Match Preview: Spurs v Palace (a game we need to win if we want to challenge for a top 4 spot)

 

Match Preview: Spurs v Palace (a game we need to win if we want to challenge for a top 4 spot)

After our defeat against Wolves, I thought we had blown any chance of getting into the top four. But looking at the table, we’ve got a game over the other top four teams. Nevertheless, we must beat Palace and defeat Villa at their own ground to get a Champions League spot (or hope they slip up). I think the fight for fourth position is between us, Villa and maybe United. If we can’t manage a Champions League place, it is Europa League for us next season (which I believe we should achieve if a top-four spot goes wonky).

Following a rare fortnight with no football, we are finally back on track with an encounter against Crystal Palace in a capital derby.

Previously, we went down 2-1 to Wolves two weeks ago, while the Oliver Glasner era at Selhurst Park began with a 3-0 stampede of Burnley last weekend.

The reason there was no football last weekend was we had to endure watching (or not watching) Pochettino’s men get humiliated by the Bin-dippers (this was in the League Cup final).

Spurs 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

We were dealt two crushing defensive blows before the loss to Wolves, as after Pedro Porro and Destiny Udogie sat out an open training session at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, both missed the tie due to strain and knee issues, respectively. 

Udogie's problem is expected to clear up in time for the London derby. However, a question mark is still hanging over Porro's head, and fellow wide man Ryan Sessegnon could now miss the rest of the season after another cruel hamstring blow; the Englishman has undergone surgery after hurting himself in Under-21s action.

Fraser Forster (foot) and Manor Solomon (knee) welcome the luckless Sessegnon back into the treatment room, and Udogie's expected recall should see Ben Davies drop back down to his usual place on the bench.

My predicted Spurs possible starting lineup:

Vicario; Royal, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie; Bissouma, Sarr; Kulusevski, Maddison, Son; Richarlison

Prediction

I say a 3-1 to us

Each of our last nine Premier League home matches has seen us fail to keep a clean sheet, and a re-energised Palace boosted by the anticipated return of Eze should be expected to prolong our miserable defensive streak on our patch. Nevertheless, the two-week recuperation period is just what the doctor ordered for a side who appeared a little leggy, and while it may not be pretty, I expect our free-scoring boys to return to conquering ways.

On this date (when we meet Palace, March 1st), we faced Southampton in an FA Cup tie (1995).

Ronny Rosenthal is best remembered for his quick-fire hat trick that turned our tie against Southampton on its head. We had found ourselves two goals down by halftime, but our manager Gerry Francis brought Rosenthal on, and the game changed completely. He scored twice to take the match to extra time, where Sheringham, Barmby, and Anderton scored to give us a 6-2 victory to complete an incredible comeback.

Ronny Rosenthal is often seen in the Premium Lounge. I’ve often chatted to him about his time at Spurs—he is a very nice man.

With Ronny Rosenthal

I was going to say there are other games to look out for, but only United have a challenging game this weekend (against City); the others should breeze through the weekend as they have lower opposition (strugglers, in fact).

Up the Spurs!

COYS!

Glenn