Crystal Palace
Tottenham Hotspur FC
Tottenham Hotspur FC
Tottenham aim to continue fantastic form at the top against dangerous Palace side
Tottenham to win 2-1
The momentum continues to build behind Jose Mourinho’s Tottenham following another impressive victory over a big team. This time it was Arsenal who fell to Spurs in the North London derby, comfortably beaten 2-0.
Spurs have, like a typical Mourinho team, built themselves a solid foundation at the back, with plenty of firepower up front – Harry Kane and Son Heung-Min yet again showing their quality with goals last weekend.
This can only go on for so long before they are labelled title favourites, particularly with a manager of their experience and quality at the helm.
Crystal Palace have been mixed this season, but represent a tough challenge for Spurs to deal with, particularly their attacking threat.
Wilf Zaha returned from injury to help them to a resounding 5-1 victory last weekend over West Brom. The Eagles sit on the verge of the top half of the table, with a win likely to propel them upwards.
A Tottenham win is the most likely outcome, however.
Form Guide (all comps): LWLLW
Reasons to be cheerful:
Dangerous attack can cause Spurs issues
Nine goals scored in last two victories
Reasons to be fearful:
Haven’t beaten Spurs in last 10 fixtures
Up and down season means lack of consistency
It is hard to tell which Crystal Palace will turn up from week to week, such has been their inconsistency so far this season.
Smashing four and five past Leeds and West Brom respectively, but also losing tamely to Newcastle and Burnley without even scoring. These are the huge variations in form which sees Crystal Palace hover just below the top half of the table currently.
Welcoming back Wilf Zaha from injury was a big boost last weekend, and if he is fully on form, he can present a real danger to Spurs.
However, their record against their opponents has been poor, failing to register a victory in any of their previous 10 matches and it would be hard, if not impossible, to change that here.
Star Man – Wilf Zaha
Returned with a bang last weekend, scoring two to take his tally this season to seven.
Form Guide (all comps): WDDWW
Reasons to be cheerful
Tightest defence in the league
Won seven of the last 10 league matches
Reasons to be fearful
Palace’s attacking players can be dangerous
Lots of pressure on Kane and Son’s shoulders
Tottenham will face a different challenge this weekend, compared to their wins over teams such as Manchester United and Arsenal.
Crystal Palace are a team who prefer to play on the counterattack, using the pace of their forward players to do the damage.
Spurs have been a similar team this season, keeping solid at the back and then transitioning quickly using the quality of Kane and Son in forward areas. It will be interesting when they are required to come out and play on the front foot a bit more this weekend.
However, there can be no denying the quality which Spurs have upfront. Son is the first Spurs player to reach double figures at this stage of the season since Gary Lineker in 1992, while Harry Kane continues to show his world-class ability.
They were able to rest nine players for their midweek Europa League fixture, so they should be fresh for this one.
Star Man – Harry Kane
His all-round play has never been better and, even though Son has more goals, is Spurs’ most important player
Spurs are favourites, though Palace could spring surprise
Kane, Son or both could get on the scoresheet
Wilf Zaha key for Palace
Tottenham are favourites to continue their great run of form and retain their place at the top of the Premier League when they take on Crystal Palace.
However, if Palace put on the kind of show which they did against Manchester United earlier in the season, or in their recent wins, Spurs could have a tough match on their hands.
Palace’s inconsistency makes this hard to call, but Spurs could just edge it with the quality they have across the pitch.
Tottenham to win 2-1
