Prediction: Crystal Palace vs Tottenham

Verdict: Tottenham win

Best Odds: 4/5

Bookmaker: Luckster

Looking to extend on their Premier League romp on Friday night, Tottenham will make the trip to Selhurst Park when they meet Crystal Palace.

Crystal Palace

Starting with the hosts, marking their return from October’s international break with a nightmare performance away at Newcastle over the weekend, Crystal Palace have the feel of a squad seeking some recent stability. Eventually slumping to a routine 4-0 drumming at St. James’ Park, Roy Hodgson’s side will be bracing themselves for another stern examination here. Forced to head into the fortnight interval with an uninspiring 0-0 stalemate at home against Nottingham Forest, the Eagles have recorded just a single win from any of their previous six meetings against Premier League opposition. Crashing out of the EFL Cup following a 3-0 defeat against Manchester United on September 26th, the former England boss will have a continued headache over his side’s issues in the final third. It should be noted, Friday’s hosts have bagged just a single strike in almost 500 minutes of action.

Team News

Dealing with what has quickly become a stacked injury list at Selhurst Park, Crystal Palace are expected to once again be without the trio of Eberechi Eze, Michael Olise and summer recruit Dean Henderson. However, Hodgson’s side are hopeful that Jeffrey Schlupp will be able to make a timely return here.

Expected to put pen to paper on a new long-term deal at Selhurst Park, Sam Johnstone will start between the sticks on Friday night. Already notching four Premier League strikes this season, ex-Celtic star Odsonne Edouard will spearhead Palace’s attack on Friday night.

Tottenham

As for the visitors, last seen earlier in the week putting in another eye-catching display as they claimed a 2-0 victory against Fulham earlier in the week, Tottenham are riding a stunning wave of momentum. Only continuing on what has been a fairytale story since appointing Ange Postecoglou over the summer, some around north London have started to believe that their side could mount a genuine title charge this time around. Already mustering 23 points from their first nine Premier League appearances and opening Friday’s trip to Selhurst Park sat at the top of the table, the former Celtic boss will be calling on his high-flying squad to make another statement here. Smelling a potential chance this weekend, Spurs will be excited by an impressive record against the Eagles. Including a 1-0 victory when they welcomed Palace to north London back on May 6th, it is worth highlighting that Tottenham have won four of their previous five meetings.

Team News

In what is a real boost for Tottenham on Friday night, Postecoglou’s side will welcome back midfielder Yves Bissouma after the former Brighton star served a one-match suspension against Fulham. However, while ex-Juevntus ace Rodrigo Bentancur might be inching towards a return from his long-term knee injury, the Uruguayan international is not expected to feature here.

Both getting on the scoresheet against Fulham earlier in the week and now notching 10 Premier League goals between them, the attacking duo of James Maddison and Hung-Min Son will spearhead Spurs’ charge at Selhurst Park.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides last met back on May 6th, Tottenham picked up a 1-0 victory on home soil.
• Likewise, Friday’s guests have won four of their previous five showdowns against Crystal Palace.
• The Eagles have recorded just a single win from any of their last six meetings against Premier League opposition.
• Hodgson’s side have also mustered just a single strike in almost 500 minutes of action.
• Attacking talisman Heung-Min Son has notched seven goals in his last six meetings against Premier League opposition.

Conclusion

Marking their return from October’s international break with a routine 2-0 victory at home against Fulham, Tottenham will be desperate to lay down another marker here. Riding what has been a record-breaking wave of momentum and arriving at Stamford Bridge sat at the top of the Premier League standings, Spurs will be looking to make another statement on Friday night. Claiming 23 points from their opening nine top-flight appearances, Tottenham will be looking to cash in on a Crystal Palace squad that are in the midst of a recent wobble. Last seen getting hit with a 4-0 drumming at the hands of Newcastle and also winning just one of their previous six meetings against Premier League opposition, Hodgson’s side will also be worried by a nightmare record against the title dark horses.

Verdict: Tottenham win

Best Odds: 4/5

Bookmaker: Luckster