Match Preview: Crystal Palace v Spurs (a fourth straight win, maybe?)
SAT 11 SEPT 2021PREMIER LEAGUE Venue: Selhurst Park 12.30pm
After a two week break, we are back in action; this time, we travel to Selhurst Park to face Crystal Palace.
Nuno Espirito Santo has started off well for us – three wins in three in the league and at the top of the Premier league table and no goals conceded. We are also now in the Europa Conference League group stage, all looking good so far.
As for Palace, well, they have themselves a new face in the dugout in Arsenal’s Patrick Vieira, but fortunes are different for him, as they seem to be mimicking the Gooners and searching for their first win of the season. Since their defeat to Chelsea on opening day, Palace have put together back-to-back draws against Brentford and West Ham, respectively (I presume in the hope of trying to show Arsenal how to get points?). However, in their case, they do have two points to their name, unlike pointless Arsenal.
TEAM NEWS
Palace
Crystal Palace’s summer signings Odsonne Edouard and Michael Olise could be in line for a game. Their Captain Luka Milivojevic is also expected to make his first appearance of the season, but Eberechi Eze remains a long-term absentee.
Tottenham
We are without Giovani Lo Celso, Cristian Romero and Davinson Sanchez as they need to follow Covid-19 protocols, having played for their home countries.
Son is a doubt after injuring his calf on international duty. Steven Bergwijn is also a doubt after being substituted during the Netherlands’ clash with Turkey. Also, Oliver Skipp may miss Saturday’s game after limping off with a groin problem picked up on England U21 duty, while Ryan Sessegnon will be absent altogether.
My thoughts and Prediction.
Even though some will say that we haven’t done anything remarkable so far this season, I would disagree. I thought we defended well in all three games, battled magnificently, and earned our nine points satisfactorily. Tactically Nuno was spot on. Of course, Nuno is an unknown force, and with all our injuries we’ve got, he will need to show how good he is at man-management and using those fringe players well and to our advantage while those injured recuperate.
As for Harry Kane, well, he is back and scoring, as well as for England; however, I am concerned that Son might not play in the Palace game for us and join Kane in our attacking formation.
With all our injuries, I still fancy us to continue with our 100% record and dig in at the top of the league.
As for Palace, they got a good point against West Ham and seemed to have picked up a bit more each game they have played in.
My possible starting lineup:
Lloris; Emerson, Tanganga, Dier, Reguilon; Hojbjerg, Winks; Lucas, Alli, Gil; Kane
As you will see, I’ve picked the two new recruits to start: Gil & Emerson. Also, a start for Winks.
Last Five games between the two clubs
Tottenham 4-1 Crystal Palace (PL) – 07/03/21
Crystal Palace 1-1 Tottenham (PL) – 13/12/20
Crystal Palace 1-1 Tottenham (PL) – 26/07/20
Tottenham 4-0 Crystal Palace (PL) – 14/09/19
Tottenham 2-0 Crystal Palace (PL) – 03/04/19
Crystal Palace Premier League form:
LDD
Crystal Palace form (all competitions):
LDLD
Tottenham Hotspur Premier League form:
WWW
Tottenham Hotspur form (all competitions):
WLWWW
Prediction: 0-3
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
Crystal Palace are without a win in 12 Premier League meetings since a 2-1 win in January 2015.
The Eagles have won only one of their 16 league matches versus us since returning to the Premier League in 2013.
We could earn a 13th top-flight away victory at Palace, the most by any club.
Crystal Palace
Palace are the first side to start a top-flight campaign with four consecutive London derbies. They are without a win in their last 11 games in the Premier League.
This campaign, the Eagles have had the fewest shots (20) and shots on target (five) of any team in the top flight.
Wilfried Zaha has failed to register a goal or an assist in 12 Premier League games against us.
Tottenham Hotspur
We have started a league campaign with three wins and three clean sheets for the first time in our history. The only teams to have begun a top-flight campaign with four wins and no goals against are Aston Villa in 1900-01, Ipswich Town in 1974-75, Chelsea in 2005-06 and Manchester City in 2015-16.
On the two previous occasions in which we started a season with three clean sheets (1924-25 and 2005-06), we lost 2-0 in our fourth game.
We are aiming to win our opening four top-flight matches to a season for only the fourth time. We last did so in 2009-10.
Nuno Espirito Santo is looking to become the second manager to oversee a clean sheet in his opening four Premier League matches in charge of a club, emulating Joe Royle at Everton in 1994.
We have scored in 18 successive league fixtures, the longest current streak in the top flight.
Well, that is it, my facts, predictions, team selection, injuries and other bits and pieces for you to mull over as you get ready for this game. I am feeling confident and looking forward to going to tomorrows game. Can’t wait. For those that are going, see you there.
Stay safe, Glenn
COYS!
My name is Glenn Renshaw.
I am currently a Premium Season Ticket holder (West Stand) in the new stadium. Before that – at White Hart Lane – a season ticket holder in various parts of the ground (mainly in the North stand).
Before becoming a season ticket holder, I stood on the shelf and various other parts of the ground since the 1960s (the season of the double). In 1987 I became one of the first to hold a Spurs Membership card. I was also a life long member of the Spurs supporters club (now defunct).
I go to all home, away and abroad matches.
I was born in 1955, Edgware, London. I currently live in Berkshire.
I also collect all Spurs books, Spurs handbooks, Spurs programmes etc.
Previously, I wrote for Spurs Fanzines: The Spur, Spur of the Moment, My Eyes have seen the Glory and various other Spurs fanzines’. I also wrote for the SpursWeb app & its website.
I currently write and work for spursnetwork.com and its website. I write its Reviews & Match reports and a lot more.
My other interests are; reading, history, social history, Politics, going to the gym, wine, going out for a meal, music (all sorts), writing, theatre, concerts, going on holidays, socialising etc.
I have been writing blogs/ articles since 1989
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