests they have not shown those qualities often enough.
West Ham have lost all six of their Premier League fixtures against London opposition this season. Only two sides in top-flight history have endured longer runs; QPR's seven straight defeats in 1995-96 and a 13-match losing run for Fulham from August 2018 to November 2020.
Gossip: West Ham to lose out on defender Cresswellpublished at 07:59 GMT 16 January
07:59 GMT 16 January
West Ham look set to miss out on Toulouse defender Charlie Cresswell, 23, after Wolfsburg submitted a bid of £15.6m for the Englishman. (Athletic - subscription required), external
Nuno on Paqueta's future, incoming transfers and Tottenhampublished at 14:15 GMT 15 January
14:15 GMT 15 January
West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Tottenham at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (kick-off 15:00).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
On West Ham's performance against QPR in the FA Cup: "The result is the best thing we can hope for. I think we had a good match, it was a tough one. We went to extra time, many of our players played all the minutes, but the win always helps with the recovery. The week has been good."
On Konstantinos Mavropanos, Mateus Fernandes and Lucas Paqueta's injuries: "All of them are recovering from different things. Mavropanos is a neck thing so will take some time, it's still painful. Mateus is back doing individual sessions, and Lucas is still on treatment. Let's see. There is still a couple days to go."
On talk surrounding Lucas Paqueta's future at the club: "I think it is a situation we have to solve. All of us at the club will have to solve it, we always want our best players and he is one of our best players, so let's try solve the situation."
On Callum Wilson and James Ward-Prowse's future at the club: "We are working on ins and outs. I feel like we need to rebalance our squad, bring in more options to some positions and also find the best solution for players that aren't having minutes to go and proceed their career."
On if there are specific positions they want to improve: "There are but let me try and keep it to myself. We are working very hard as a club to find the right ones in what is a very tricky transfer window to operate. We have to make good decisions and we cannot afford mistakes."
On upcoming opponents Tottenham: "It was an honour and pleasure to manage Spurs. Things didn't go well. It is the third game in a row where we face clubs where I have managed before. Nothing changes, it's a new game, tough opponent, in a tough place, and we so need a good result. Our focus is there."
Gossip: Hammers consider lowering asking price for Paquetapublished at 07:56 GMT 15 January
07:56 GMT 15 January
West Ham will hold an internal meeting with their shareholders this weekend to discuss lowering the asking price for midfielder Lucas Paqueta, 28, who is wanted by Flamengo in his native Brazil. (ESPN), external
'Probably time we cashed in on Paqueta'published at 12:18 GMT 13 January
12:18 GMT 13 January
James Jones Fan writer
Image source, Getty Images
Lucas Paqueta's days at West Ham have been numbered ever since he was on the verge of joining Manchester City in 2023.
Spot-fixing allegations prevented that move from going through before a two-year investigation, which ended last year with the Brazil international being cleared of any wrongdoing.
But the two-year episode clearly affected the 28-year-old's form on the pitch and West Ham's struggles during that period have also been well documented.
It was reported that the midfielder was on the verge of joining Aston Villa last summer, but he opted to remain in east London, expressing his desire to repay faith in the club for their support during his fight against the FA's allegations.
But Paqueta's time at West Ham looks to have finally reached an end, with fresh reports claiming he asked not to play in the Hammers' FA Cup third-round victory over QPR on Sunday amid interest from Brazilian club Flamengo.
It's claimed the Brazil international wants a move back to his homeland after growing disillusioned with life in England.
Indeed, this presents something of a dilemma for West Ham. With Nuno Espirito Santo's side seven points adrift of Premier League safety, the squad is going to need all the help it can get between now and May, while the winter transfer window is notoriously difficult to upgrade players in key positions.
But the facts are clear where Paqueta is concerned and this should help sway the club's decision-making. The former Lyon star's assist in a recent 2-2 draw with Brighton was his first since March 2024 - a run of 62 games. For a player in the team for his creativity, that is a dire run of form.
During his entire West Ham Premier League career, he has picked up more cards (30) than he has goal contributions (26).
He's struggled for form and has become something of a disciplinary unreliability. Can West Ham risk putting all their faith in an unhappy and unreliable player to help keep them in the league?
It's probably time we cashed in on Paqueta, especially if he wants to leave. It's sad to see him leave under these circumstances, but Nuno needs happy and committed players in his squad and Paqueta is no longer one of them.
'If we sell him now we are giving up' or 'use the money to buy a centre-back'?published at 17:56 GMT 12 January
17:56 GMT 12 January
Image source, Getty Images
We asked for your views on whether West Ham should look to cash in on Lucas Paqueta this month or refuse to sanction a sale.
Here are some of your comments:
Jason: I think he has had enough and it's down to the accusations of spot-fixing. He's not been the same player since winning the Conference League. We have some great memories and I wish him well. We need some battling players now.
Kevin: If he has any thoughts of leaving he should go. We need fighters who are going to give 100% every game. We don't have many - only Bowen, Soucek and the lads that have come through the academy. A lot of our goals stem from him losing the ball then rolling around on the floor. There are flashes of brilliance, but they have never been often enough and are minimal now.
Barry: We should keep him until the end of the season and then allow him to go back to Brazil if there is a reasonable offer on the table. If we are going to try to fight for survival, we will need a player with his ability in the team. If we sell him now we are just giving up.
Roger: He is the reason I renewed my season ticket - our only player with flair and can do something different. I know he hasn't been at his best this season, but we keep selling our best players.
Pete: Cash in. No longer a key player and hasn't improved since his FA case was resolved. Use the money to buy a centre-back.
Jon: It's looking more and more likely we'll be relegated at the end of this season. I would sell sooner rather than later. If he stays or goes, I doubt it'll make much difference to our chances of survival.
Paqueta attracting more interest - cash in or hold on at all costs?published at 15:30 GMT 12 January
15:30 GMT 12 January
Image source, Getty Images
West Ham are reluctant to sanction a sale for Lucas Paqueta this month amid interest in the player from Brazil, reports BBC Sport's senior football correspondent Sami Mokbel.
Sources have indicated that at least two clubs in Paqueta's homeland, one of which is Flamengo, have shown an interest in the Brazil international in this transfer window.
Paqueta has 18 months remaining on his contract and is expected to leave West Ham either this month or in the summer.
It is understood Flamengo would be willing to table an offer of about £35m.
What do you think the Hammers should do? Should they cash in now for a good price, or is he too important to lose in the battle for Premier League survival?
West Ham 2-1 QPR (AET) - the fans' verdictpublished at 09:13 GMT 12 January
09:13 GMT 12 January
Media caption,
We asked for your views on West Ham's FA Cup victory over QPR on Sunday.
Here are some of your comments:
Sue: The players have lost confidence and seem to be scared of letting the opposition in. They need a couple of wins to start believing in themselves again. I think the new signings will help.
Mick: These two teams will meet again next season. An injury depleted QPR team didn't look out of place. Bowen needs to move on.
Bob: Great win and the FA Cup is a good distraction. We have got 17 cup finals in the league to come starting at Tottenham on Saturday and we need to win these games as a draw is not good enough anymore. Nuno's speaking all the right words but can he deliver?
Dave: At last a lucky win. Another sub-standard performance from a team whose three centre backs don't have a clue. Summerville was great and our new centre forwards look good too, but we still need Mr. Reliable to come on and help out the team. We still need centre backs and a keeper. Strange thing is unless the useless board and manager don't get us winning we will be playing QPR next season.
West Ham analysis: Castellanos scores but Summerville provides sparkpublished at 18:05 GMT 11 January
18:05 GMT 11 January
Image source, Getty Images
This was not a free-scoring victory to boost confidence and provide a template for the remainder of the season.
It was scrappy and uncomfortable at times but far better than the alternative for West Ham, who sit seven points from safety in the Premier League.
Castellanos, playing his second game for the club, will steal the headlines. His header was clinical but, in truth, it was Summerville who provided the spark the Hammers required.
The hosts, who made six changes including leaving out Lucas Paqueta while retaining Jarrod Bowen, did not have a shot in the first 32 minutes until Summerville tested QPR goalkeeper Joe Walsh. He then powered beyond Walsh with effectively the last kick of the opening half.
To their credit, West Ham responded well to QPR's equaliser, though the travelling fans were still singing: "Premier League, you're having a laugh."
As the game stretched, Summerville tested Walsh with a curling low strike and then produced a clever turn to put himself in down the left.
It allowed him the space to tee up Castellanos, who was not to be denied.
West Ham 2-1 QPR (AET): What Nuno saidpublished at 18:01 GMT 11 January
18:01 GMT 11 January
Image source, Getty Images
West Ham manager Nuno Espirito Santo, speaking to TNT Sports: "It feels every good for our fans, for our boys who have been working hard. It's been a very good day."
On what pleased him the most: "The fight, I thought it was very good, there were spells not so good, but the right belief and the character was always there."
On Konstantinos Mavropanos' injury: "It was a neck injury, he is being assess now so we will see."
On the goal before half-time: "It was important before half-time, it was important to go in at half-time leading the score."
Did you know?
West Ham United have ended a run of 10 games in all competitions without a win, while they've progressed beyond the third round of the FA Cup for the first time since 2022-23.
![A split image of Ajay Matthews [left] wearing a dark grey Millwall training top and Kaelan Casey [right] dressed in a white Swansea City strip](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/standard/800/cpsprodpb/4072/live/b62fd720-f305-11f0-b5f7-49f0357294ff.png.webp)
