Match Preview: Palace v Spurs – a hard test!
Match Preview: Palace v Spurs – a hard test!
My head for this game says a draw, but my heart will go for a win. Let’s be positive, but Palace will be a hard test.
We shall aim to continue our unbeaten season run against Roy Hodgson’s Palace. If we should win, we will be ahead by five points at the top of the Premier League. That is, until the others get into action.
We marked our return from the international break with a victory over Fulham on Monday to move us two points clear of the top spot, while Palace dropped to 11th place following a heavy defeat to Newcastle United.
Match preview
After nine games, we brag a points tally of 23 and the division’s only remaining unbeaten run (ok, Arsenic Poison and Old Lace are also unbeaten), having already scored 20 goals while only allowing eight at the other end.
Following a 2-2 draw away against Arsenic and Old Lace in the North London derby in late September, we now head into Friday’s trip on the back of three straight Premier League victories, firstly scraping past Liverpool in a 2-1 win thanks to a 90th-minute Joel Matip own goal, after initially leading through Son, before triumphing 1-0 away at Luton Town with Micky van de Ven netting the decisive goal. Against Fulham, Son and James Maddison both netted their goals in a 2-0 victory.
With a two-point lead at the top of the table for the first time this season, with City and the Gooners remaining hot on our heels, and following a quick turnaround after Monday’s win, we will be desperate to make it four wins on the bounce on Friday and go further clear at the top before the chasing pack return to action over the weekend.
Crystal Palace Premier League form:
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Crystal Palace form (all competitions):
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Tottenham Hotspur Premier League form:
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Spurs Team News
Despite the quick turnaround, we should continue to deploy a similar starting X1 from our victory over Fulham on Monday. One change is anticipated, though: Yves Bissouma will likely return to the midfield instead of Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg after serving a suspension last time out.
Pape Sarr who is expected to make it from the outset despite being forced off in the second half against Fulham, while Pedro Porro, Micky van de Ven, Cristian Romero and Destiny Udogie should certainly line up in an unchanged back four.
Rodrigo Bentancur is working with the group again but still needs time to build up his match fitness after eight months out.
Ryan Sessegnon (hamstring), Manor Solomon (knee), Ivan Perisic (knee) and Alfie Whiteman (ankle) remain out.
My possible starting lineup:
Vicario; Porro, Van De Ven, Romero, Udogie; Bissouma, Sarr; Kulusevski, Maddison, Richarlison; Son
My Prediction…
As I said earlier, my head says it will be a draw, while my heart says a win. So, I shall go with my heart and say we will win 3-1.
Crystal Palace have impressed defensively despite their heavy defeat last time out. Still, we looked daunting at the beginning of the new season with plenty of momentum on our side, and I can only envisage coming out on top on Friday.
So that is that… another nightly game, following Fulham’s game; the Palace game will be followed by Pochettino’s Rasputin’s team on Monday night (6th November).
The TV cameras like Ange Postecoglou’s revamped Mourinho/Conte’s defensive teams into forward attacking and possibly title challenging contenders.
On the subject of TV viewing… it has just been announced the new fixture changes for December and the beginning of January.
Fixture changes for Dec & Jan
West Ham H Thursday 7th December 8.15
Newcastle H Sunday 10th December 4.30
Forest A Friday15th Dec 8.00 pm
****Brighton A Thursday 28th Dec 7.30
Bournemouth H Sunday 31st December 2.00
Man Utd A Sunday 14th 4.30
****I could be wrong, but isn’t it the first time we haven’t played on Boxing Day for a long time?
For those that are going to the Palace game, hopefully, I will see you there; if not, enjoy it on TV or listing to it on the radio.
Up The Spurs!!
COYS!
Glenn