Can Spurs go the distance with Palace in their Boxing Day clash?

It has been a torrid time of late for Tottenham Hotspur. A COVID outbreak in the club has meant many games have been postponed, including their fixture against Rennes in the Europa Conference League, which has led to them being expelled from the competition. It’s something that the club is looking to appeal against, and it’s a horrible way to go but there are two things to remember.

The Spurs were never good enough in all honesty. They played so poorly in the competition, and deserve to be knocked out anyway. Secondly, no Spurs fan realistically wanted to be there. It’s the Champions League or nothing. Maybe at a stretch, the Europa League tournament can be used as a way to qualify for the Champions League. Which made it all the more embarrassing to see Harry Kane gloating over becoming the first player to score a hattrick in it.

But that period is in the past now, and the Spurs are back and after the match against Liverpool, they seem fighting fit. The clash against the Merseyside club should’ve been dead and buried by half time. But a lack of clinical finishing meant that the tie was left open for Liverpool to take the lead, before a mistake from Allison allowed Son to pounce and bring the game level at 2-2. Arguably, the game could’ve been completely different if not for an inadequate ref, because we’ve no shame here admitting Kane was lucky not to be sent off, and that Jota should’ve had a penalty given. But for once, the footballing Gods were on the Spurs side that afternoon.

That performance was followed up by a fantastic 2-1 win over West Ham in the Carabao Cup, putting Spurs through to the semi-finals where they drew Chelsea from the pot. A tough fixture, but one that if they progress past, will be their first final since the Champions League loss to Liverpool, and a chance for Antonio Conte to pick up the first piece of Silverware for Tottenham since their 2-1 League Cup win over Chelsea in 2008 when Juande Ramos was in charge.

But up next for Spurs is a London derby on Boxing Day no less, against Crystal Palace. Headed up by former Arsenal legend, Patrick Viera. So it’s time for a quick preview of the upcoming game.

Current Form

In their last five Premier League outings, Spurs have managed two draws, against both Merseyside teams, Everton and Liverpool, and three wins over Leeds, Brentford and Norwich.

Palace on the other hand have recorded three losses to Aston Villa, Leeds and Manchester United, although each game with just a single goal in it. But they ended that three game losing streak with two back-to-back home fixtures, beating Everton 3-1 and drawing 2-2 with Southampton.

However, considering they managed an impressive 2-0 victory over Manchester City in mid-november, Palace fans will have been wanting more from their side. But it looks like they may well be finding their way again. They will have to face a much fitter Spurs side though who had a two week break with COVID-19 related issues, and their fitness proved trouble for Liverpool and West Ham, but could the two games in quick succession help Palace out?

Head-to-Head

The past five meetings between the two sides have been a bit erratic over the last couple of seasons. The most recent fixture saw Palace run out 3-0 winners earlier this season, but back in March, it was Spurs who would win by a three goal margin with a score line of 4-1. The two previous fixtures before that were both 1-1 draws, and back in September of 2019, Spurs dominated their London rivals in a 4-0 victory.

But this season, Spurs have managed a perfect home record this season when playing teams below them in the league, winning all five matches. Of course that doesn’t mean Boxing Day’s result has already been decided, but it will give the team confidence. And when they have three postponed away fixtures to be rescheduled, where their form hasn’t been fantastic, they will want to ensure that they make the most of their home fixtures.

Predictions

If you’re one for betting on EPL odds then here are our predictions for the upcoming game on Boxing Day, but we’re no psychics so take our predictions with a pinch of salt. Spurs are clear favourites going into this tie at odds of 3/4, with Palace 19/5 and 13/5 given for a draw. With their new found form under Conte, we’re expecting a Spurs win here, and with the last two home fixtures against Palace both seeing Spurs net four, we’re also expecting goals.

Harry Kane managed his first home goal of the season against Liverpool, and it may have been what fans needed to awaken the sleeping giant who has been off the pace since rumours of him moving to City did the rounds. But if he won’t be scoring, there is one man who will, Son Heung-min, who has netted seven times this season, including one on the opening day fixture to see Spurs beat Manchester City 1-0.

So for our prediction, we’re going with a Spurs win, Son to score any time, and over 2.5 goals for both teams combined which should fetch you odds of around 15/4, meaning if you stick £10 on, you’ll get a nice return of £47.50.