The Premier League returns after a break for the third round of the FA Cup last weekend which saw some giant killings in the process.
Fortunately for Alan Pardew, his new Palace side were not one of them after a professional performance to overcome Dover Athletic at Crabble Athletic Ground, ending up as emphatic winners.
Pardew is now set for his first home game in charge following four years as boss of Newcastle United. The former Eagles midfielder is relishing the idea of sitting in the Selhurst Park dugout as manager.
A difficult challenge lies ahead for the new Eagles boss as Tottenham Hotspur provide the opposition for this fixture who travel to SE25 off the back of a huge win over London rivals Chelsea on New Years Day. It was a Harry Kane inspired fight back from a goal down in an eight goal thriller.
Tottenham have begun to see a change in fortune since the sides met in a stalemate in November at White Hart Lane. A game that should have seen the away side leave with all three points.
Team News
Crystal Palace – Mile Jedinak and Yannick Bolasie are away on international duty and will both miss at least the next three fixtures for Palace. Marouane Chamakh is yet to return after injury in the draw with Stoke City in December. Glenn Murray was forced off at half time in the win against Dover but the striker is likely to feature in the squad.
Tottenham Hotspur – Eric Lamela and Ryan Mason are the only injuries in the Spurs camp. Lamela is nursing a calf injury whilst young midfielder Mason struggles with a hamstring strain.
Form Guide
The visitors are unbeaten in the last six games with four wins and two draws while Palace have four draws and two losses.
In the last six meetings between the two Palace have only managed one win which was at Selhurst back in January 2005. Tottenham have won three and two were draws.
One To Watch
Harry Kane. Striker. Age 21. English. Goals 15. Assists 2. Average rating 7.29.
My one to watch for this one has got to be Harry Kane. The form of the England Under 21 international makes for good reading. He has 15 goals in all competitions this season and will be a major threat for Julian Speroni and the back four. Kane was kept relatively quiet in the reverse fixture but that in no way means Damien Delaney and company can take their eyes off of him.
Predictions
Tottenham Hotspur to finish 6th.
The distraction of European competition is likely to cause a problem for Spurs the longer the season goes on which has a lot to do with my prediction. They could however have success in one of the cups having looking good so far in the Europa League. They probably do not have quite enough to force themselves into the top four in the Premier League but it will be a close run thing.
- EPL Index prediction – draw
- Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson’s prediction – away win
- Who Scored prediction – draw
- My prediction – home win
- Paddy Power odds – home win 12/5 – draw 23/10 – away win 23/20
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