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5 Key Matchups For Tottenham Hotspur vs. West Ham United In EPL Week 26

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5 Key Matchups For Tottenham Hotspur vs. West Ham United

Sam Allardyce and Mauricio Pochettino on the touchline
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Without a win in their last three Premier League games, West Ham United need to get back in shape quickly if they are to take advantage of their good form from earlier in the season. As one of the in-form teams in the league, Tottenham Hotspur will be standing in the way of those plans in Week 26 of the EPL. Here are five key matchups to take note of ahead of this top eight clash.

5. Nabil Bentaleb vs. Kevin Nolan

Tottenham midfielder Nabil Bentaleb
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5. Nabil Bentaleb vs. Kevin Nolan

Tottenham midfielder Nabil Bentaleb
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Kevin Nolan may not be scoring the quantity of goals that he has done consistently throughout his career this season, but the midfielder is still a positive influence on the West Ham team. And despite the drop-off in goals, opposition teams still have to be aware that the 32-year old remains a capable goalscorer at times. Nabil Bentaleb, however, will be aiming to help Spurs maintain possession and ensure Nolan does more defending than attacking.

4. Diafra Sakho vs. Jan Vertonghen

West Ham striker Diafra Sakho
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4. Diafra Sakho vs. Jan Vertonghen

West Ham striker Diafra Sakho
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After initially scoring seven goals in his first nine EPL games, Diafra Sakho has since scored just one goal in the following seven games thereafter. Sam Allardyce needs Sakho back to his best sooner rather than later, but Jan Vertonghen will pose a formidable obstacle to that when the Hammers take on Spurs.

3. Mousa Dembele vs. Stewart Downing

Mousa Dembele playing for Tottenham
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3. Mousa Dembele vs. Stewart Downing

Mousa Dembele playing for Tottenham
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Mousa Dembele and Stewart Downing are both midfielders who started their careers playing in a different area of the team, but now bring different attributes to the table than the typical central midfield player. Dembele and Downing are both capable of quickly turning defense into attack by carrying the ball up the field for their team at pace, and a head-to-head battle between the two here will be one to watch.

2. Alex Song vs. Christian Eriksen

Alex Song playing for West Ham United
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2. Alex Song vs. Christian Eriksen

Alex Song playing for West Ham United
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Alex Song will have one job and one job only against Tottenham: Stop Christian Eriksen. Harry Kane has been sensational in attack, but it is Eriksen who is ultimately the conductor of the orchestra. Slowing Eriksen means limiting the chances for Kane, whereas a rampant Eriksen will likely result in a rampant Kane also.

1. Harry Kane vs. James Tomkins

Harry Kane and James Tomkins fight for possession of the ball
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1. Harry Kane vs. James Tomkins

Harry Kane and James Tomkins fight for possession of the ball
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Harry Kane is on fire right now having scored five goals in his last three EPL games. The Englishman has been one of the stories of the season so far and Kane will now hope to continue that story against West Ham. The Hammers have had injury problems in defense lately, but James Tomkins has been ever present during that difficult spell. Tomkins will not only have to be present but also ready to match Kane when the two meet on Sunday.

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