After the victory over Aston Villa on the opening day, Tottenham Hotspur have now picked up just a couple of points from their next three games. But they have gotten through games at Etihad and Emirates and will now look to kick on with their league campaign.
But they face yet another tricky test back after the international break, as they welcome Crystal Palace to London Stadium this weekend. The Eagles are fresh from back to back league victories against Manchester United and Aston Villa and Roy Hodgson will believe that his side can further dent Spurs’ progress early this season.
However, The Eagles have lost each of their last eight games against their opponents from this week, scoring just a goal in this run. This could be the best time for them to turn this record around though.
Tottenham Hotspur Team News
Pochettino revealed that Eric Dier, Kyle Walker-Peters, Ryan Sessegnon and Tanguy Ndombele will be assessed before the game before they make it to the squad. Juan Foyth is out of the game against Palace while Giovani Lo Celso is out until the end of October. Davinson Sanchez has a slight niggle in his ankle and is unlikely to be risked.
PREDICTED TOTTENHAM LINEUP vs CRYSTAL PALACE (4-2-3-1)
Defence
Hugo Lloris has put in a couple of impressive performances so far this season. He will hope to have a relatively quieter night against The Eagles after busy assignments against Man City and Arsenal. With Sanchez and Foyth struggling, Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen will start this game at the back in the Tottenham lineup. They will look to keep the likes of Jordan Ayew and Wilfried Zaha quiet for most of this game.
Danny Rose should continue in the left-back role even though Ben Davies will be pushing for a start. Pochettino might be forced to push Walker-Peters into the side with hardly any cover at right-back. Serge Aurier is an option but he has not played a minute of football for Spurs for around 6 months. Moussa Sissoko is also an option.
Midfield
Harry Winks seems to have impressed Pochettino enough to keep his place in the side regularly. He will play alongside Moussa Sissoko in the defensive midfield roles, trying to keep Palace from breaking through the middle.
Palace are not expected to field a creative midfield so both players might have to add numbers to the attack when necessary.
Attack
Heung Min-Son has not been at his best before the international break but is the best winger under Pochettino. He could start on the left flank while Erik Lamela, who had an off day against Arsenal, could get another chance on the right flank in the Tottenham lineup.
Christian Eriksen can now focus solely on Spurs, at least till January. He will start in the no.10 role and will need to create space and time for his attackers to try and test Vicente Guaita in Palace’s goal.
Dele Alli might have to wait a bit more for a start even though he might be accommodated in the Tottenham lineup if Son is given a rest after his exertions over the international break.
Harry Kane enjoyed a productive outing with England in the break and will look to get the better of Scott Dann, Martin Kelly and Gary Cahill.
Here is how they might line up:
