- Jul 27, 2004
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Woohoo no more internationals for a while, so we can get back to the important stuff of the premier league. Now last seasons match was definitely my game of the season so lets hope for more of the same today.
The Official Site Team News:
Juande Ramos is still without a number of defenders as he prepares the team for Sunday's clash at West Ham.
Younes Kaboul is the latest doubt after picking up a thigh problem playing for France Under-21s against Wales on Tuesday.
He's joins a defensive list that inclues Ledley King, Benoit Assou-Ekotto (both knee), Anthony Gardner and Ricardo Rocha (both ankle). First team coach Gus Poyet has also indicated that Gareth Bale (foot) remains still a doubt for this weekend.
Steed Malbranque is also a question mark for Upton Park with the ankle injury he sustained last time out against Wigan.
Skysports.com Preview:
Tottenham travel to West Ham on Sunday looking to record their first away win in the Premier League at the eighth time of asking.
New manager Juande Ramos has overseen a four-match unbeaten run since replacing Martin Jol at the helm and gets his first taste of a London derby with Sunday's trip to Upton Park.
Last season's clash was one of the campaign's most memorable matches with Spurs sneaking victory in a seven-goal thriller after scoring twice in the closing stages.
After a miserable stint with injuries, Alan Curbishley appears to have a number of his key men returning to fitness.
Ashton
Striker Dean Ashton, whose hopes of making his England debut were dashed by the medial ligament injury he sustained in early October, has set his sights on returning to the squad against Spurs.
The former Norwich forward was on target in a training ground practice match against Southampton in midweek, when midfielder Scott Parker also played and scored.
Hayden Mullins, who missed the rout of Derby after suffering a bruised foot against Bolton at the start of November, is now back in full training.
And midfielder Mark Noble has also joined the rest of the squad in the past two days after undergoing a hernia operation prior to the trip to Pride Park.
Freddie Ljungberg and James Collins are expected to be available after injury, but the game is likely to come too soon for Lee Bowyer (hernia).
Duo doubtful
Spurs boss Ramos could be without the services of midfielder Steed Malbranque and defender Younes Kaboul this weekend.
Former Fulham player Malbranque sustained an ankle injury during the 4-0 romp against Wigan last time out and is rated as a doubt.
And centre-back Kaboul has added to Tottenham's defensive concerns after suffering a knock on international duty with France and will undergo a late fitness test.
skysports.com prediction: West Ham 2 Tottenham 2
BBC Match Squads (take with a pinch of salt):
Tottenham Squad (from): Robinson, Cerny, Chimbonda, Stalteri, Lee, Kaboul, Dawson, Tainio, Jenas, Zokora, Lennon, Malbranque, Boateng, Bale, Huddlestone, Taarabt, Routledge, Bent, Defoe, Berbatov, Keane, Archibald-Henville.
West Ham Squad (from): Green, Neill, Upson, Gabbidon, McCartney, Solano, Mullins, Noble, Etherington, Cole, Ashton, Wright, Spector, Collins, Pantsil, Ljungberg, Parker, Boa Morte, Reid, Camara.
Interesting Stats:
Spurs
Not completed back-to-back victories in 15 Premier League matches since beating Middlesbrough and Charlton away from home on 28 April and 7 May respectively.
Need a draw to total 800 all-time Premier League points.
On the longest current run in the Premier League of 41 matches since a no score draw; the last being away to Watford on 28 October.
Own the second strongest attack in the highest league with 23 goals - four fewer than Arsenal.
West Ham
Undefeated in five in all competitions.
Won two and drawn two Premier League matches since losing 1-0, away to Aston Villa on 6 October.
Four goals short of conceding 5,000 goals in their league history.
Scored 13 of their 18 Premier League goals this season after half-time.
Lineup:
3
Right, that's enough fuel for this fixture, don't forget to check [thread=23334]Geez's Media Coverage Thread[/thread] for watching and listening options.
COME ON YOU SPURS!
[SIZE=-4]Lots of information courtesy of the BBC and SkySports[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-4]Don't forget to head over to SC's live chat during the game. For more info click the banner below.[/SIZE]
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[SIZE=-4]Lots of information courtesy of the BBC and SkySports[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-4]Don't forget to head over to SC's live chat during the game. For more info click the banner below.[/SIZE]
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