Prediction: Crystal Palace vs Tottenham

Verdict: Tottenham win

Best Odds: 8/11

Bookmaker: Unibet

Looking to extend their stay at the top of the Premier League table, Tottenham will make the trip across London on Sunday afternoon when they meet Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.

Crystal Palace

Starting with the hosts, while Crystal Palace might have suffered sluggish back-to-back defeats against Burnley and Newcastle when drawing a close to November, the Eagles did manage to make a return to winning ways in thumping fashion last weekend. Eventually putting on a real clinic away at a 10-man West Brom, Roy Hodgson’s men picked up a 5-1 romp against the Premier League returners and they once again find themselves sat just a single point adrift of breaking back into the top-half. Landing their biggest win of the season last time out, there is no doubt that Palace’s trip to the Midlands only highlighted how vitally important Wilfried Zaha is to the Eagles. Making his return from a brief stint on the sidelines after returning a positive COVID-19 test, the Ivory Coast international has scored seven goals in nine Premier League games for Crystal Palace this season – Zaha’s previous seven goals came over 49 appearances.

Team News

Crystal Palace’s injury list continues to ease, with young left-back Tyrick Mitchell the only doubt due to a cold.

Nathan Ferguson, Wayne Hennessey and Connor Wickham remain long-term absentees.

Tottenham

As for the visitors, picking up a routine 2-0 win against Antwerp in midweek and booking their spot in the knockout stage of this year’s Europa League as group winners, the mood in Tottenham’s camp should be at a red-hot high. Still boosted by that 2-0 victory in last weekend’s North London derby on home soil, Jose Mourinho’s men have stormed their way to the top of the Premier League table. With many believe that Spurs are a genuine title contender this time around, the former Manchester United boss finds his side enjoying a remarkable unbeaten run in England’s top-tier. Despite opening the 2020/2021 campaign with a 1-0 loss against Everton, the Lilywhites are unbeaten in their other 10 Premier League contests, a run that has seen them pick up seven points over their last three meetings against Manchester City, Chelsea and the Gunners. Smelling a real chance to extend on their recent purple patch, Spurs have also really impressed on the road. Saturday’s guests have collected 13 points from their last five fixtures outside of North London.

Team News

Tottenham will again be without Erik Lamela because of an ongoing foot injury, while Serge Aurier is being assessed.

Midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg was rested in the Europa League but is expected to return on Sunday.

Key Factors to Consider

• Including a 2-0 win against Arsenal last weekend, Tottenham are unbeaten in their last 10 Premier League matchups on the bounce.
• Spurs have also managed to collect 13 points from their last five top-flight contests on the road.
• Wilfried Zaha has scored seven goals in nine Premier League games for Crystal Palace this season – Zaha’s previous seven goals came over 49 appearances.
• Harry Kane scored his 250th goal in his senior career for club and country – 202 for current club Spurs, 32 for England, nine for Millwall, five for Leyton Orient and two for Leicester City.
• Only one of the last eight Premier League meetings between Crystal Palace and Tottenham has finished with both teams finding the net.

Conclusion

While Crystal Palace might have managed to pick up a thumping 5-1 win away at the Hawthorns last weekend, the Eagles know that they will certainly face a sterner test in South London. With Tottenham managing to book their spot in the knockout stage of this year’s Europa League thanks to a 2-0 victory against Antwerp in midweek, Jose Mourinho’s men find the mood in their camp at a red-hot high. Picking up North London bragging rights against Arsenal last weekend and coming past the Gunners, Chelsea and Manchester City with seven points to their name, Spurs will be looking to lay down a similar marker. With a real chance to extend their stay at the top of the table, we’re backing an away victory at Selhurst Park.

Verdict: Tottenham win

Best Odds: 8/11

Bookmaker: Unibet