Match Previews

West Ham United vs. Stoke City

Upton Park - Kick-Off 3:00pm - Updates on BBC 5Live from 3:00pm

West Ham will be looking to extend this season’s unbeaten and clean-sheet run in the league with victory over Stoke, while The Potters will be hoping to keep their first clean sheet of the season under Mark Hughes. But the reality is, there haven’t been any 0-0 draws in the Premier League between the sides, with nine goals scored in the last 5 league meetings.

Both teams claimed victories in the Capital One Cup this week (or the League Cup to normal people), with Allardyce’s team clinging on to beat Cheltenham Town 2-1, while Stoke striker Kenwyne Jones netted a hat-trick to help sink Walsall 3-1. The Hammers will now face Cardiff City at home, with Stoke facing a trip to Tranmere Rovers.

The Potters have signed Liverpool winger Oussama Assaidi on a season-long loan this week as Hughes looks to add pace to his team, and create more chances, while Werder Bremen striker Aaron Hunt was also at The Britannia to watch the cup match on Wednesday ahead of a proposed move.

West Ham haven’t added any further signings since the arrival of Stewart Downing, but with such a solid start to the season, there’s been no need to. Allardyce will be hoping to have England striker Andy Carroll fit for the season with just Modibo Maiga and Ricardo Vaz Te to replace him.

Team News

Allardyce is likely to make 11 changes to the team that started mid-week against Cheltenham, with Jaaskelainen due to return in goal, and Maiga retaining his place up front in place of the injured Andy Carroll.

Key Player: Kevin Nolan - The English midfielder is hoping to prove a point this season in a last-ditch attempt to impress the England hierarchy, but international player or not, he thrives off terrorising defences.

Mark Hughes will bring back the likes of Asmir Begovic, Steven N’Zonzi, Marc Wilson, Geoff Cameron, Erik Pieters and Jonathan Walters to the starting line-up after they were rested or used as substitutes against Walsall, while Jones could retain his starting place after Wednesday’s hat-trick. Wilson Palacios and Brek Shea are available after injury, but are unlikely to feature.

Key Player: Asmir Begovic - two impressive displays this season have been hampered by 2 goals conceded, but the Bosnian will be vital in the Stoke line-up. Arsenal sent scouts to watch him play on Wednesday night, only to find out he wasn’t even in the squad!

Prediction: 2-1 - West Ham’s confidence will be really high as they continue this streak, and I wouldn’t expect that to end here. With 2 wins and 2 draws in their last 4 against Stoke, and The Potters’ abysmal away record, I can’t see much past a home victory, although Stoke could pinch a goal.

By @willtm10

Arsenal V Tottenham

This promises to be a great encounter between the North London rivals, in fact this clash has averaged over 5 goals in the last seven meetings. Add to that Spurs' newly arrived firepower and Arsenal's ongoing defensive frailties and we could see goals again. The Gunners aren't short of a goal threat themselves putting three past Fenerbache and Fulham in their last two games and Giroud looks to be continuing his fine form.

This game is huge for obvious reasons but more for Wenger than anyone one else. With pressure now being applied by the club's fans more than ever regarding Arsenal's lack of activity in the transfer market yet again. If Arsenal are well beaten here that pressure could reach fever pitch at the Emirates.

With both sides playing an offensive style it's likely to be the team that stays the most solid in the centre of midfield and at the back that prevails. Good news on that score for Arsenal is Kosielny is set to return and 'new' signing Flamini may also feature.

Spurs are sure to be in confident mood given their excellent start to the season and the general feel good factor around the club right now. That said, they have only scored from the penalty spot in their two victories so far with new front man Soldado netting both. How well Arsenal's full backs can deal with the Spurs wing threat and their centre back's with Soldado's strength and movement could go a long way to deciding the outcome. If the game does remain tight then AVB's side surely have the better attacking options to bring off the bench, even more so if new signing Erik Lamela makes the squad.

One thing is almost certain, we could be witnessing another North London classic.

By @chrish5244