CRYSTAL PALACE VS TOTTENHAM: PREVIEW
- Morgan Jones
- Nov 9, 2018
- 2 min read
After their impressive comeback against PSV in the Champions League, Spurs will be looking to carry that momentum forward as they travel to London rivals Crystal Palace.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side put in a gritty display to keep their Champions League hopes alive and have won three consecutive games in all competitions.
Crystal Palace are yet to win at home this season and have managed to score only twice with both of those goals coming in their 2-2 draw with Arsenal.
TEAM NEWS:
Moussa Dembele has been ruled out until 2019 with an ankle injury for Tottenham.
Victor Wanyama and Eric Dier have returned to training and could be available for the game but Jan Vertonghen and Danny Rose remain sidelined.
Palace will be without striker Christian Benteke who is currently undergoing rehabilitation from knee surgery.
Joel Ward and Connor Wickham are both out with thigh injuries whilst Scott Dann is also out.
THE MANAGERS:
Palace boss Roy Hodgson believes his side “have to keep going” and put in some “good performances” if they want to win games.
Crystal Palace have only scored eight goals this season and the majority of them have been scored by midfielders, but Hodgson isn't too concerned by this.
“Luka [Milovojevic] scored two penalties as a result of forward play, and Andros was playing as a forward last weekend," Hodgson said.
"I can’t complain or criticise what the players are trying to do. We have scored three in the last two games, so that is not quite so bad.
"We would like to score more goals, of course we would, but I can’t, in any way, complain or criticise what the players are trying to do in training or in matches, and we have scored three in the last two games, against Arsenal and Chelsea, so that is not quite so bad.”
Harry Kane’s brace was enough to give Tottenham the win against PSV on Tuesday and Pochettino confirmed it has raised spirits in the Spurs camp.
“I think it was fantastic," Pochettino revealed. "We played really well and created a lot of chances.
"It was a night that was difficult from the beginning because we conceded a goal and then it was tough to score.
"I think it was a night that was, after that game, we feel well and happy because all the effort in the end we found the reward and fully deserved the victory.
We are still alive, with the hope to be in the Champions League. If we win the two games and anything in football can happen, it's only two games and then the next stage of the Champions League.
"You know me, I am so optimistic. I never give up and the team is going to be the same.”
MATCH STATS:
- Tottenham have won their last six Premier League games against Crystal Palace and have conceded just one goal in those matches.
- Mauricio Pochettino has won 8 Premier League games against Crystal Palace – more than against any other side.
- The Eagles have never lost seven consecutive Premier League games against a single opponent.
- 25 of the 26 goals scored in Premier League games between Palace and Tottenham have arrived in the second half, with just one first-half goal in the last 14 encounters.
BETTING ODDS:
Crystal Palace - 16/5
Tottenham Hotspur - 5/6
Draw: 11/4
Comments