Preview; Crystal Palace v Tottenham Hotspur
Venue: Selhurst Park SUN 13 DEC 2020
After our great victory on Sunday, and our match against Royal Antwerp (on Thursday), which ended up with us leapfrogging them to get to the top of Group J, we now face Palace back in the league. And we must keep up the momentum. We can’t afford any slip-ups. Considering we’ve got Liverpool the following week. Win against Palace, and it will be the battle of the giants at Anfield. Who will really deserve their place at the top of the Christmas tree?
TEAM NEWS
Palace
Crystal Palace’s injury list continues to eas for them, with Tyrick Mitchell the only doubt due to a cold. Nathan Ferguson, Wayne Hennessey and Connor Wickham remain long-term absentees.
Spurs
We will again be without Erik Lamela because of an ongoing foot injury, while Serge Aurier is being assessed. Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg was rested in the Europa League but is expected to return on Sunday.
Now for my prediction or predictions.
I must say that my predictions for the last couple of weeks has been spot on, including getting the right score (or close).
Our approach has been jolly spiffing of late. We are dependable and well-disciplined at the back, and as for the attacking partnership between Harry Kane and Son, well, do I have to say any more?
As for Palace; if they can get enough of the ball, it might turn out to be an exciting match. In their last game, against WBA, they hammered them 5-1. Wilfred Zaha could cause us problems, and Eberechi Eze looks a real talent too, so we’ve got to be on our guard. There are no easy games any more.
But out of the two, we will battle to the death, and the Spurs team is full of confidence, and of course, we play well. Palace can be up and down at times. But Palace are dangerous because they will be able to attack us right across the pitch if we are not fully tuned-in.
Prediction: 0-2 or possibly 3-1.
Son has scored the winning goal a league-high five times this season
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
The 1-1 draw in last season’s corresponding fixture in July ended Crystal Palace’s nine-match Premier League losing streak against Spurs.
Jeffrey Schlupp’s equaliser in that game is the Eagles’ only goal in 13 hours versus us.
Palace’s only victory in the past 14 Premier League meetings was 2-1 at home in January 2015.
Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace have equalled their highest points tally after 11 matches of a Premier League season. They also had 16 at this stage in 2015-16.
However, Palace have only won two of their past nine home fixtures.
The Eagles are on a 17-match winless home run against established top-six opposition in the Premier League.
Roy Hodgson’s side had scored a league-high five goals inside the opening 15 minutes of games before the weekend.
They have led for 453 minutes this term, second only to our tally of 510.
Wilfried Zaha has scored seven goals in nine league games for Palace in 2020-21.
Christian Benteke scored two goals last weekend, as many as he managed in his previous 31 league outings.
Tottenham Hotspur
This is the first time we have been top of the table at this stage of a season since 1984-85.
We are unbeaten in 10 games, winning seven and drawing three.
We can equal the top-flight club record of five consecutive clean sheets.
We are 11 points better off than this stage of last season. Mauricio Pochettino was sacked after their 12th game.
Jose Mourinho has won 40 of his 63 Premier League London derbies.
Son has scored 10 league goals after 11 games. He is the first Spurs player to reach double figures this early in the season since Gary Lineker scored 13 in 1991-92.
Son and Harry Kane have combined for 11 of Tottenham’s 23 Premier League goals in 2020-21.
Kane has scored 20 goals and assisted 11 others in 29 league appearances under Mourinho.
So that is it, folks, so fingers crossed and let us hope we can cement our position at the top of the league.
The two Manchester clubs face each other on Saturday, with United being at home. A draw would be good.
Everton face Chelsea, on their ground. Let us hope for an Everton victory.
Plucky Fulham face Liverpool. Let us wish them well (Fulham, that is).
As for Leicester City, well they face Brighton, another plucky club.
Until we meet again, take care and 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 1950s. 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 (it was in the late 50s – as a baby – that my dad took me to Spurs to initiate me). I currently live in Berkshire.
I also collect all Spurs books (and have everyone printed), Spurs handbooks (from 1920s onwards, Spurs programmes (since the 40s).
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, holidays, socialising etc.
I have been writing blogs/ articles since 1989
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