Tottenham v Crystal Palace – Preview, Predictions and Best Bets

Tottenham host Crystal Palace in the English Premier League on Saturday. Spurs’ last five league matches have yielded 19 goals. The Eagles kept a first clean sheet in 15 league matches last time out. Tottenham have won the last four clashes between the clubs.

Spurs Form

Spurs are struggling for consistency right now. Their last ten league matches have yielded six wins but it was five wins in seven and it’s now a single win in three EPL fixtures. Their last 18 matches have only brought one clean sheet, in a 1-0 FA Cup victory against Burnley. A 2-2 draw at Man Utd preceded a 1-0 home loss to Man City in the FA Cup with just one shot attempted.

Tottenham responded to beat Brentford 3-2 but a late goal leaked saw two points dropped in a 2-2 draw at Everton. A 96th minute goal saw them beat Brighton 2-1 at home as they outshot the Seagulls 16-6. Last time out, they lost 2-1 at home to Wolves with two cheap goals leaked despite having 71% of the ball.

Spurs Team News

Pedro Porro is set to be absent at right back for this match. Destiny Udogie is doubtful with a knee injury but he has a good chance of being involved. Manor Solomon, Ryan Sessegnon, and Fraser Forster are the other players ruled out.

Ange Postecoglou may not make many changes to the XI which lost to Wolves. Rodrigo Bentancur and Brennan Johnson may be forced to settle for bench roles.

Spurs Motivation

Postecoglou’s side will play on the front foot and dominate possession. A draw would be seen as a poor result.

They will throw on extra attackers if needed to chase the game if the scores are level.

Crystal Palace Form

From mid-November to late December, Palace went winless in eight league matches as pressure mounted on Roy Hodgson. A 3-1 home win over Brentford ended 2023 on a good note but a run of one win in seven matches followed in all competitions. A 5-0 defeat at Arsenal preceded a key 3-2 home win over Sheffield United with Michael Olise in inspired form.

Without him, they lost 4-1 at Brighton four days later and then conceded two stoppage-time goals to lose 3-1 at Selhurst Park to Chelsea. Two good results have followed. They conceded late to draw 1-1 at Everton under a caretaker coach and then won 3-0 at home to ten-man Burnley last weekend under newly appointed Oliver Glasner.

Crystal Palace Team News

Palace are struggling with numerous big injuries. Michael Olise is out long-term and Marc Guehi will play no part after a knee injury. Cheick Doucoure remains out for several more months in midfield.

Joachim Andersen will hope to shake off a knock to start in defence. Will Hughes is another who needs a late fitness test. Eberechi Eze has trained all week and could be used from either the start or as a substitute.

Crystal Palace Motivation

The Eagles would take a draw here in a heartbeat. Last week’s win took them eight points clear of the drop zone.

New coach Oliver Glasner used a back five against Burnley and could set up to be hard to beat.

Key Stats

Spurs have won 6 of their last 10 EPL matches

Tottenham have won 5 of their last 6 home EPL matches (15 goals scored)

Crystal Palace have lost their last 4 matches vs Tottenham

Crystal Palace have won 3 of their last 7 league matches

Verdict

The hosts should have enough to win this match, especially considering their current winning streak against Palace. Son Heung-Min should be fully refreshed and is a good bet to score.

Best Bet: Tottenham win (-1 handicap) at 2.15

Alternate Bet: Tottenham Win and Son Heung-Min to score at 2.65

Value Bet: Tottenham win and both teams to score at 2.80

James O'Connor

James is a football analyst who writes about the tactics of the PSL and English Premier League. He holds the UEFA A coaching licence and has previously worked for several clubs in analysis roles.Twitter: https://twitter.com/footy_analysis