Merry Christmas to all: Spurs v C Palace (review)

Merry Christmas to all: Spurs v C Palace (review)

Merry Christmas to you all… I hope you get all you've asked for… even Tottenham winning the League this season (ok, maybe not that, but a fourth position and a cup or two would be excellent!). And we've got Conte at the helm… What more do we want?

Has Santa come down your chimney today, children? I left a mince pie and some milk and snuck downstairs this morning, and the milk was untouched, and there was no presents… bastard! Nobody came down my chimney this Christmas… so I decided to write you this match preview today (it should have been yesterday). I know, sad, but true! But it is a gift… anyway, to the matter in hand…

Tottenham Hotspur (that is the team we support)  play host to Palace tomorrow (Boxing Day), and we hope to extend our five-match unbeaten streak in the League. Now, if we should win, we could go fifth (and depending on the other teams losing above us)… and of course, if we win our games in hand (yes, a big "if"), we could go 4^th. And hopefully, to help that along, we purchase good talent in the January Transfer window.

As I said, we face Palace, and they sit 11^th  spot after just one win from their last six fixtures.

Review

Tottenham

We've collected 11 points in the Premier League under our new manager, but we've still got to get the right rhythm. I think there is more to come under Conte's management.

Harry Kane finally netted his second Premier League goal of the season in our pulsating 2-2 draw with Liverpool. And even Lucas Moura has upped his game under Conte. Yes, he has contributed three goals and an assist since November 4, the latest during our 2-1 win over the Bubble blowing fanatics in the League Cup quarter-finals.

Palace

As for Patrick Vieira's team, they have netted five times in two homes games versus Everton and Southampton. But consistency does remain an issue, however, I feel they will get there eventually… provided Viera is given time. Currently, they are sitting nine points above the relegation death zone.

Tottenham Hotspur Premier League form:

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Tottenham Hotspur form (all competitions):

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Crystal Palace Premier League form:

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Team News

Tottenham

Conte could revert to using a 3-4-3 formation, with Dele Alli and Tanguy Ndombele dropping out of the A-team, which held Liverpool.

I think Harry Winks and Moura will a start. As for Steven Bergwij, I think he will be on the substitutes bench.

We have reported no fresh injury or Covid-19 concerns.

Cristian Romero and Ryan Sessegnon remain sidelined with hamstring and thigh muscle problems.

Palace

Joachim Andersen in with  James Tomkins dropping to the bench.  Vicente Guaita will be given a second successive outing to Jack Butland.

Patrick Vieira said on Friday that the Eagles have "had a couple of cases" of Covid-19 in the last few days.

James MacArthur will be absent again because of a hamstring injury.

My possible predicted starting lineup:

Lloris; Sanchez, Dier, Davies; Emerson, Winks, Hojbjerg, Reguilon; Moura, Kane, Son

My thoughts and prediction

We are still unbeaten with Antonio Cont at the helm, that is, after five games in charge, he is starting to sculpt the squad into his own image.

As we all know, the Eagles outplayed us under hapless Nuno, which eventually saw his removal and an Italian stallion take over. Nevertheless, our opponents will still be a threat, but they will face a totally different Spurs team this time around.

So, what is my prediction? I think it is possible that they could get a  goal, but we will retaliate with three of our own.

Prediction: 3-1 or 4-1

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

We have won the last six Premier League home meetings by an aggregate score of 13-1.

Palace are competing to win back-to-back league games against Spurs for the first time.

Spurs

We are unbeaten in our last 14 league fixtures on Boxing Day - the longest ongoing run in England's top four divisions.

This is our fifth Premier League home game in a row.

We have scored nine goals in our last four league matches, as many as in our first 11 fixtures this season.

We have lost five of our last six Premier League London derbies.

Harry Kane's tally of eight Premier League goals on Boxing Day is one away from the record held by Robbie Fowler.

Kane has scored in all five of his top-flight Boxing Day appearances.

Crystal Palace

In October, Palace's solitary away league victory came at Manchester City in eight attempts.

Palace's only Premier League away win on Boxing Day was against Aston Villa in 2013.

Palace have scored seven goals in their past three Premier League London derbies, as many as in their previous 10.

The Eagles are one short of 100 top-flight away victories.

Palace are 11th, their second-highest Premier League position on Christmas Day. They were sixth under Alan Pardew in 2015-16.

Conor Gallagher has been directly involved in nine Premier League goals this season, scoring six and setting up three.

That is it for now. I am off to get my mince pie and glass of milk (topped up with gin) on this Lonely winter's festive day. Never mind, it will be Spurs day tomorrow (Boxing Day).

Santa may not have come down my chimney, but I had treated myself (purchased) the latest James Bond DVD for this day, and with a Turkey to cook, I'll be having Turkey sandwiches while watching Daniel Craige perform his last James Bond stunts.

Merry Christmas to all (and up the Spurs!).

Glenn

Merry Christmas from me