Tottenham v West Ham preview: Mauricio Pochettino to make late call on Dele Alli

Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino will make a late decision on Dele Alli ahead of Saturday's Premier League game at home to West Ham.

Alli is close to recovering from a knee injury but may not be risked as Tottenham aim to remain unbeaten.

Spurs remain the only unbeaten team in the top flight, but Mauricio Pochettino's team are without a win since their 2-0 victory over Manchester City at the beginning of October.

West Ham have endured a tough start to the season and find themselves down in 17th place after 11 games.

However, Slaven Bilic's side had started to show signs of recovery in the last period between international fixtures, taking seven points from four matches.

But they face a tough test at White Hart Lane - a ground they where they have won just once in their last 14 Premier League visits.

Team news

Toby Alderweireld (leg), Erik Lamela (hip) and Ben Davies (ankle) are all out but Harry Kane is fit to start after returning early from England duty to work on his fitness.

Christian Eriksen and Danny Rose are also available after shaking off hip and foot problems respectively.

Meanwhile, striker Diafra Sakho is in the West Ham squad for the first time this season after finally overcoming a back injury.

Defender Winston Reid returns after suspension and a slight hamstring injury and looks set to take the captain's armband from midfielder Mark Noble, who sits out due to a one-match ban.

James Collins has overcome the knock which forced him to withdraw from the Wales squad, but Andy Carroll is still a couple of weeks away following an ankle injury.

Opta stats

Tottenham are the only remaining unbeaten side in English football this season, winning five and drawing six of their 11 PL games.

This is their best ever unbeaten start to a Premier League season, however Spurs haven't won any of their last seven games in all competitions.

Pochettino's team are unbeaten in five league games at White Hart Lane this season and have the best home defence in the country, conceding just twice.

The Hammers have won just two of their last nine league matches, with six defeats suffered so far this term.

Bilic's men have averaged a goal a game this season, finding the net 11 times. They scored double that amount at this stage last season.

Dimitri Payet is set to make his 50th appearance for the club. He has scored seven direct free-kicks for club & country since the start of last season.

Simone Zaza has yet to score in nine appearances since joining on a season-long loan from Juventus.

Merson's prediction

I'm going to go for a comfortable Spurs win. They've had a couple of bad results in the Champions League, but they're still undefeated in the league.

It was a very even game against Arsenal a fortnight ago, and with West Ham still struggling, I can't see anything but a Spurs win.

These two really don't like each other, full stop. It's a big grudge game. To be unbeaten so far this season is some going in a difficult league.

PAUL PREDICTS: 2-0

Betting

Tottenham are just 8/15 with Sky Bet to get back to winning ways, with West Ham up against odds of 5/1 while the draw is priced at 16/5.

Mauricio Pochettino's men are 20/1 to win the Premier League despite their unbeaten start, significantly longer odds than the Hammers are to face relegation at 8/1.

Harry Kane heads the first goalscorer betting at 7/2 while the importance of Andy Carroll's return is reflected by his place at the head of the visitors' side of the market, albeit at 9/1.

Find out what the Soccer Saturday pundits and Jamie Redknapp are backing in their Sky Bet tips here.