West Ham United manager Julen Lopetegui has admitted he has a soft spot for Tottenham Hotspur ahead of this weekend’s London derby clash.
Spurs return from the international break looking to make amends after blowing a 2-0 half-time lead to lose 3-2 away at Brighton.
They host a West Ham side full of confidence after their 4-1 win over Ipswich Town, which moved them to within two points of Spurs.
The international break arguably came at the best possible time for Spurs, but the worst time for West Ham.
West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui heaps praise on Spurs
Lopetegui will be desperate to pick up a positive result in North London as he seeks to build momentum after a tough start as David Moyes’ replacement.
However, he’s probably not done himself any favours with West Ham fans after lavishing praise upon their fierce rivals ahead of locking horns on Saturday.
“We’re focused 100 per cent on the next challenge against one of the best teams in the Premier League,” Lopetegui told reporters at his pre-match press conference.
“They have really good intensity, players and ideas. I like to watch them…
“I think Ange changed a lot of things in their team.
“In my opinion, he made their players and team better and that’s why I like to see this team. They work together.
“But we have to put the focus on us and have an answer because we have to be on it to get the win.”
With this the first match of the weekend, a Spurs victory could move them, at least temporarily, into sixth place and just one point adrift of the Champions League spots.
Despite their Brighton collapse, most pundits are backing the Lilywhites against the Hammers. Paul Merson, for example, thinks it’ll be a close-run 2-1 victory, while ex-Blackburn striker Chris Sutton has gone for a more comfortable 3-1 triumph.
