Crystal Palace vs Tottenham Hotspur

Winless Crystal Palace face a tough task if they want to end their unwanted run when they host an in-form Tottenham Hotspur at Selhurst Park on Sunday.

Spurs have won four of their last five games in all competitions, scoring 14 goals in the process, while comparatively, Palace have scored just three in their last five games, two of which came in their narrow Carabao Cup win over QPR.

With rumors of the Palace hierarchy getting impatient with manager Oliver Glasner, Palace really need to come away from this match with points, and more importantly, respectability.

As the game approaches, here is everything you need to know about both sides ahead of kick-off.

Key Statistics

• Palace haven’t scored in their last two home games, a trend which needs to end if they are to gain something against free scoring Tottenham.
• However, they do have a reasonable defensive record, with their 11 goals conceded the best of the bottom eight teams.
• Tottenham have risen to seventh in the league after a slow start which saw them lie 13th after four games.
• Spurs playmaker James Maddison has been a creative spark this season, and has the highest expected assists figure of any player, with 3.6.

Crystal Palace Preview

Crystal Palace Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1): Dean Henderson (GK); Tyrick Mitchell, Marc Guehi, Maxence Lacroix, Daniel Munoz; Jefferson Lerma, Adam Wharton; Ebere Eze, Daichi Kamada, Ismaila Sarr; Jean-Philippe Mateta.

Given their recent struggles with their 3-4-2-1 approach, which I discussed in depth earlier this week, I would be surprised if Oliver Glasner went with the same strategy again. The lineup above was discussed as a possible replacement tactic, and looking at it, there are very few holes.

Mitchell would play deeper on the left flank where he is comfortable, and with Wahrton and Lerma protecting the defense from a little deepers, Spurs will find it tricky to break them down. Jean-Phiippe Mateta looks set to be chosen for this game, as his physicality and running could offer a different test to the speed and technique of Eddie Nketiah.

Palace require at least a point from this one if Glasner wants to avoid talks about his job security, and while it will be a tough ask, it can certainly be done if he makes a few alterations.

Tottenham Hotspur Preview

Tottenham Hotspur Predicted Lineup (4-3-3): Guglielmo Vicario (GK); Destiny Udogie, Micky Van de Ven, Cristian Romero, Pedro Porro; James Maddison, Yves Bissouma, Dejan Kulusevski; Timo Werner, Dominic Solanke, Brennan Johnson.

After failing to win three of their first four games, Spurs have now gone on to win three of the next four, a run which has lifted them to the edge of the European football battle. Prolific goalscorers throughout this sequence, it seems Ange Postecoglou’s side have finally hit their stride.

Brennan Johnson coming off the back of a confidence boosting six game scoring run, and Son Heung Min almost back to full fitness, Spurs have clicked into gear, and will have a chance to go at a Palace team bereft of confidence right now.

However, they cannot get complacent. After the Palace game, they face Aston Villa, Manchester City twice, Roma and Galatasaray in November, so they need to make every point count, and that starts with roundly beating lesser opposition like Palace.

Crystal Palace vs Tottenham Hotspur Head to Head

Recent meetings:

• 02/03/2024: Spurs 3-1 Palace.
• 27/10/2023: Palace 1-2 Spurs.
• 06/05/2023: Spurs 1-0 Palace.
• 04/01/2023: Palace 0-4 Spurs.
• 26/12/2022: Spurs 3-0 Palace.

Crystal Palace vs Tottenham Hotspur Betting Tip

The head, table position and recent form indicate only one winner. Tottenham should come through this one with ease, and look likely to score 2 or 3 goals while they’re at it.

If Palace change their starting lineup, they may provide sterner opposition, but with the explosive speed the Spur’s side possess, it would be a tough test for the Eagles even if they were in form.

Crystal Palace vs Tottenham Hotspur Final Prediction

Crystal Palace 0-3 Tottenham Hotspur

Even without the likes of Son, who looks set to miss this game to recover fully from injury, Spurs should waltz through this one, and would temporarily move into the top five should they pick up three points. Looking to be growing into the season with each passing game, Spur’s will soon be a threat for the title chasers.