Spurs vs Crystal Palace – Analysis, Prediction, Team News

As part of our weekend Premier League predictions, we take a look at Crystal Palace’s trip to Tottenham. Palace are above Spurs in the form table for the last 10 games. Can they get a result? Free betting tips and more with our Spurs vs Crystal Palace prediction.

Team News

Injuries and Suspensions

Spurs:

Might Not Play: Lloris, Sessegnon, Skipp

Will Not Play: Bentancur, Emerson Royal, Bissouma

Crystal Palace:

Might Not Play: Clyne, Zaha

Will Not Play: Ferguson

Spurs vs Crystal Palace Lineups (Predicted)

Spurs (3-4-3 / 3-4-2-1): Forster; Davies, Dier, Romero; Perisic, Skipp, Hojbjerg, Porro; Son, Kane, Kulusevski

Crystal Palace (4-3-3): Johnstone; Mitchell, Guehi, Andersen, Ward; Doucoure, Schlupp, Eze; Zaha, Edouard, Olise

Spurs vs Crystal Palace Analysis

Spurs Must Take Heart From Their Initial Comeback At Anfield

It’s clear that Spurs have been in chaos recently. However, their comebacks against Man Utd and their fight back against Liverpool (before losing it) highlight the presence of some heart and defiance in this side. They are playing for pride and their careers under the next manager and know they must give their all between now and the end of the season.

These two teams tend to play without the ball, having averaged less than 50 per cent possession each this season. A massive part of Spurs’ game plan is to let the opposition have the ball and then break on them with the pace of Son, Kulusevski, Richarlison and Danjuma and the invention and creativity of Kane. What is concerning is that for large spells of the Newcastle, Man Utd and Liverpool matches, Spurs were not pressing in midfield. This situation is unacceptable; if you give good players time on the ball, they can destroy you (and they did, hence conceding 12 goals in those three games).

Hojbjerg, Skipp and the back five must be much more proactive as they were second half against Liverpool – they must close down the opposition and give them a lack of time on the ball. If the Spurs players can do this, they can win it in the defensive and midfield thirds and quickly play the ball forward for the wingers to chase. Son has looked a little more like his old self recently – his pace, dribbling and shooting on counter-attacks will be crucial, as will Kulusevski’s trickery. Kane will play his usual passing game and must take any chances when he gets in the box. With 25 league goals, he is Spurs’ most significant threat.

It is also vital that Spurs are more solid defensively than they have been – Dier and Romero have looked highly vulnerable recently and will be bereft of confidence. Perisic and Porro must strike the right balance of when to attack and when to sit deeper to help their three centre-backs. Skipp and Hojbjerg must also protect their defenders.

Palace Scored Four Goals Against West Ham And Must Not Be Negative Against Spurs

We have seen something surprising since Hodgson’s return. This current attacking, positive Palace side doesn’t resemble the team he took charge of in his first spell. Indeed, they have been scoring plenty of goals, with five at Leeds and four at the weekend against West Ham. The Eagles must continue in this vein – they cannot go to Spurs and be passive or slow, as this is what Spurs will want. Spurs are at their worst when the opposition is intense and puts them under pressure in midfield and defensive areas, and we think Palace will do this.

The defence and midfield must stay compact as a unit and prevent spaces from developing that Spurs can play in. Crosses will come into the box from Spurs – Guehi and Andersen must head the ball away and get in blocks and interceptions. Ward and Mitchell will sometimes get forwards from full-back, but they will also be mindful of the Spurs threat on the flanks, so we think they’ll be more cautious more often.

In midfield, Doucoure, Schlupp and Eze have been great recently. The former two will work tirelessly, closing gaps that Spurs can find and also pressing the Spurs midfielders to try to win the ball for fast breaks. Eze has been scoring goals, and his ability to join the attack gives Palace a further dimension in attack. When they can get the ball forward, the dribbling and pace of Olise, Eze and Zaha (if fit) are massive weapons and can help Palace get in behind the Spurs wing-backs and dribble or cross into the box. Edouard, Mateta or Ayew will likely start up front, and they must demonstrate good hold-up and link-up play and take chances when they arrive.

Our Prediction

Spurs are still struggling with confidence, and Palace’s best hope here (or for any side against Spurs) is to be attacking and go after the Spurs players. Spurs will be happier if Palace sit deep in a low block and give them time and space to pick passes. What Spurs do not want right now is a team pressing them intensely and giving them no time to breathe. It is difficult to predict how Palace will play. However, given that they are safe and can go out and play freely, we expect them to be quite proactive (as they have been in recent weeks).

Spurs have drawn only one game in 17 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this season. However, this means they are due another. It actually wouldn’t surprise us if Palace showed up and won, piling more misery on Spurs. Generally, though, we anticipate a tight contest, with Palace being positive and both sides being a threat on the counter. We believe both teams can score goals in this game – it could be a narrow victory either way, and we would be backing Spurs if they were in better form, but we will call it a draw.

Spurs 2-2 Crystal Palace

Spurs vs Crystal Palace Betting Tip – Draw Odds: