Good morning! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for today's early Premier League kickoff, and what a match we have in store as West Ham United host Tottenham Hotspur in a mouth-watering London derby.

There is no love lost between these two sides, and that feeling will have only been strengthened after the Hammers effectively ended Tottenham's title hopes last season. The visitors will be looking for revenge today, but they come up against a West Ham side who have improved of late.

Before we take a more in-depth look into that, though, let's first check out the team news...

WEST HAM STARTING XI: Hart; Fonte, Reid, Ogbonna; Zabaleta, Kouyaté, Noble, Cresswell; Antonio, Hernández, Arnautovic

WEST HAM SUBS: Adrian, Byram, Masuaku, Rice, Ayew, Carroll, Sakho

TOTTENHAM STARTING XI: Lloris; Aurier, Alderweireld, Sanchez, Vertonghen, Davies; Dier, Sissoko, Eriksen, Dele; Kane

TOTTENHAM SUBS: Vorm, Trippier, Walker-Peters, Winks, Nkoudou, Son, Llorente

What can we make of those two sides, then?

Well, the headline news as far as the home side are concerned is that there is no Andy Carroll in the side today, despite West Ham's improved form since his return. Carroll has played two Premier League games this season and West Ham have taken four points from that time, compared to zero from the three matches they have been without the big striker.

The Hammers had also averaged more than twice as many crosses during those two games, so the personnel change is likely to see a switch of style too today.

Carroll's absence means that Javier Hernandez is expected to lead the line, having played in a slightly wider role during the draw with West Bromwich Albion last weekend.

Hernandez had just one touch inside the area at The Hawthorns, which is where the Mexican really comes alive, so it is perhaps not surprising that Bilic has looked for a solution to get Hernandez involved in the game more today. One thing is for sure - if he gets a chance today, he is more than capable of putting it away.

Hernandez has, however, failed to score in any of his eight previous appearances against Tottenham, and he will be looking for attacking support from elsewhere to help him break that duck today.

Marko Arnautovic is the man who replaces Carroll in the side, with the former Stoke forward more than capable of creating chances for Hernandez or getting his own name on the scoresheet, while Michail Antonio, who also starts in that front three, has also developed a keen eye for goal during his time at the club.

In all, Bilic has made three changes to the side which drew against the Baggies last weekend, with two of those being enforced. Collins and Obiang drop out due to injuries, but Bilic sticks with his 3-4-3 system nonetheless.

Ogbonna and the fit-again captain Noble return to the side, but there is no place for Manuel Lanzini, who scored the only goal of last season's meeting here. Indeed, nine of Lanzini's 14 Premier League goals have come in London derbies - including three in four against Spurs - so the hosts could miss him today.

Spurs will be glad to see the absence of Lanzini on the opposition team sheet, then, and in Harry Kane they have a London derby specialist of their own.

The England international has scored 19 goals in his 28 Premier League London derbies, and of the players to have played more than 10 of them in the Premier League, only Thierry Henry has a better goals-per-minute ratio. Against West Ham alone, Kane has scored five goals in his last five league games.

The impressive Harry Kane stats do not end there, though, and the Tottenham man has catapulted himself amongst Europe's elite with his form so far this year, edging closer and closer to 'world-class' status.

Only Lionel Messi, Edinson Cavani and Robert Lewandowski have scored more league goals in 2017 than Kane's 23, a tally he has reached in just 22 games. Kane has also scored an incredible nine goals in his last four Premier League away games.

Spurs are far from a one-man team, though, and the likes of Eriksen and Dele Alli will also pose a threat going forward today. The latter has been a little slow to get to his very best form so far this season, but there is no doubt that he is one of the brightest young players around at the moment and should he find his best today then West Ham could be in trouble.

In Eriksen, Spurs also boast a master provider, with no pairing in the Premier League creating more goalscoring chances for each other than the Dane and Kane.

Another notable inclusion for the visitors this afternoon is Serge Aurier, who makes his first Premier League start for the club as Trippier drops to the bench.

It is one of two changes for Spurs from their goalless draw with Swansea last time out, and the other comes on the opposite flank as Davies returns after an ankle injury to replace Son. Sissoko, interestingly, retains his place in central midfield.

It is arguably a full-strength Tottenham side which travels to the London Stadium today, then, and West Ham will know that they have their work cut out if they are to continue their mini-recent revival.

The Hammers do always seem to up their game against Spurs - this is their biggest game of the Premier League season, after all, but the way both sides have started the campaign, you'd still have to make Tottenham slight favourites to come away with all three points in this one.

West Ham's dreadful start of three consecutive league defeats saw the pressure build on the shoulders of Bilic very early in the season, but they come into this match having lost just one of their last five outings across all competitions.

Bilic was rumoured to be one game away from the sack at one stage this season, but victory over Huddersfield and a draw with West Brom seem to have bought the Croatian a bit more time to turn things around now.

I wouldn't go as far as saying Bilic's job is safe yet, though, and a heavy defeat today would see the Hammers plunge back into the bottom three and suddenly the pressure will be cranked right back up for their manager.

As things stand, West Ham are 17th in the Premier League table, only out of the relegation zone on goal difference, and should they lose by three goals at the hands of Spurs here they will drop below the dreaded dotted line.

Of course, it is still too early to be drawing any real conclusions from the Premier League table, but the pitfalls of relegation are so huge nowadays that it may only take a couple of weeks in the bottom three for a club's board to decide that a change is needed.

Of course, victory over Spurs would make things look a lot more rosy for Bilic, lifting West Ham up to 13th for a few hours at least.

No team has conceded more goals than West Ham in the Premier League this season, but that is another aspect of their game which has improved in recent weeks and they head into this match having kept three clean sheets on the bounce - two of which have come in the Premier League.

Another shutout of Kane and co today would see the Hammers make it three in a row in the top flight for the first time since April - a run which culminated with a 1-0 win over Spurs, incidentally - and four in a row across all competitions for the first time since February 2014.

Any victory would give West Ham back-to-back wins for the first time since January, but they have only ever won consecutive home league matches at the London Stadium on one previous occasion - in December 2016.

The Hammers are today bidding to win their opening two Premier League home games for the first time since 2012-13, and three consecutive matches at the London Stadium in all competitions for the first time ever.

It was a slow start to life at the London Stadium for West Ham, but they seem to be adapting to their surroundings now and they come into this match having lost just one of their last five outings at their new home, keeping four clean sheets in the process. Indeed, they have won as many in their last five home games as they had in their previous 10 (3), including a 1-0 win over Spurs in May.

That is one of three times Slaven Bilic has overseen a home match against a team managed by Mauricio Pochettino, and each time the Croat has come out on top by a 1-0 scoreline - twice with West Ham and once with Besiktas in the 2014-15 Europa League.

Tottenham can certainly sympathise with a club struggling to adapt to their new surroundings, with their league form at Wembley so far this season undermining their title challenge in the opening months.

Spurs are still looking for their first three-point haul in the Premier League at their temporary home, most recently being held to a goalless draw there by Swansea City last weekend. As a result, they now sit five points adrift of the Manchester clubs.

Victory today would lift Spurs up to third for a few hours at least, though, and it is their away form which has kept them in the mix so far.

Pochettino's side have won both of their league matches on their travels without conceding a goal, beating Newcastle 2-0 and Everton 3-0, the latter of which would have been a particularly pleasing result and performance for the North Londoners.

If you include the tail end of last season too, Tottenham's recent top-fight away form has been quite remarkable, winning four games on the bounce and scoring a whopping 18 goals in the process.

Having also conceded just two times during that run, Tottenham's four-match winning streak has seen them chalk up a goal difference of +16, which is the best over a four-game streak away from home in the top flight since way back in 1892.

Another win today would see Spurs equal their club record of five consecutive away Premier League wins, which was set between December 2013 and January 2014, while also handing them three consecutive away wins at the start of the season for the first time since 1991-92.

This stadium, and Upton Park before it, has not been the happiest of hunting grounds for Tottenham over the years, though, and West Ham will be determined to keep that up today.

Since the start of the 2015-16 season, Tottenham have won more matches (47) and amassed more points (164) than any other club in the Premier League, but defeat today could leave them eight points adrift of the leading pack already, having also missed out on the title in the past two campaigns.

Pochettino will know that an eight-point gap is a sizeable one to make up, even at this early stage of the season, so it is important his side come away from this match with something.

Spurs have lost their last two London derbies in the Premier League, though, including one at this very stadium in May before also being beaten by Chelsea earlier this season.

Another defeat for Pochettino's side this afternoon would mark the first time that they have lost three top-flight London derbies on the bounce since August 2005, more than 12 years ago.

Spurs are back in Champions League action on Tuesday, although they will be thankful that it isn't against one of the big boys this time around.

Having made a dream start to their campaign with victory over Borussia Dortmund on matchday one, Spurs next take on APOEL away in midweek, with the Cypriots expected to be the whipping boys in a group which also includes Real Madrid. It is still an away Champions League trip for Spurs, though, so if Pochettino gets the chance to rest any of his big guns today, he may well take it.

PREDICTION: Right, we're 10 minutes away from kickoff at the London Stadium for this huge derby match, so it's time for a prediction!

The Hammers relish these matches - the atmosphere is always intense and the players raise their game to face their biggest Premier League rivals. Spurs have the superior quality in their side, though, and are on fire away from home at the moment. It is likely to be a closer one than Tottenham have been used to in their recent matches on the road, but I am still backing the visitors to come out on top.

Sports Mole says: West Ham 1-2 Tottenham

West Ham have held the bragging rights over Tottenham in this particularly fixture in recent years, though, winning three of their last four home league games against the Hammers and keeping clean sheets in each of those victories.

The most recent of those came in May, when Manuel Lanzini scored the only goal of the game to effectively hammer the final nail into Tottenham's Premier League title hopes.

That win was the first time that West Ham had recorded back-to-back home league victories over Spurs since 1999-2000, and another one this afternoon would make it three in a row for only the second time in the Premier League, having previously done so between 1997 and 1999.

The Hammers have beaten Spurs 14 times in the Premier League, which is their highest tally of victories against any single opponent in the division.

It was often a different story at White Hart Lane, although Spurs did need a late salvo to rescue victory in the reverse fixture last season.

The Hammers were on course for a 2-1 victory on their final ever visit to the Lane, leading in the 89th minute, but Kane levelled things up before adding a winner from the spot just two minutes later to complete a dramatic turnaround.

Right, the players are making their way out onto the field and we're almost ready to get going here. Before we get started, though, let's have a reminder of the two teams on show today...

WEST HAM STARTING XI: Hart; Fonte, Reid, Ogbonna; Zabaleta Kouyaté, Noble, Cresswell; Antonio, Hernández, Arnautovic

TOTTENHAM STARTING XI: Lloris; Aurier, Alderweireld, Sanchez, Vertonghen, Davies; Dier, Sissoko, Eriksen, Dele; Kane

KICKOFF: Here we go, then! Tottenham get us underway at the London Stadium!

There is a raucous atmosphere inside the London Stadium for this one, as you would expect. The West Ham fans have wasted no time in finding their voices despite the early kickoff.

Bright play from Arnautovic as he makes progress down the left channel, reaching the byline before pulling a low ball into the box which Sanchez has to deal with.

The fans continued to make plenty of noise, but there hasn't been a lot to shout about in terms of on-field action so far. Neither side have managed to string together a really good move yet as both look to settle into this derby.

SHOT! Hernandez has his reputation as a penalty-box predator, but he tries his luck from 25 yards here. His curling and dipping effort has Lloris worried, but the ball lands on the roof of the net.

West Ham will be the happier of the two sides after the opening 10 minutes here. Spurs are yet to really get going in this one, with the likes of Kane, Alli and Eriksen yet to get involved.

Lloris needs to be alert here as a hacked ball forward almost turns into an exquisite through-ball for Arnautovic. Lloris beats the Austrian to the ball, though, and clears his lines.

Spurs have their first shooting opportunity as Eriksen suddenly finds himself in space from 25 yards out. The Dane is more than capable of scoring from there, but his effort is deflected and the looping ball is then tipped over by Hart.

Spurs win another corner as Ogbonna clears behind following a low cross into the box from Sissoko. The last came to nothing as a foul was awarded before Kane could get his head to the ball, but will they have more joy with this one..?

Not quite. The ball is only cleared as far as Davies, but his first-time effort is scuffed and Sanchez's attempted flick comes to nothing either.

West Ham immediately break and Arnautovic does brilliantly to power between two Tottenham defenders on his way into the box, but Aurier recovers with a brilliant last-ditch saving challenge.

Arnautovic could have gone down inside the area there - there was contact from both defenders and shirt-pulling from Aurier. Credit to the Austrian, though, he only had one thought in his mind and stayed on his feet as long as possible.

West Ham's joy has come down the left so far today, with Aurier being caught out of position on a few occasions already. Arnautovic once again breaks down that channel here, but his resulting delivery is a waste. A very good attacking platform goes begging!

Finally a bit of pressure from Spurs, who just have not been able to get going in this match. The visitors hoist a number of crosses into the box, but West Ham deal with them all.

Lloris again needs to be quickly off his line and out of his area, this time sweeping up to prevent Antonio from getting on the end of a long ball forward.

SHOT! Spurs have their first shot of the afternoon, but it is not one that ever threatens to trouble Hart. Alderweireld lets fly from range, but it ends up a long way wide.

Harry Kane may never have been happier to see the offside flag!

The England striker misses a sitter from just a couple of yards out following Aurier's powerful low cross into the box, but it wouldn't have counted anyway as he was offside.

There is a worry for West Ham here as Antonio goes down and will require treatment. Andy Carroll is up and jogging down the touchline, and the big striker may be needed earlier than expected.

WEST HAM SUB: Sure enough, West Ham are forced into an early change as Andy Carroll replaces Antonio.

That will be a blow to Bilic's game plan, which was clearly to maximise the effect of Hernandez through the middle. Carroll can be very effective himself, of course, but West Ham may be forced to switch up their style as a result of that change.

Almost a rare shooting chance for Spurs as Kane exchanges passes with Eriksen and receives the ball back on the edge of the box, but his subsequent effort is blocked.

Handbags for the first time between these London rivals as Noble launches himself into a challenge on Sissoko, who reacts angrily to it. It is not deemed worthy of a card by referee Michael Oliver, but the temperature is just beginning to rise here.

Tottenham have offered so little going forward so far today, but offer this man a sniff and he will punish you.

Kane gets his first goal away to West Ham as the front three combine, with Eriksen sliding a pass through to Alli, who in turn provided the cross for Kane. The striker still has work to do, but he plants his header into the bottom corner past a helpless Hart.

That goal is a huge blow for West Ham, who have been the better team in this first half. It all began from a poor pass from Carroll too, so it was avoidable for the hosts.

You just cannot stop this man from scoring! Harry Kane follows up to roll a simple finish into an empty net, doubling his and Tottenham's tally for the afternoon.

Eriksen flicks the ball into the path of an adventurous Vertonghen, who in turn slides it down the channel for Alli. Hart comes out to thwart the midfielder's effort with a decent stop, but the ball rebounds straight to Kane, who is left with the easiest of finishes.

Harry Kane has now scored 11 goals in his last five Premier League away games - four-and-a-half, in fact.

For West Ham, this one will be tough to take as they had been on top before those two Kane goals.

SHOT! Kane looks to well and truly put this game to bed with a curling effort towards the bottom corner which flies just too far in front of Alli.

Ten minutes ago this did not look like being the scenario we would find ourselves in, but with a player like Kane on the pitch a game can always change that quickly. West Ham's main priority now will just be making it to half time without suffering further damage.

There will be a minimum of two minutes added time at the end of this first half.

Michael Oliver brings an end to the first half at the London Stadium, and it is Tottenham who are smiling at the interval courtesy of a 2-0 lead.

It is a slightly deceiving scoreline as West Ham were the better team for the majority of the half, but two goals in three minutes have seen Spurs take control.

The opening goal arrived 10 minutes before half time as Spurs punished a West Ham error in clinical fashion. Eriksen collected a loose pass from Carroll before sliding a through-ball down the right channel for Alli, who in turn provided a pinpoint cross for Kane in the middle.

Kane still had a lot to do, but his header slammed into the bottom corner to leave Hart helpless.

One goal quickly became two for both Tottenham and Kane as they took complete control of the contest with a second just three minutes after breaking the deadlock against the run of play.

Again it was Kane to applied the finishing touch, rolling the ball into an empty net after Alli's effort had been saved by Hart and rebounded to the striker.

West Ham had been the better side until the 35th minute, but despite that they weren't able to create many clear chance, with Lloris's only save coming when he tipped a long-range Hernandez drive over the top.

The hosts have had a bit of joy down the left flank, but even that avenue waned as the half wore on and they will need a significant improvement if they are to get back into this match in the second half.

KICKOFF: West Ham get us back underway for the second half at the London Stadium. Can they haul themselves back into this match? The next goal is so important.

West Ham earn an early free kick in a very good crossing position...

...Noble's delivery is poor, though, and is cleared easily by Spurs. An early goal would do wonders for West Ham at the start of this second half - not least to get the fans back in full voice.

Kane, Eriksen and Alli combine again, which almost allows the goalscorer to sneak in behind the defence once again. This time the defence has stepped up well, though, and play Kane offside.

West Ham have seen a decent amount of the ball so far in this second half, but they did in the first half too without really troubling Lloris. The hosts need more in the final third, but they haven't offered anything since the introduction of Carroll.

Indeed, the stats have just popped up for the possession in this second half - West Ham have had 73% to Tottenham's 27%. Spurs won't be too worried by that, though, as they still have control over the game with that two-goal lead.

Alli wants a penalty after going down under the challenge of Reid inside the area, and it is certainly worth asking the questions. Michael Oliver says no, though, and it is just about the right decision.

The flag is again raised against Kane, who this time got on the end of a scooped pass from Alderweireld. The striker just strayed beyond the last man, but he is determined to play off the shoulder and he is looking capable of getting a third here.

Spurs have their third of the afternoon to put this game to bed on the hour mark!

It is so nearly a hat-trick for Harry Kane as his free kick from out on the left flank beats Hart and crashes against the foot of the post, but Spurs recycle the ball and feed it back into the area. Eriksen is there to get on the end of it, and he steers a controlled half-volley into the bottom corner.

Game over.

Spurs hadn't been creating a lot of chances in this second half, but that third goal had been coming. West Ham were being forced deeper and deeper and were duly punished by a Tottenham side who have been clinical today.

OFF THE POST! Kane strikes the woodwork again, although Hart would have been disappointed if he had been beaten by this. The striker drives down the left side of the area before firing a low, powerful strike towards the bottom near corner from a tight angle. Hart gets a touch to it with his foot, diverting it onto the post.

YELLOW CARD! It has taken more than an hour for the first card of this derby, and it is shown to Aurier for a totting up of fouls.

A glimmer of hope for West Ham, perhaps?

Hernandez scores a typical poacher's effort to pull a goal back for his side, nodding in from close range after Fonte had flicked the initial corner on. There is still a lot to do for the hosts, but that at least gives them a bit of hope heading into the final 25 minutes.

WEST HAM SUB: The hosts make a change in the immediate aftermath of that goal as Andre Ayew replaces Arnautovic.

SAVE! Hernandez certainly hasn't given up on this one. The Mexican threatens again by finding space in the area and steering a header towards goal, but it lacks the power to really trouble Lloris.

Madness from Aurier. Absolute madness.

The full-back sees his first Premier League start come to a premature end with a second yellow card in the space of six minutes as he launches himself into challenge from behind on Carroll. It is a needless challenge in a nothing area of the pitch, but Aurier made it anyway and Michael Oliver has little choice but to produce the red card.

West Ham looked dead and buried when Tottenham scored on the hour mark, but 10 minutes later and they have a lifeline. Hernandez's goal was a good start, but the hosts can now play the final 20 minutes or so against 10 men following that red card.

This one is not over yet, folks!

TOTTENHAM SUB: Pochettino makes a change to tighten things up as Harry Winks replaces Eriksen.

WEST HAM SUB: West Ham also make a change - their third of the game - as Arthur Masuaku replaces Fonte.

Spurs are just looking to limit West Ham's momentum here, which they have done a good job of since the goal and red card. Time is ticking away for the hosts.

TOTTENHAM SUB: Another defensive change from the visitors sees Kieran Trippier replace Sissoko.

SAVE! One more goal for the Hammers would make things very interesting, and they almost get it here as Hernandez goes for goal but fires his shot straight at Lloris.

YELLOW CARD! Hernandez goes into the book for a sliding challenge on Dier.

West Ham have not been able to kick on following that Aurier red card. Hernandez has had a couple of sights of goal, but they have not played with as much urgency as you might expect in the situation.

Good play from Winks to take the pressure off his side as he takes the ball into the corner and wastes some valuable time. None of his teammates were interested in getting up in support there.

Now then! West Ham's hopes of a comeback crank up another notch as they move to within one goal!

It is a thumping header from Kouyate as he powers his finish past Llorente having got on the end of a sumptuous delivery on the run from Masuaku.

TOTTENHAM SUB: A third and final change for Spurs sees Fernando Llorente replace Kane.

There will be four minutes of added time at the end of this match!

We're into extra time of the injury time here as both sets of players square up to each other following a flare-up between Reid and Llorente. Oliver flashes a couple of yellow cards.

Tottenham hold out for all three points at the London Stadium, them, despite seeing out the game with 10 men and a late West Ham fightback.

That is all we have time for this afternoon, but I will leave you with our match report and be sure to head over to the 3pm kickoffs for more live coverage!