Tottenham Hotspur will hope to make it three wins in a row when they face Crystal Palace in their Premier League encounter on Sunday afternoon.
Spurs bounced back after the international break with an emphatic 4-1 Premier League victory over West Ham United before running out 1-0 winners over AZ in the Europa League.
Tottenham will now be up against a struggling Palace side currently languishing in the bottom three of the Premier League, without a top-flight win to their name as of yet.
However, the Eagles boast dangerous players such as Eberechi Eze and Spurs will need to be at their best in a tricky game at Selhurst Park.
The Spurs News looks at what pundits have said about Tottenham’s fixture at Palace and what result predictions they have made.
Alan Shearer
Alan Shearer told Metro: “It feels like any game is a big ask for Crystal Palace with the form that they’re in at the moment.
“They can’t seem to score, the manager is under pressure, and it certainly hasn’t gone as anyone would’ve liked or hoped.
“Tottenham are strong in forward positions, scoring another four last weekend and I think they’ll have enough for Crystal Palace and take the three points at Selhurst Park.”
Prediction: Tottenham win
Chris Sutton
Chris Sutton told BBC Sport: “Crystal Palace are desperate to get their first league win of the season, but any sort of positive result would do after losing their past three games.
“I am backing Tottenham, although I am a bit concerned about the fitness of Son Heung-min, who is back from injury but was rested for their Europa League game with AZ Alkmaar on Thursday.
“Tiredness could affect other players. Spurs play high-pressing and high-energy football and I wonder what playing twice a week will do to them.
“Also, the way Tottenham play might suit Palace more, because Eberechi Eze will have a lot more space than he had in their defeat against Nottingham Forest on Monday.
“So Palace should pose more of a threat, but Spurs blew West Ham away and, while this will be a lot closer, I still expect them to win.”
Prediction: Palace 1-2 Tottenham
Paul Merson
Paul Merson told Sportskeeda: “I have a feeling Crystal Palace will find it difficult against Tottenham this weekend. But I’m fully aware that it also depends on which Tottenham turn up for the game.
“I don’t mean it horribly, but sometimes they get a bit ‘Spursy’. That’s the problem with them at the moment.
“I watched Spurs’ first half against Brighton and I thought, ‘Wow, they could actually give teams a real go in the race for the top four.’ We all know what happened after that.
“On their day, Tottenham are a really good team. They should show that more often on a consistent basis.
“Palace are a tough team to face away from home. Oliver Glasner has to go with Eddie Nketiah and Jean-Philippe Mateta together at the top and try to get the win in this game.
“Mateta is a bigger unit and can cause problems to most teams, he’s a real handful and I’d even play him ahead of Nketiah if I’m being honest.
“This is a difficult game for Spurs and I think they’ll share the spoils in a good, entertaining contest.”
Prediction: Palace 2-2 Tottenham
Tottenham team news v Palace
Spurs are likely to be without captain Son Heung-min for the game as he felt soreness after the win over West Ham last week.
“Sonny’s still not right, still not feeling 100 percent,” Postecoglou told the official Tottenham website on Friday.
“He won’t train today, so he’s unlikely for this weekend and we’ll see after that.”
Meanwhile, Djed Spence is still recovering from a groin issue, but is expected to return to training next week.
Receive a digest of our best Spurs content each week direct to your mailbox
