Tottenham Hotspur face Crystal Palace on Sunday, hoping to extend their Premier League winning run to three games. The Lilywhites are coming on the back of a lucky win against Fulham in midweek, but things could get even trickier versus the Eagles, who are yet to concede a single goal in their last two league matches.
Predicted Tottenham Lineup Vs Crystal Palace
Defence
A late knock denied Serge Aurier the opportunity to start against Fulham. However, following yet another below-par performance from Matt Doherty, one could expect Jose Mourinho to recall the Ivorian in the right-back position.
There could be another change on the opposite flank, with Palace’s defensive attitude likely to tempt Mourinho to bring Sergio Reguilon back into the setup. The Spaniard offers better offensive support when compared to the more defensively stable Ben Davies.
There should be no changes in central defence, however, as Toby Alderweireld and Davinson Sanchez continue to form their partnership at the heart of the four-man backline. Hugo Lloris, too, has been in good form and is hoping for another clean sheet this weekend.
Midfield
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg is almost a guaranteed starter at the base of Tottenham’s 4-2-3-1. The Dane’s ball-winning ability, combined with his aggression, tenacity and work ethic make him a vital cog in the second half.
However, it is imperative that Hojbjerg receives proper support, so the onus will be on Tanguy Ndombele to add that extra pinch of productivity in the middle of the park. The former Lyon starlet should continue to operate in the number eight role, while Mourinho does have the option of Moussa Sissoko or Harry Winks should he adopt a more defensive approach.
Attack
Dele Alli was given a rare start in the number ten role, in the absence of Giovani Lo Celso. The Englishman, though, may have to settle for a place on the bench as Erik Lamela hopes for a deserved call-up.
The Argentine should get the nod ahead of Lucas Moura due to his late cameo against Fulham while Gareth Bale and Son Heung-Min remain guaranteed starters in the wider attacking positions. Lucas, though, is likely to appear as a second-half substitute for Bale.
And finally, the Tottenham attack should be spearheaded by Harry Kane, who is looking for a better outing, following a disastrous display against Fulham in midweek.
