Tottenham hosts Crystal Palace hoping to keep their slim Champions League hopes alive and return to winning ways.
Only Tottenham can come into a week looking like the worst team in the division and then put in their best performance and get beaten. Such has been the story of Spurs in these last seven days. The crunching defeat to Newcastle United got followed by the comeback draw against Manchester United.
Then when Tottenham went to Liverpool, it seemed like a repeat of the Newcastle game. Spurs went three goals down in 15 minutes, and it did feel like the Merseysiders were in the mood for another crushing performance at Anfield. Instead, Ryan Mason was able to turn things around, and Richarlison scored a stoppage-time equaliser.
Tottenham Hotspur over the last two weekends:
⚫️ 5-0 down vs Newcastle in 21 minutes
🔴 3-0 down vs Liverpool in 15 minutesDifferent day, same Tottenham 😢 pic.twitter.com/oKpNooa31u
— SPORTbible (@sportbible) April 30, 2023
But a glaring error from Lucas Moura handed Diogo Jota the ball, who converted from close range to win the game. The defeat may have ended Tottenham’s Champions League hopes, and now they have to fight to cling to a Europa League spot. Now, they face a resurgent Crystal Palace side hoping to end their four-game winless run.
Like Spurs, Palace experienced a seven-goal thriller against West Ham last weekend. The Eagles were in control for the most part. But a Nayef Ageurd goal in the 72nd minute ensured a nervy ending for Roy Hodgson’s men, but they saw the game through.
It’s been a resurgent period for Palace since Hodgson took over, winning four of their six games. The victory over West Ham got them to the magical 40-point mark, which should keep them in the Premier League next season.
That win and Chelsea’s subsequent defeat ensured Palace got above their London rivals and are again in the mix for a top-half finish. Yet, they have four more important games to go before the season ends, and the Tottenham one is their most difficult clash.
Team News & Tactics
Tottenham Hotspur
At least five first-team players continue to miss out for Tottenham. Those include Emerson Royal, Hugo Lloris, Rodrigo Bentancur, Ryan Sessegnon and Yves Bissouma. There are also considerable doubts about Oliver Skipp, who got left bloodied against Liverpool.
Next up we host the Eagles 🦅
🔜 #TOTCRY pic.twitter.com/CEAru6tbgo
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) May 5, 2023
Pape Sarr could come in his place in midfield, but beyond that, not many changes could happen in the team to face Palace. Meanwhile, Richarlison’s performance against Liverpool could warrant a start at the weekend, and he could replace Dejan Kulusevski in the attacking front three.
Eric Dier will continue to anchor the backline, with Ben Davies and Cristian Romero on either side. Fraser Forster will keep his place in goal behind. With Skipp likely to sit out, Sarr and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg will marshall the central midfield ranks.
Son Heung-min will possibly move to the right-hand side of the attack in Kulusevski’s place to accommodate Richarlison on the left. Harry Kane will continue leading the line for Spurs, hoping to add to his tally as the season draws close.
Probable Lineup (3-4-3) – Forster; Romero, Dier, Davis; Porro, Sarr, Hojbjerg, Perisic; Son, Kane, Richarlison
Crystal Palace
Palace have the usual absentees ahead of the Tottenham game. Nathan Ferguson, James Tomkins and Nathaniel Clyne are absent from the picture. Hodgson will name an unchanged lineup from the West Ham win last time. Wilfried Zaha will feature again despite picking up a knock against the Hammers.
"Clyne is back in training so that's good news. We've lost James Tomkins to injury and Ahamada has a knock on his ankle, he'll have a fitness test tomorrow."
Roy Hodgson on team news ahead of the weekend ℹ️#CPFC pic.twitter.com/7OjTP2VLrf
— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) May 4, 2023
James Tomkins is also doubtful after sitting out of training sessions this week. Hodgson will continue with his 4-3-3 set-up with Cheick Doucoure sitting at the base of midfield. Eberechi Eze and Jeffrey Schlupp will provide support from central positions, with the former set to assume a typical No.10 role occasionally.
Michael Olise will hope to continue his bright form in the attacking third as he takes his spot on the right side of the attack. Zaha will hope to start after the knock against the Hammers, while Jordan Ayew should keep his place ahead of Odsonne Edouard to lead the line for Palace.
At the back, Sam Johnstone should continue keeping Vicente Guaita out of the starting lineup after some impressive performances since deputising. He should have a familiar back four in Joel Ward, Joachim Andersen, Marc Guehi and Tyrick Mitchell.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3) – Johnstone; Ward, Andersen, Guehi, Mitchell; Eze, Doucoure, Schlupp; Olise, Ayew, Zaha
Key Stats
- Tottenham have won their last 6 home matches against Crystal Palace in all competitions.
- Tottenham have scored at least 3 goals in their last 3 home matches against Crystal Palace in all competitions.
- Tottenham have conceded 15 goals in their last 4 Premier League games.
- Crystal Palace have won 4 of their last 6 Premier League games.
- Crystal Palace have not beaten Tottenham away from home since 1997.
Player To Watch
Harry Kane
208 Premier League goals.
Harry Kane is now level with Wayne Rooney as the second highest goalscorer in @premierleague history.
One of our own, @HKane 🤍 pic.twitter.com/sUV8IiO4ff
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) May 1, 2023
Kane was again instrumental in a Tottenham comeback as he was against Manchester United in the game before. While Spurs have been experiencing late wake-up calls, their talismanic forward has been alert enough to help them perform well.
One can only imagine their fate in the last two games without Kane on the side. From Tottenham’s perspective, there’s still plenty to play for, considering their European ambitions remain threatened. Kane has to continue playing a key role in this aspect, try to win all the remaining games and possibly hope their other rivals slip up.
Prediction
Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 Crystal Palace
Going by the form of these two teams, it’s difficult to predict the right outcome. Tottenham, on the one hand, have been showing signs they can perform well despite results going against them. Palace have been resurgent in the last few weeks.
Palace have also got into the habit of scoring plenty of goals, and they might nick one or two in north London. However, Spurs are under more pressure coming into this game, which could have a telling effect on the outcome. Our prediction points to a narrow win for Tottenham, although Palace can spring up and draw the contest.
