Tottenham Hotspur vs Crystal Palace Preview/Expected XI/Prediction

Tottenham Hotspur will be looking to build on their first Premier League win of the season when they take on Crystal Palace at White Hart Lane.

Spurs defeated Sunderland last week to register their first victory, but face a tough task against the Eagles following their strong start to the campaign.

Tottenham kickstarted their top-flight campaign with a victory over the Black Cats at the Stadium of Light last week thanks to Ryan Mason's 81st-minute winner and also Crystal Palace have enjoyed a solid start to the campaign by taking nine points from their first five matches, which has included a 2-1 win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, to see them sit in sixth place in the table.

Spurs were far from the best in the match and rode their luck at times as Jermain Defoe and Jack Rodwell both hit the woodwork, but they held out to secure their first three points of the season.Mauricio Pochettino's men carried their form into their Europa League match against Qarabag FK when they came from behind to defeat the Azerbaijani side as new signing Son Heung-min notched his first two goals for the club.

Whereas when we talk about about Palace, Since Alan Pardew became the club's manager, the Eagles have boasted the joint-best away record in the top flight, taking 25 points on their travels since January, which can only be matched by Arsenal in their last 10 matches.

Palace's threat on the break makes them an incredibly tough opponent due to the pace of Yannick Bolasie, Wilfried Zaha and new signing Bakary Sako, which proved to be crucial in their victories over Chelsea and Norwich City on the opening day.

One concern for Spurs will be Harry Kane's drought in front of goal as he is yet to find the net in a Tottenham shirt this season, even though he has notched two strikes for England in their Euro 2016 qualifiers against San Marino and Switzerland.

What the managers say:

Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew on the effects of the Europa League: "I've been involved in the Europa League, and it's difficult. Thursday to Sunday, the recovery time's not great and the energy levels of some of their players will not be at full capacity, it can't be.

"There will be fingers crossed that those guys can produce a Premier League performance on the back of a tough Thursday night. But we're fresh so that gives us a slight advantage.

"It isn't fair on the Premier League, because the intensity of our game is greater than any other European league, and until some sense prevails and you play on a Monday night when you have played on a Thursday, then I think all the teams in that competition will suffer."

Team News:

Pochettino could have Mousa Dembele and Christian Eriksen back in his squad for the clash at the Lane following their respective injuries.

Ryan Mason is expected to recover from the problem thart ruled him out of action on Thursday after he sustained a problem following his goal against Sunderland.

Eric Dier should be able to play against the Eagles, despite being forced off against Qarabag, while Nabil Bentaleb is ruled out of action due to an ankle injury.

Palace defender Joel Ward will miss the match due to a knee injury, but Damien Delaney could return from a pelvic problem at the Lane to bolster his side's backline.

Joel Ledley is fit again to take his place in the midfield after overcoming a hamstring injury, but Connor Wickham's calf problem will continue to keep him out.

Expected XI

Tottenham Hotspurs:

Lloris
Walker
Alderweireld
Vertonghen
Davies
Dier
Dembele
Chadli
Son
Eriksen
Kane

Crystal Palace:

McCarthy
Kelly
Dann
Hangeland
Souare
McArthur
Cabaye
Zaha
Puncheon
Sako
Bolasie

Prediction:

Hotspur 1-2 Crystal Palace

Spurs have been rounding into form, but Palace have been impressive on their travels under Pardew as they seem to have a formula that works away from Selhurt Park. Their threat on the counter should be enough to claim a narrow victory over Pochettino's men at the Lane.

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