West Ham United play host to arch-rivals Tottenham Hotspur at the London Stadium on Saturday in what is one of the standout Premier League fixtures of the weekend.

The Irons have recovered from losing their opening three matches of the season – all on the road because of the 2017 World Athletics Championships being held at their home during the summer – by beating newly-promoted Huddersfield Town and picking up a goalless draw against West Bromwich Albion at the Hawthorns last weekend.

A 3-0 success against Bolton Wanderers in the third round of the EFL Cup during the week further lifted the pressure that had been building on Slaven Bilic, and the Croatian will be hoping for another positive result against Spurs.

It is Mauricio Pochettino's home form at their temporary Wembley home that has let them down so far this term – they have taken just two points from nine available on their own turf – and they have a 100% record on the road without conceding a goal thanks to their wins against Newcastle United and Everton respectively.

Both London clubs have players that can hurt the opposition and make the difference in derbies like this one, and they will be trying to get the better of each other on Saturday.

Here are four key battles that will decide West Ham vs Tottenham…

Winston Reid vs Harry Kane

While Kane once again failed to find the net in August, the England international has scored four goals and provided one assist in three appearances in all competitions for Spurs in September.

The 24-year-old looks to be getting back to the form that he showed as he won the Premier League Golden Boot last season, and the West Ham defence will certainly be fearful of the striker seeing as he has consistently proven that he can score any type of goal.

The man tasked with dealing with Kane may well be Reid, with the New Zealand international helping his side keep two clean sheets in their last two top flight matches following his return from injury.

The Irons centre-back will want to make that three in a row, but he will know that he will need to keep his in-form opponent quiet if that is to happen.

Javier Hernandez vs Toby Alderweireld

While Hernandez started the season for West Ham in the centre-forward position, the return of Andy Carroll from injury in the last two Premier League games has seen the Mexican revert to a wider position with Slaven Bilic seemingly unwilling to play the duo alongside each other.

The 29-year-old showed the impact he can have in the penalty area with the two poacher goals he scored in the 3-2 defeat against Southampton last month, and the Irons need someone with his proven ability to find the net when they face top teams like Tottenham.

If he does drift to the inside left channel again at the London Stadium on Saturday he could find himself up against Alderweireld, who has established himself as one of the best centre-backs in the Premier League over the course of the last three seasons.

The Belgium international doesn’t often get beaten by his opponents, but he will know that he needs to watch Hernandez like a hawk on Saturday because of the striker's impressive movement.

Cheikhou Kouyate vs Dele Alli

It shows the expectation levels that are now on Alli's shoulders that despite scoring three goals in six appearances in all competitions for Tottenham this season, his performances have been described as below-par by some of his own fans.

The 21-year-old certainly hasn't hit the heights that he did last term when he netted 22 goals and provided a further 13 assists in 50 outings, but perhaps he has been affected by rumours that he is looking for new advisers and the controversy surrounding his middle finger salute for England.

Nevertheless, the attacking midfielder should have taken some confidence from scoring the winning goal for Spurs in their 1-0 victory against Barnsley in the third round of the EFL Cup during the week.

With Pedro Obiang likely to miss out with a muscle injury Kouyate will be tasked with stopping Alli from having an impact at the London Stadium, and he will once again shield a backline that has kept three successive clean sheets in all competitions.

Andy Carroll vs Davinson Sanchez

Having taken no points in the Premier League while he was recovering from injury, West Ham have taken four points from their two fixtures since Carroll returned to the starting line-up.

There is no doubt that he is an important player for the Irons when he is on the pitch – which still hasn't happened consistently – and his strength and height up top has caused all sorts of problems for the Huddersfield Town and West Bromwich Albion defences already this month.

The 28-year-old will be determined to score his first goal of the season against Spurs, but he will know that he is coming up against one of the best backlines in the top flight this weekend.

Carroll may well find himself battling with Tottenham new boy Davinson Sanchez, who has already made a big impact following his move from Ajax last month.

The Colombia international has already shown that he is strong and loves a physical battle, and he will be ready to challenge the Irons striker on that front on Saturday.