West Ham v Tottenham – Hat-trick heaven?

So here it is. The most anticipated home game of the year, and our last at the Boleyn Ground this season.

Given that our season has been largely disappointing and has literally been defined by an unbeaten run in February and two victories at White Hart Lane, you can forgive me for admitted that I’m glad it’s almost over.

And it’s the two victories over Tottenham this season that this season will ultimately be remembered for. The 3-0 victory in October was ridiculous. In a good way, obviously, but ridiculous all the same. How we managed to go to White Hart Lane and wipe the floor with them remains something of a mystery to this day, but we’ll take it.

The cup win had a lot more about it, though. To come from behind and win 2-1 to reach the Capital One Cup semi-finals is was perhaps a bigger achievement than the first win. And the fact one of our biggest flops in recent memory headed the winner made it all the more sweeter.

But that’s all the past now. Just a beautiful memory we’ll all take to our graves, via emotional bed-time stories to our children, grandchildren and even great grandchildren.

Tomorrow’s game gives us the opportunity to end this season on an unexpected high. A way to banish the disgust we’ve so often had with our performances this season and smile one last time until the expected summer rebuild gets under way.

A win would mathematically ensure Premier League survival. Hell, even a loss can give us safety if other results are kind to us. But such details become insignificant when it’s Spurs at home. We just want to win because it’s Spurs. That’s all that really matters.

So that’s exactly what I think us fans should believe will happen, because there’s something about West Ham that pulls out the unexpected. Us fans expect the unexpected, and a third win over Spurs is completely unexpected.

Will it be Sam Allardyce’s last game in charge at Upton Park? No one really knows, but given that his tenure will be remembered for a play-final win at Wembley and two victories at White Hart Lane, you can’t help but think he could bow out in style.

Let’s hope so.

Verdict: Three out of three. “Where’s your £100m now!?”

Team News…

West Ham United (14th, 37 points)

Marco Borriello is the only West Ham player sidelined through injury.

Other than the on-loan Italian, Sam Allardyce has a fully fit squad to choose from.

Tottenham Hotspur (6th, 66 points)

Andros Townsend has picked up an ankle injury that has ended his season, while Kyle Walker could sit out due to a pelvic injury.

Last 10 Meetings…

Match in Numbers…

1 – Spurs have lost just one of their last six visits to to Upton Park.

10 – West Ham have not kept a clean sheet in their last 10 league matches.

2 – The Hammers have scored just two goals in their last four league games, while Spurs have scored 12.

0 – Roberto Soldado is without a Premier League goal since October.

0 – But Andy Carroll has not scored at Upton Park for over a year (March 2013).

20 – The Hammers have lost 20 points from winning positions this season.

15 – A win for the Hammers will complete a hat-trick of victories over Spurs this season, their first treble for 15 years.

Head-to-Head (all competitions)…