Sunday evening fixtures are usually challenging for PL clubs coming off a tough Europa League game on Thursday. Tottenham may not have had a big name fighting them but did experience a good competition on Thursday from Qarabag. The team moral is sure to be really high with the win on Thursday and they have to keep carrying on now in the PL too after the away win at Sunderland last weekend.
In goal will be French international and club captain, Hugo Lloris as always. Like there was ever any question of him starting a PL game when fully fit.
The backline is set to be the same as the one that faced Sunderland. Walker had a good game and with Trippier just making a debut full 90 appearance on Thursday it would be ridiculous to ask him to replace Walker in such good form. Alderweireld is set to keep his place in the center of defence with Jan Vertonghen. Both have their chemistry and are arguably the better of 4 CBs that Spurs have in their squad. Ben Davies will also probably keep his position with Rose having a dodgy game on Thursday while still not fully fit for the requirements of the PL.
In the Central Midfield positions, Eric Dier might have warranted a rest on Thursday but was deployed due to the absence of Nabil Bentaleb as he got injured on international duty. Spurs are clutching all straws with central mid players getting injured now. If you remember, Mason was stretchered right off after scoring the decisive goal last weekend and is most probably out for this weekend’s fixture. Dyer will be partnered with either of Moussa Dembele or Delle Alli. Dembele seems to be a more likely option to play up front behind the striker and Alli will show off his skills alongside Eric Dier in the deep lying playmaker role that Mason played so exquisitely against Sunderland.
The wings will have no change with Son and Chadli playing those roles. Son scored his first goals for the club on Thursday and will be looking to build form and get his PL goal tally racking up too. Harry Kane is the man that Spurs will be a little concerned about. He is having good games but that goal is elusive and the sooner he scores the better. The absence of Eriksen is clearly felt for Harry as he is missing his service a lot and is forced to play deeper roles. A problem faced by many strikers nowadays to create something from nothing.
Lamela may push a claim for a spot too after 2 good appearances since the international break, if Poch does go for Lamela, then Kane will be the one sitting out with Son leading the line. There are choices available and will be interesting to see which one Spurs will go with. Palace are hungry and could hurt Spurs if they start slowly with Europa League hangovers.
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