Having got back to winning ways with a historic victory against Real Madrid, Spurs will look to build some more winning momentum when they host cross town rivals Crystal Palace
The Eagles have only just begun to find some kind of form in their recent games. They’ve finally begun scoring, which is always a good sign. They’ve lost only one Premier League game in October, drawing one and winning the other. They are currently at the bottom of the table.
The latter of which were both London derbies against West Ham United and Chelsea respectively. While it is too early to say whether they’ve shaken off their terrible start to the season, Roy Hodgson seems to be getting his side’s confidence up slowly, but steadily.
Tottenham are coming off a victory against Real Madrid that’ll be spoken of fondly for decades to come. However, after topping their Champions League group, they will now look to keep up the pace with Manchester City. Their narrow loss to United last week, which was only their second of the season, leaves them in third place and they will now focus on getting back to winning ways in the League.
Team News & Tactics
Tottenham Hotspur
Spurs’ victory over Real Madrid has come at an unfortunate cost. Hugo Lloris and Toby Alderweireld have both picked up injuries and will likely not be involved tonight. They join Victor Wanyama and Erik Lamela, the other absentees, in the medical room.
Michel Vorm and Mousa Dembele will likely be brought into the starting XI to replace them, but besides these two were should see the rest of the players that started in their victory against Real Madrid, retain their places in the lineup.
So with Vorm in goal, Eric Dier will likely fall back into the back three while Mousa Dembele will likely partner Harry Winks in the center of midfield. Ben Davies and Kieran Trippier will likely continue as wingbacks, with Dele Alli and Christian Eriksen as attacking midfielders.
The League’s top scorer, Harry Kane, who missed their last Premier League game against Manchester United and the loss to West Ham United in the EFL Cup, is the obvious choice to start upfront.
Probable Starting XI(3-4-2-1): Michel Vorm; Eric Dier, Davison Sanchez, Jan Vertonghen; Kieran Tripper, Mousa Dembele, Harry Winks, Ben Davies; Christian Eriksen, Dele Alli; Harry Kane
Crystal Palace
Patrick Van Aanholt, Christian Benteke, Connor Wickham, Chung yong-Lee and Sullay Kaikai will not be participating tonight as they are still recovering from their injuries. Mamadou Sakho and James McArthur have recovered and are like to be available for selection.
A few changes are expected to the side that drew 2-2 against West Ham. The formation is expected to be the same, but Jeffrey Schlupp will likely move to left-back, as Patrick van Aanholt is injured. Scott Dann and Joel Ward will be joined by Mamadou Sakho, who should start if fit.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek will likely continue to start on the right, while Yohan Cabaye and Luka Milivojevic will start in midfield. James McArthur’s return may lead to the Serbian being dropped. Bakary Sako may come back into the starting XI on the left wing, with Andros Townsend and Wilfried Zaha leading the line.
Probable Starting XI(4-2-3-1): Julian Speroni; Joel Ward, Mamadou Sakho, Scott Dann, Jeffrey Schlupp; Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Yohan Cabaye, Luka Milivojevic, Bakary Sako; Wilfried Zaha, Andros Townsend
Key Statistics
- Crystal Palace have failed to score in any of their last 4 away matches against Tottenham Hotspur in the League.
- Crystal Palace’s last away win against Tottenham Hotspur was 20 years ago, in November 1997.
- Ever since Pochettino’s managerial reign began at Tottenham Hotspur, they have won 31 points at home in London derbies, more than any of their cross town rivals.
- Crystal Palace have no scored an away goal in the Premier League since April 2017. 7 games or 646 minutes of football ago.
- In 4 home matches against Crystal Palace as manager of Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur, Mauricio Pochettino’s sides have never conceded a goal at home to Crystal Palace.
Player To Watch
Crystal Palace: Wilfried Zaha
The Englishman has been in fantastic form ever since he’s returned from injury. In four games this season, he has already scored 2 goals. In what has been a terrible season for the Eagles, he has been their finest player by far and is certainly the one to watch out for.
London derbies have seemed to bring the best out of him this season, and especially after his fantastic performances against other Chelsea and West Ham, Pochettino will certainly have instructed his defence to pay close attention to the former Manchester United man.
Prediction
Tottenham Hotspur 3-1 Crystal Palace
The Spurs are coming off of a historic 3-1 victory over UEFA Champions League holders Real Madrid and will be extremely high on confidence going into this tie. Crystal Palace on the other hand will be the better rested side, having had a whole week to prepare for their visit to Wembley.
We predict a comfortable 3-1 victory for Pochettino’s men tonight. They can now call upon key players like Harry Kane and Mousa Dembele once again and though Roy Hodgson’s Eagles won’t make it easy on them, now that they’ve rediscovered their goalscoring form.
Spurs should come away from this tie with all three points based because of the sheer quality of their personnel alone. That victory against Real Madrid came after two consecutive losses to West Ham and Manchester United, and they will certainly look to build more momentum going forward.
