After last weekend's shambles Spurs really need a result from West Ham vs Tottenham Women in the WSL. There can be no doubt that Robert Vilahamn is under pressure after five defeats in a row in a all competitions. His side has only won two matches in the whole of 2025 so far and, as the Swede noted, they tend to be "very competitive games" when these London rivals meet.
Vilahamn was pretty stoic when I asked him about his position in a press conference on Friday, but he's not stupid (far from it,) and knows things need to change and quickly. The manager still feels his players are working for him though.
The absence of Bethany England will not help Vilahamn's cause at all. The skipper is out for the next few weeks with a quad injury. Martha Thomas starts upfront in her absence for what will be the Scot's 100th WSL appearance. Hopefully she will return before the end of the season. Everyone else, apart from longterm absentee Kit Graham, is available.
Happy Hammers Face Tottenham Women
West Ham, led by former Spurs boss Rehanne Skinner, come into this game after giving Arsenal an almighty scare and holding Man City to a 1-1 draw in their most recent WSL fixtures. A win would see them go above their visitors. Shelina Zadorsky faces the side she used to skipper.
If Spurs perform in the same tame way they did against Brighton last week they will suffer another defeat. A win would put them back above Everton and just one put behind Liverpool, giving the run-in a whole different feel.
A crucial factor will be whether Thomas can find her goalscoring touch again. In a team that was struggling to score even with England in it, her, Jess Naz and Haley Raso really need to step up. The physicality of Eveliina Summanen and Drew Spence is also going to be vital. They need to take control of the midfield for Tottenham.
This game feels like another pivotal moment in Tottenham Women's season. After it, they will only have seven matches left. Things can end on a high(er) note, but it needs to start now.
The game is live on Sky Sports in the UK. Here's the starting lineups:
West Ham: Szemik, Asseyi, Tysiak, Zadorsky, Denton, Siren, Gorry, Hanshaw, Pavi, Ueki
Tottenham: Kop, Morris, Grant, Bartrip, Rybrink, Summanen, Spence, Oroz, Holdt, Nildén, Thomas
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