• Crystal Palace have only won one of their last six home games against Tottenham (W1, D1, L4).
• The Eagles haven’t kept a clean sheet in any of their last six home league matches.
• Spurs have conceded more penalties than any other club in the top flight (five). (BBC Sport)
Alan Pardew is back with Crystal Palace after the current manager had spent four seasons and made 128 appearances decades ago as a player on the squad.
On Sunday, the Eagles cruised to a 4-0 victory over Dover Atheltic in the FA Cup Third Round with Pardew’s first time at the helm. A brace from Scott Dann, in addition to goals from Dwight Gayle and Kevin Doyle, allowed Palace to advance in great fashion.
The men from Selhurst Park have fallen victim to troubles in the first half of the Premier League season that have the team slotted in the relegation zone at 18th place. They haven’t won in their past eight PL contests, with recent 0-0 draws to Aston Villa and Queens Park Rangers showing an inability to net the decisive, winning score.
Palace’s best result came when they defeated Liverpool 3-1 in late November, and at that juncture, the club was at 15th place, rising up the standings.
Meanwhile, Tottenham have rebounded in December after overcoming early year struggles that saw the manager Mauricio Pochettino’s future under fire.
Now, a six-game unbeaten stretch, especially marked by a 5-3 thriller over Chelsea on New Year’s Day, has Spurs solidifying their contention for a top-five spot, while Harry Kane’s hero status continues to grow.
On Monday, Tottenham drew Burnley, 1-1, in the FA Cup Third Round and will most certainly look to grab three points against Palace following a 0-0 draw against the Eagles on Dec. 6.
NBC will have the match ready for viewing tomorrow at 12:30 PM ET, and it can also be caught online on Live Extra.
[WATCH ONLINE: Palace v. Tottenham stream]
What they’re saying
Palace stand-in captain Damien Delaney on Pardew’s appointment (Crystal Palace official website): “It was also great to get the win for the new manager. Since he’s come in the boys have been really impressed, and we’re looking forward to implementing some of his tactics and methods into our play this afternoon and during the coming weeks….We’re in a fight down the bottom of the table so we need to start picking up as many points as possible.”
Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino on run of success (Sky Sports): “We have momentum but we need to keep that and increase our performances, and improve every day. The victory over Chelsea was good for all and gives more belief in our way. Why not keep that level in all games? We are capable of it, but we know it won’t be easy…It was more than just one victory. It was important to stop this idea that we cannot beat top sides.”
Match injuries/absences
For Crystal Palace, Yannick Bolasie and Mile Jedinak are on international duty right now, so they won’t be present.
Palace striker Marouane Chamakh may be available after four games out wrestling with a hamstring injury. Midfielder James McArthur’s rib issue shouldn’t keep him sidelined for the entirety of this match.
Tottenham midfielder Nabil Bentaleb will compete for Algeria in the Africa Cup of Nations; thus, he is absent. Erik Lamela’s calf injury from last week will impede him from performing, and Ryan Mason will not appear due to a hamstring problem.
Prediction
After the Chelsea win, it’s hard not to have faith in Tottenham, and even when they were in lesser scoring form, Spurs were able to hold Palace to zero goals. Palace 1-2 Tottenham.