Barclays Premier League
25TH FEBRUARY 2013 – KICK OFF 20:00
By Rob Parrish
Tottenham can climb above Chelsea and into third place in the Premier League table with victory over West Ham at Upton Park in Monday night’s London derby.
Chelsea’s 2-0 defeat against champions Manchester City on Sunday means Andre Villas-Boas’ men are now just a point adrift of Rafa Benitez’s Blues heading into the final stages of the season.
West Ham, meanwhile, are only six points above the relegation places after a run of six defeats in their last 10 matches, with just two victories secured during that spell.
Gareth Bale has been the catalyst for Tottenham’s impressive recent form, with the Wales international having scored 10 goals in his last 12 Premier League appearances during Spurs’ 10-game unbeaten run.
Bale was on target in the 3-1 victory for Spurs when the two teams met at White Hart Lane back in November when Jermain Defoe, who misses out this time around through injury, bagged a brace.
Recent form between the two teams is firmly in Tottenham’s favour, with West Ham scoring just three goals in their last eight Premier League games against Spurs and losing three of their last five Upton Park meetings with the north London club.
West Ham:
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce has confirmed both James Collins and Joey O’Brien have been training this week and are in contention for the clash with Spurs.
Collins has been missing due to a hamstring problem whilst fellow defender O’Brien was sidelined with a thigh injury but both are now part of Allardyce’s squad for the London derby.
George McCartney (knee) is also on the comeback trail but the game on Monday will come too soon for him.
Tottenham:
Hugo Lloris is expected to return in goal for Tottenham after being on the bench for Thursday’s Europa League draw at Lyon.
England striker Defoe (ankle) returns to training next week, but he will not be considered for the match against his former club.
Younes Kaboul, Sandro and Tom Huddlestone (all knee) are unavailable.
