West Ham United have the task of trying to dent Tottenham Hotspur's Premier League title hopes while at the same time trying to extend their unbeaten home record to 14 games on Wednesday night.
Beating their London rivals at Upton Park could send the Hammers into the top five of the table, while Spurs have the chance to go top.
West Ham United
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All London derbies are special occasions, but this match could be a pivotal one as West Ham are chasing a Champions League spot and Spurs are surprise contenders for the league title.
When Slaven Bilic was appointed Sam Allardyce's successor last summer the first priority was to ensure that the Hammers move into the Olympic Stadium at the end of this season as a Premier League club.
Not only has he done that, the former Besiktas boss has created a team worthy of fighting for a European spot. West Ham find themselves sixth in the league table, one point behind fifth-placed Manchester United and four adrift of Manchester City, who occupy the final Champions League place.
The team have performed at a high level throughout the season and having Dimitri Payet among their ranks has been crucial as the Frenchman has added flare and influence to the side, despite having a spell on the sidelines with injury.
West Ham have turned Upton Park into a fortress over the last few months as they have not been beaten in their last 13 games in all competitions - winning eight and recording five draws.
Bilic's team have also been able to keep their opponents out of the goal in their last six home games in the league and signs for the remaining 11 league games of the season are encouraging as their 43 points tally is their best at this stage in a campaign.
With regards to West Ham's form at the other end of the pitch, Michail Antonio is in good standing as he has scored in four of his last five league games on home turf.
While this game is promising to be an exciting encounter, measures are being put in place to keep things clean away from the field. West Ham's board recently issued a statement warning supporters that there is a "zero tolerance" policy should there be trouble in the crowd.
There have been previous warnings against anti-Semitic chanting ahead of these games and four years ago a supporter was banned for life for displaying an offensive gesture at White Hart Lane.
Recent form: LDWLDW
Recent form (all competitions): WLWDWW
Tottenham Hotspur
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Not many people would have tipped Tottenham Hotspur as contenders for the Premier League title at the beginning of the season, but that is exactly what has transpired.
Mauricio Pochettino has worked wonders with one of the youngest teams in the division and it is a realistic possibility that they will be crowned English champions in May for the first time since 1961 as they are just two points behind leaders Leicester City.
Considering the fact that both Chelsea and Manchester United dropped out of the running a few months ago, this has arguably been the best opportunity in years for the likes of Spurs and Leicester to get involved.
The North London outfit are regularly considered as top-four candidates at the start of every season, but they have gone that step further, largely down to the form of Harry Kane and Dele Alli, who is competing in his first campaign at Spurs.
The midfielder has scored seven goals so far, while his teammate and star striker Kane has found the back of the net 21 times in all competitions.
Pochettino has got the team playing with fluidity, pace and threat, and at the weekend they showed spirit as they came from behind to seal a 2-1 win over Swansea City at White Hart Lane.
Nacer Chadli and Danny Rose scored inside seven minutes to claim victory and put themselves in a very strong position given that their North London rivals Arsenal lost to Manchester United on the same day.
At the moment Arsenal are three points behind Spurs in third place and Pochettino's men will have the chance to extend that gap further with a win on Wednesday, but they need to rely on Swansea getting something out of tomorrow's game at the Emirates.
Spurs face a difficult test at Upton Park, but they have strong away form as they are unbeaten in their last 12 league games on the road having won seven and drawn five.
Also, Spurs, who have won their last six in the division, have only conceded 11 goals in their last 14 top-flight fixtures.
Recent form: WWWWWW
Recent form (all competitions): WWDLWW
Team News
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West Ham have received a big boost ahead of Wednesday's game as Diafra Sakho could be involved after three months out of action.
The forward has been on the treatment table with a thigh injury, but Bilic told reporters in his press conference on Tuesday that Sakho could be in the squad for the clash.
Andy Carroll could also be in the matchday group, but is likely to appear off the bench should he play at Upton Park, while Winston Reid, James Tomkins, Joey O'Brien, Enner Valencia and suspended Sam Byram will not feature.
As for Spurs, Pochettino has claimed that he may consider resting players ahead of this weekend's North London derby against Arsenal.
The Argentine has already confirmed that he will make a late call on whether or not to play Dele Alli, who hurt his ankle during the warm-up ahead of Sunday's match against Swansea.
Mousa Dembele is unlikely to be involved, but he could return from a groin strain in time to face the Gunners on Saturday.
West Ham United possible starting lineup:
Adrian; Henry, Collins, Ogbonna, Creswell; Kouyate, Noble, Lanzini; Antonio, Emenike, Payet
Tottenham Hotspur possible starting lineup:
Lloris; Rose, Alderweireld, Wimmer, Walker; Dier, Mason; Chadli, Eriksen, Lamela; Kane
Head To Head
Tottenham have the upper hand as they grabbed a 4-1 win over West Ham at White Hart Lane in April, with Kane scoring twice, Toby Alderweireld netting and Kyle Walker getting in on the action. Manuel Lanzini scored a consolation goal for the Hammers.
Overall, Spurs have a better record in the head to heads as they have won 11 of their last 17 Premier League games against West Ham, who have won just three and the remaining three were drawn.
In terms of goals, there have been five scored in the final 10 minutes of the last three matches between the two sides, and Kane enjoys playing against his London rivals as he has netted three goals and created one assist in four league appearances against them.
This fixture at Upton Park can sometimes turn fiery as there have been three red cards issued in the last two games between the teams at West Ham's home.
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We say: West Ham United 1-1 Tottenham Hotspur
Both sides have plenty to play for in the final 11 Premier League games of the season and this result could be pivotal. Tottenham have the history books in their favour and they have huge incentive to get a result given that they are just two points off top spot in the table. West Ham, though, have not been beaten in their last 13 home games in all competitions and they are more than capable of halting Spurs' campaign. It could be a tense affair with both teams taking a share of the spoils.
Danielle Joynson
