{"id":686,"date":"2026-04-25T10:21:43","date_gmt":"2026-04-25T10:21:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=686"},"modified":"2026-04-25T10:21:43","modified_gmt":"2026-04-25T10:21:43","slug":"tomas-soucek-says-west-ham-have-one-major-survival-advantage-over-tottenham","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=686","title":{"rendered":"Tomas Soucek says West Ham have one major survival advantage over Tottenham"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"post-313256\">\n<div class=\"article-follow\">\n<div class=\"article-sharing google-follow\">  <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"28\" height=\"28\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hammers.news\/wp-content\/themes\/grv-media\/img\/google-discover.svg\" alt=\"\"\/> <span>Add as preferred source on Google<\/span>  <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><strong>There is a growing narrative that Tottenham Hotspur will turn it on at just the right time to win the fight with West Ham for Premier League survival \u2013 but Tomas Soucek isn\u2019t so sure.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>It is now a straight shootout between bitter rivals West Ham and Spurs over who stays in the Premier League.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-grvmedia-grv-video GRVMultiVideo\"\/>\n<p>Both Leeds and Nottingham Forest have made themselves safe in the last week, leaving Nuno Espirito Santo\u2019s Hammers and Roberto De Zerbi\u2019s Tottenham in a literal fight to the death over the final five games.<\/p>\n<p>De Zerbi has warned West Ham that Spurs will win all their remaining games ahead of a trip to already relegated Wolves while the Irons welcome European-chasing Everton and former boss David Moyes to the London Stadium.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-soucek-says-west-ham-have-edge-over-spurs-in-relegation-battle\">Soucek says West Ham have edge over Spurs in relegation battle<\/h2>\n<p>West Ham have been deemed to have the tougher run-in on paper but have the far superior form given Tottenham have not won a single league game this year.<\/p>\n<p>But while De Zerbi is vowing his team can have a perfect end to the season, Tomas Soucek believes it is very much advantage West Ham in the Premier League survival battle.<\/p>\n<section class=\"grv-talking-point\" data-trigger=\"vue-sidebar\" data-story-id=\"019ded48-e9b0-4f65-8241-276d43fe6d3f\" data-story-name=\"Relegation battle\" data-comment-id=\"ec0c1b88-2078-4d7c-8d07-1629a015f5c3\" data-story-slug=\"relegation-battle\">\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__inner\">\n<header class=\"grv-talking-point__header\">  <\/header>\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__content\">\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__cta\">\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__title-wrap\">\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__title-content\">\n<h3 class=\"grv-talking-point__title\">Out of 10, how confident are you that West Ham will stay up? \u2b06\ufe0f<\/h3>\n<p class=\"grv-talking-point__subtitle\">Nuno is feeling good! \ud83e\udd29<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__embed\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\n<div><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"819\" height=\"1024\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 991px) 100vw, 800px\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn1.hammers.news\/uploads\/25\/2026\/04\/TWO-LINE-quote-graphic-819x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Nuno Espirito Santo, Manager of West Ham United, looks on during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and West Ham United at Selhurst Park\" class=\"wp-image-313016\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn1.hammers.news\/uploads\/25\/2026\/04\/TWO-LINE-quote-graphic-819x1024.jpg 819w, https:\/\/cdn1.hammers.news\/uploads\/25\/2026\/04\/TWO-LINE-quote-graphic-240x300.jpg 240w, https:\/\/cdn1.hammers.news\/uploads\/25\/2026\/04\/TWO-LINE-quote-graphic-768x960.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn1.hammers.news\/uploads\/25\/2026\/04\/TWO-LINE-quote-graphic-912x1140.jpg 912w, https:\/\/cdn1.hammers.news\/uploads\/25\/2026\/04\/TWO-LINE-quote-graphic-600x750.jpg 600w, https:\/\/cdn1.hammers.news\/uploads\/25\/2026\/04\/TWO-LINE-quote-graphic.jpg 1080w\"\/><\/div><figcaption title=\"LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 20: Nuno Espirito Santo, Manager of West Ham United, looks on during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and West Ham United at Selhurst Park on April 20, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield\/Getty Images)\">Photo by Justin Setterfield\/Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p>West Ham are two points ahead of Spurs with five games to go.<\/p>\n<p>But if Tottenham beat Wolves and West Ham fail to secure a victory over Everton, then Nuno\u2019s men will drop back into the relegation zone with four matches remaining.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\n<div><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"674\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 991px) 100vw, 800px\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn1.hammers.news\/uploads\/25\/2026\/04\/GettyImages-2272268839-1024x674.jpg\" alt=\"Nuno Espirito Santo during Crystal Palace x West Ham.\" class=\"wp-image-312278\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn1.hammers.news\/uploads\/25\/2026\/04\/GettyImages-2272268839-1024x674.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cdn1.hammers.news\/uploads\/25\/2026\/04\/GettyImages-2272268839-300x197.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cdn1.hammers.news\/uploads\/25\/2026\/04\/GettyImages-2272268839-768x505.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn1.hammers.news\/uploads\/25\/2026\/04\/GettyImages-2272268839-1536x1011.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cdn1.hammers.news\/uploads\/25\/2026\/04\/GettyImages-2272268839-1140x750.jpg 1140w, https:\/\/cdn1.hammers.news\/uploads\/25\/2026\/04\/GettyImages-2272268839-750x494.jpg 750w\"\/><\/div><figcaption title=\"LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 20: Nuno Espirito Santo, Manager of West Ham United, looks on during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and West Ham United at Selhurst Park on April 20, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield\/Getty Images)\">Photo by Justin Setterfield\/Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>On the flip side, a West Ham win coupled with a shock Tottenham defeat might just be what seals safety for the east Londoners.<\/p>\n<p>The stakes have never been higher but many pundits, journalists and fans believe Tottenham will pull it off.<\/p>\n<p>According to Soucek, though, West Ham have a crucial edge over Spurs \u2013 because it is in their hands.<\/p>\n<p>The big Czech midfielder says that is the single most important factor in the relegation battle and is determined to keep it that way.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-west-ham-have-control-of-relegation-destiny-says-soucek\">West Ham have control of relegation destiny says Soucek<\/h2>\n<p>\u201cI am very happy that it\u2019s in our hands,\u201d Soucek told West Ham\u2019s website. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cThat\u2019s the most important thing and we want to keep it that way until the end. I can\u2019t say how many points we need, but we have to go (forward and) now I think only about the Everton match.<\/p>\n<section class=\"grv-talking-point\" data-trigger=\"vue-sidebar\" data-story-id=\"da045a32-a017-49f6-b521-17803902288a\" data-story-name=\"Tomas Soucek\" data-comment-id=\"184c6db2-d8bb-492a-b036-83c4afd84426\" data-story-slug=\"tomas-soucek\">\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__inner\">\n<header class=\"grv-talking-point__header\">  <\/header>\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__content\">\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__cta\">\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__title-wrap\">\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__title-content\">\n<h3 class=\"grv-talking-point__title\">Tomas Soucek; Premier League record-breaker!<\/h3>\n<p class=\"grv-talking-point__subtitle\">What is your FAVOURITE Soucek moment?<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__embed\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\n<div><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"819\" height=\"1024\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 991px) 100vw, 800px\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn1.hammers.news\/uploads\/25\/2026\/02\/Tomas-Soucek-record-breaker-819x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Tomas Soucek of West Ham United celebrates after scoring during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Burnley at London Stadium on November 8, 2025 in London, England.\" class=\"wp-image-300128\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn1.hammers.news\/uploads\/25\/2026\/02\/Tomas-Soucek-record-breaker-819x1024.jpg 819w, https:\/\/cdn1.hammers.news\/uploads\/25\/2026\/02\/Tomas-Soucek-record-breaker-240x300.jpg 240w, https:\/\/cdn1.hammers.news\/uploads\/25\/2026\/02\/Tomas-Soucek-record-breaker-768x960.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn1.hammers.news\/uploads\/25\/2026\/02\/Tomas-Soucek-record-breaker-912x1140.jpg 912w, https:\/\/cdn1.hammers.news\/uploads\/25\/2026\/02\/Tomas-Soucek-record-breaker-600x750.jpg 600w, https:\/\/cdn1.hammers.news\/uploads\/25\/2026\/02\/Tomas-Soucek-record-breaker.jpg 1080w\"\/><\/div>\n<\/figure><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p>\u201cWe know that we are now playing the final five matches, we know that it\u2019s in our hands, and that\u2019s something we want to do and it\u2019s a big goal for us and for our fans.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s a big game for us at home against Everton and we all want three points from that game.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\n<div><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 991px) 100vw, 800px\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn1.hammers.news\/uploads\/25\/2026\/03\/GettyImages-2065692110-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Roberto De Zerbi greets Nuno Espirito Santo\" class=\"wp-image-308527\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn1.hammers.news\/uploads\/25\/2026\/03\/GettyImages-2065692110-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cdn1.hammers.news\/uploads\/25\/2026\/03\/GettyImages-2065692110-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cdn1.hammers.news\/uploads\/25\/2026\/03\/GettyImages-2065692110-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn1.hammers.news\/uploads\/25\/2026\/03\/GettyImages-2065692110-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cdn1.hammers.news\/uploads\/25\/2026\/03\/GettyImages-2065692110-1140x760.jpg 1140w, https:\/\/cdn1.hammers.news\/uploads\/25\/2026\/03\/GettyImages-2065692110-750x500.jpg 750w\"\/><\/div><figcaption title=\"Brighton's Italian head coach Roberto De Zerbi (L) greets Nottingham Forest's Portuguese manager Nuno Espirito Santo ahead of the English Premier League football match between Brighton and Hove Albion and Nottingham Forest at the American Express Community Stadium in Brighton, southern England on March 10, 2024. (Photo by Glyn KIRK \/ AFP) \/ RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club\/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club\/league\/player publications. \/  (Photo by GLYN KIRK\/AFP via Getty Images)\">Photo by GLYN KIRK\/AFP via Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>If West Ham beat Everton and Spurs lose to Wolves, Nuno\u2019s side will move five points clear of De Zerbi\u2019s north Londoners with four games to play.<\/p>\n<p>A West Ham win and Spurs draw will see the Hammers establish a four-point gap.<\/p>\n<p>There are two outcomes which would take away the big advantage Soucek feels is so important, though.<\/p>\n<p>If the Hammers draw and Spurs win then the two sides will be level on 34 points \u2013 but Tottenham have a far superior goal difference that is worth a point \u2013 putting survival in their hands over the final four matches.<\/p>\n<p>Should Tottenham win and West Ham lose, Spurs will be one point ahead and would again control their own destiny when it comes to Premier League safety.<\/p>\n<p>What could prove crucial is that West Ham have three of their last five games at home, starting with Everton, while Tottenham Hotspur have three away and two at home.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-relegation-run-in-remaining-fixtures\">Relegation run-in remaining fixtures:<\/h3>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\">\n<table class=\"has-fixed-layout\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th><strong>Team<\/strong><\/th>\n<th><strong>Remaining fixtures (Opponent + H\/A)<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>West Ham United<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>Everton (H), Brentford (A), Arsenal (H), Newcastle United (A) and Leeds United (H)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Tottenham Hotspur<\/td>\n<td>Wolves (A), Aston Villa (A), Leeds United (H), Chelsea (A) and Everton (H)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n<div class=\"see-more-wrapper lazy see-more-open see-more-blank extra-content\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.hammers.news\/news\/tomas-soucek-says-west-ham-have-one-major-survival-advantage-over-tottenham\/none\" 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\/><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Add as preferred source on Google There is a growing narrative that Tottenham Hotspur will&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":687,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"pagelayer_contact_templates":[],"_pagelayer_content":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-686","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-chelsea"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/686","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=686"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/686\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/687"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=686"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=686"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=686"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}