Match Threads Spurs vs Palace - Match Thread - Day 26

[Bulletspur]

SPURS 4-1 CRYSTAL PALACE
Bale (2), Kane (2) Benteke​

Spurs: Lloris (c), Doherty, Sanchez, Alderweireld, Reguilon, Hojbjerg, Winks (Sissoko), Lucas, Bale (Lamela), Kane (Vinicius).
Subs: Hart, Dier, Davies, Dele, Ndombele, Bergwijn.

Crystal Palace: Guaita, Ward, Kouyate, Cahill, Van Aanholt, Milivojevic (c), Riedewald, Eze, Ayew, Townsend, Benteke.
Subs: Butland, Dann, Kelly, Hannam, Schlupp, Zaha, Mateta, Batshuayi, Wickham.

Official Site Match Centre
Three changes from Thursday's win at Fulham, Reguilon, Winks and Lucas coming in for Davies, Ndombele and Dele.

REFEREE -- Stuart Atwell ???????

TEAM FORM: - Spurs -WLWWW----- Palace - LLWDD ------ (All Competitions)

Apologies for the late posting, I thought I had already done it!!

We will be aiming to make it three wins in a row in the Premier League for the first time since November when we host Palace on this evening. We finally appear to have found some momentum but are still down in 8th in the table, while Palace are five places worse off following back-to-back stalemates. While the Europa League can often prove to be a hindrance for teams, particularly one now so used to reaching the latter stages of the Champions League, for ust has helped to kickstart our campaign.

We had lost five of our last six games before thumping Wolfsberger 4-1 in our Europa League last-32 first leg on February 18 and have followed that up with three wins in their next four games. That includes a run of three wins in a row without conceding in all competitions, seeing us through to the last 16 of the Europa League and moving us to within five points of the Premier League top four.

We, who still have a game in hand to play on fourth-placed Chelsea, will now be looking for a third league win in a row for the first time in four months when we a Palace side with little to play for. The Eagles played out a 0-0 draw with Manchester United in midweek, three days on from drawing to city rivals Fulham by the same scoreline, leaving them 11 points above the relegation zone and 11 adrift of the top. This we have to capitlize on especuially as Liverpool just lost to Fulham. A win against Palace and we over take them in the League

Palace face an uncertain period given that half of their squad, plus manager Hodgson, will be out of contract in the summer, but between now and then it will be a case of attempting to finish as high as possible in the league. After drawing to Fulham last weekend, Palace are now winless in their last five Premier League London derbies, though four of these have ended level, including the reverse meeting with us in December.

Our 1-0 victory against Fulham on Thursday saw us return to winning ways in London derbies after losing 2-1 to West Ham United in our previous-such outing. Even accounting for the draw when the sides last faced off, we boast an impressive record against Palace, going 11 Premier League games without defeat in this fixture - our best ongoing run against any side in the division.

We have near enough a fully-fit squad to choose from for this game - a real rarity for Premier League teams this season - with midfielder lo Celso our only confirmed absentee. Mourinho handed Dele a first league start since the opening weekend in Thursday's win at Fulham, while a back-in-form Bale started for the second game running in all competitions. Both players will be eager to retain their place in the side against Palace, but Mourinho has the likes of Moura, Lamela and Bergwijn to call upon in attacking midfield.

Son seems certain to start out on the left-hand side, with the South Korean looking to add to his five goals and one assist in this fixture - only against Southampton has he netted more times in the competition.

Banner courtesy of @chrissivad

 

[Erm33]

Thanks for posting! It got so close to kick off and the thread wasn't up that I was worried something happened to you!

Hopefully another win today scoring a few goals and another clean sheet to really keep our run going strong.

 

[shelfboy68]

Win would take us 6th for a day at least, so because of that I'm going for a draw 1-1 coys as always though.

 

[fletch82]

I'd take another scrappy 1-0 to us now
A win is all that matters 3 points
Even if I wouldn't enjoy watching it as much as a free flowing big scoring win

 

[JayB]

With the results having gone our way this is a massive match. COYS

 

[Wsussexspur]

Should win today. Be interested to see if Jose rotates the squad some tired legs out there in 2nd half of the Fulham game. However also a big risk as we know in some areas the drop of in quality when we do rotate players is very significant.

 

[Everlasting Seconds]

Win

 

[Archibald&Crooks]

Benteke to score a header is where the smart money is at.

So mine's elsewhere, obviously

 

[Mattspurs1982]

as per Fulham, play our best in form XI (so dele and bale start), hopefully bag a goal or two then rest them from 55/60 onward

 

[Everlasting Seconds]

as per Fulham, play our best in form XI (so dele and bale start), hopefully bag a goal or two then rest them from 55/60 onward

Lucas start today, Dele for Zagreb.

 

[RichieS]

Should win today. Be interested to see if Jose rotates the squad some tired legs out there in 2nd half of the Fulham game. However also a big risk as we know in some areas the drop of in quality when we do rotate players is very significant.

I'd go Sissoko for Højbjerg and Lamela at number 10. I think that balances the need to rotate and the need for solidity through the middle.

 

[Serpico]

for me...No scrappy 1 nil. No going 1 up and slowly turning off. Lets have the game controlled and see the game through with effort.
Energy form the off, keep the energy and focus to the end. Good substitutions needed to keep us upbeat and strong.
Bring players on at appropriate times before players start to droop. Good performance today will see us through the weeks fixtures.

 

[Everlasting Seconds]

for me...No scrappy 1 nil. No going 1 up and slowly turning off. Lets have the game controlled and see the game through with effort.
Energy form the off, keep the energy and focus to the end. Good substitutions needed to keep us upbeat and strong.
Bring players on at appropriate times before players start to droop. Good performance today will see us through the weeks fixtures.

Opposite for me. Win in any fashion necessary.

 

[Bulletspur]

With Liverpool losing to Fulham and Manu Utd currently beating Man City, we wont be headline news were we to lose

 

[dondo]

Lucas start today, Dele for Zagreb.

Will be close if not the same team as Burnley imo

 

[Deleted member 29446]

1-1. We score first and then sit back because we’re tired (lol). Like the first leg

 

[cjbyid]

This will be fun.

 

[VegasII]

Hart in goal and Kane-Son-Dele-Bale-Vini starting in attack?

#Ossierulesfootball

Or maybe Scarlett will start?

 

[PCozzie]

Uh oh

 

[ajspurs]

This will be fun.

Ah fuck ?