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Preview: Tottenham Hotspur vs. Crystal Palace

Sports Mole previews the Premier League clash between Tottenham Hotspur and Crystal Palace at White Hart Lane.

Tottenham Hotspur will be looking to build on their first Premier League win of the season when they take on Crystal Palace at White Hart Lane.

Spurs defeated Sunderland last week to register their first victory, but face a tough task against the Eagles following their strong start to the campaign.


Tottenham Hotspur

Mauricio Pochettino manager of Tottenham Hotspur looks on during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford on August 8, 2015© Getty Images

Tottenham kickstarted their top-flight campaign with a victory over the Black Cats at the Stadium of Light last week thanks to Ryan Mason's 81st-minute winner.

Spurs were far from the best in the match and rode their luck at times as Jermain Defoe and Jack Rodwell both hit the woodwork, but they held out to secure their first three points of the season.

Mauricio Pochettino's men carried their form into their Europa League match against Qarabag FK when they came from behind to defeat the Azerbaijani side as new signing Son Heung-min notched his first two goals for the club.

The Argentine will be pleased to see his team slowly clicking into gear after a below-par start to the season. However, Spurs are still only three points off the pace of the top four, despite their slow opening to the campaign, which will give the club confidence heading into their upcoming fixtures.

One concern will be Harry Kane's drought in front of goal as he is yet to find the net in a Tottenham shirt this season, even though he has notched two strikes for England in their Euro 2016 qualifiers against San Marino and Switzerland.

Spurs have kept clean sheets in their last two Premier League outings after conceding four goals in their first three games of the campaign, which will ease the burden on their forwards. Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld are slowly building a solid foundation for the club at the back after a tricky start to the campaign.

Tottenham will be hopeful that they can round into their best form to face the tough task that Palace present on their travels in their clash on Sunday.

Recent form: LDDDW
Recent form (all competitions): LDDDWW


Crystal Palace

Alan Pardew manager of Crystal Palace waves to the crowd prior to the Barclays Premier League match between West Ham United and Crystal Palace at Boleyn Ground on February 28, 2015© Getty Images

Palace have enjoyed a solid start to the campaign by taking nine points from their first five matches, which has included a 2-1 win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, to see them sit in sixth place in the table.

Since Alan Pardew became the club's manager, the Eagles have boasted the joint-best away record in the top flight, taking 25 points on their travels since January, which can only be matched by Arsenal in their last 10 matches.

Palace's threat on the break makes them an incredibly tough opponent due to the pace of Yannick Bolasie, Wilfried Zaha and new signing Bakary Sako, which proved to be crucial in their victories over Chelsea and Norwich City on the opening day.

The Eagles are yet to keep a clean sheet this season, which will be of a concern to Pardew, although they did come within minutes of doing so against Manchester City before Kelechi Iheanacho struck his 90th-minute winner at Selhurst Park last week.

However, the tests come thick and fast in the Premier League and the ability of Kane in the final third will provide the Palace backline with a host of problems at the Lane. So, Pardew will need to ensure that his side maintain their shape throughout the contest.

Pardew's men have become a constant threat from set pieces since his arrival at the club, no team in the Premier League have scored more than the 16 goals Palace have mustered from set plays since January. With their height and power, the 54-year-old will be hopeful that they provide a stern test of Spurs' resilience on Sunday.

Recent form: WLWWL
Recent form (all competitions): WLWWWL


Team News

Nacer Chadli is congratulated by teammates after scoring Spurs' second against Stoke on August 15, 2015© Getty Images

Pochettino could have Mousa Dembele and Christian Eriksen back in his squad for the clash at the Lane following their respective injuries.

Ryan Mason is expected to recover from the problem thart ruled him out of action on Thursday after he sustained a problem following his goal against Sunderland.

Eric Dier should be able to play against the Eagles, despite being forced off against Qarabag, while Nabil Bentaleb is ruled out of action due to an ankle injury.

Palace defender Joel Ward will miss the match due to a knee injury, but Damien Delaney could return from a pelvic problem at the Lane to bolster his side's backline.

Joel Ledley is fit again to take his place in the midfield after overcoming a hamstring injury, but Connor Wickham's calf problem will continue to keep him out.

Tottenham possible starting lineup:
Lloris; Walker, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Davies; Dier, Dembele; Chadli, Son, Eriksen; Kane

Palace possible starting lineup:
McCarthy; Kelly, Dann, Hangeland, Souare; McArthur, Cabaye; Zaha, Puncheon, Sako; Bolasie


Head To Head

Palace recorded a 2-1 win over Spurs in Pardew's first game in charge of the club in the Premier League in January in their last meeting as strikes from Dwight Gayle and Jason Puncheon secured win.

In their last clash at White Hart Lane, the match finished in a goalless draw as the Eagles held firm under pressure from Kane and Roberto Soldado.

Over the course of history, Spurs have fared well in the fixture winning 18 of the 39 meetings compared to the eight wins of Palace, while 13 of the clashes have ended in draws.


Video Preview

Hit play below to see what the Sports Mole Sofa had to say about this encounter:


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We say: Tottenham 1-2 Crystal Palace

Spurs have been rounding into form, but Palace have been impressive on their travels under Pardew as they seem to have a formula that works away from Selhurt Park. Their threat on the counter should be enough to claim a narrow victory over Pochettino's men at the Lane.



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Kelechi Iheanacho celebrates scoring the winner for Man City against Palace on September 12, 2015
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