Mohammed Kudus returns to West Ham for a highly anticipated clash against his former club, Tottenham Hotspur, following his recent move for £55 million. Get ready for a thrilling East London derby in the cavernous London Stadium! Each side will be looking to assert themselves as the top dog in the Premier League on Sunday. On the pitch, Kudus has become known for his agile running style and creativity. Since joining the Spurs, he’s taken his contributions on court and off in stride.
In his first four competitive outings for the lilywhites, Kudus has shown his aggressive style of play with 15 foul involvements already. His per 90 foul involvement average is 3.75 over his last 50 Premier League matches. This stat paints an alarming picture of his willingness to get into physical duels especially at the higher level of competition. As he returns to West Ham, fans will be keenly observing how he adapts to this rivalry and whether he can replicate his recent form.
Kudus’ Performance Metrics
Kudus’ ease at the highest levels is even more highlighted by his numbers against best clubs on the planet. His last 15 matches vs top 10 Premier League sides He’s been able to influence matches one way or another. In doing so, he averages 5.4 foul involvements for every 90 minutes played. That performance metric highlights a key area where the USMNT midfielder stands out against strong competition. In addition to drawing fouls, he creates opportunities for his teammates as well.
Additionally, over his past 50 appearances, he’s earned 3.1 fouls drawn per 90 minutes. His impressive ability to consistently draw fouls is a testament to his skill department. It shows how incredibly important he is in terms of giving his team tactical advantages. His technical abilities will be indispensable when Spurs look to unlock the likes of West Ham, masters of defensive spoilers.
In his two starts for Leeds this season, Kudus had attracted four fouls. This show-stealing performance only solidified his reputation as a great player who can blow up opposing defensive lines. Our analysts expect him to be a key piece of Spurs’ tactical plan to combat West Ham. He’s focused on exploiting their defensive vulnerabilities, while maintaining an aggressive mindset.
The Context of the Match
Both clubs have plenty to play for, as a mid-table position is unlikely to be accepted by either club in this London derby. West Ham, fresh off a solid start to the season, will look to defend their home turf against a Spurs side eager to prove their mettle after investing heavily in new talent. On the pitch, Enzo Maresca’s side have revelled in their superb form, winning 16 of their last 19 matches in all competitions. So their winning momentum will be a significant hurdle for Kudus and his Spurs counterparts to overcome.
As the final whistle draws closer, pundits are quick to point out that the London outfit’s home ground is not a factor to dismiss. The Hammers have been a great home team. They’re on an incredible run of 24 league matches without defeat at their London Stadium! This incredible statistic will make things worse for the Spurs. First, they will need to overcome the intimidating aura that accompanies a derby encounter.
The stakes have never been higher for either club with the historic competitiveness of the Premier League this season at an all-time high. With newly-promoted teams showing resilience and strength at home, traditional powerhouses like Tottenham must remain vigilant. Matchdays immediately following international breaks usually have some of the lowest goal averages. Over the past two seasons, teams have averaged just 2.35 combined goals per game in these games.
Tactical Considerations
As each team gets ready for this pivotal showdown between archrivals, tactical adjustments will be instrumental in deciding the victor. West Ham’s boss would do well to make full use of Tottenham’s weaknesses, using a high press to shake them out of their flow. Spurs, on the other hand, will be looking to possess the ball and use Kudus’ penchant for winning fouls to their advantage in order to generate chances.
Recent editions of Manchester City vs Manchester United demonstrate just how crazy these matches can be. In fact, the previous ten meetings have produced an average of just 2.6 goals per game. If statistics like these start to pile up, it might mean both teams play it safe early on waiting to get the all important points.
Burnley’s dogged approach at Turf Moor represents the uglier side of the Premier League’s more competitive games. This is particularly the case when teams are battling for playoff positioning in important late season wins. Spurs will have to be prepared to face the same defensive approach from West Ham. Their goal is to control the tempo and rhythm of the game.
It’s a very different picture as fans prepare for the much-anticipated London derby! Beyond that, they’ll be keeping a close eye on the other games taking place around the league. Brighton have a phenomenal scoring streak of 3.88 goals per match across their last 16 away matchups. This record-setting strike crew has the potential to shape how far up the league table they finish.
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