There is massive pressure on Crystal Palace to get out of the mini slump they are enduring, which has seen them be winless in five Premier League games. Worse still, they have failed to score in all of these games and have conceded eight goals. They still find themselves in the 8th spot but if they are to try and attain European qualification, they must change things and start getting back to winning ways.
Tottenham travel to Palace to take Alan Pardew’s men on in the Premier League. A win would continue to pile pressure on the top three as Spurs are slowly emerging as genuine title contenders.
Team News
Crystal Palace
The Eagles don’t have any fresh injury concerns and could be boosted by the return of Yannick Bolasie whose absence directly coincided with Palace’s winless run. However, Bolasie might find himself on the bench if Pardew doesn’t want to rush him and could be used as an impact substitute.
Tottenham Hotspur
Pochettino’s men have had one of the best fitness records this season, if not the best. They also don’t have any fresh injury issues and only have Ryan Mason on the sidelines with Bentaleb having made a return against Leicester City in the FA Cup.
Key Men
Wilfried Zaha (Crystal Palace)
Palace’s biggest strength is their strength on the flanks and many suggest if they could get a decent finisher within their ranks, they would be even more threatening. Former Manchester United winger Wilfried Zaha has gone through a lot in his short career but has finally found his footing under Alan Pardew. The hard-working winger will once again be key for Palace in their attempt to unlock a very tight Spurs defence.
Christian Eriksen (Tottenham Hotspur)
The Danish international has been Tottenham’s best player in the last couple of years, but with the rest of his team stepping up this time around, Eriksen kind of faded into the background. However, it seems like the former Ajax player might be back to his threatening best as he put on an exquisite performance against Sunderland and scored a brace. Eriksen constantly creates chances for his teammates, offers a threat from set-pieces as well has a wonderful long shot. Crystal Palace defence will have to be extra careful against the 23-year-old who looks extremely menacing at the moment.
Key Stats
- Christian Eriksen has created the third most chances in the Premier League this season (57), behind Mesut Ozil (87) and Kevin de Bruyne (64)
- Toby Alderweireld has committed just six fouls in 1980 minutes of Premier League action this season.
- Wilfried Zaha has completed the most successful number of take ons in the Premier League this season – 73.
