*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widget, while in-copy odds are accurate at time of publication but subject to change
Right now, I believe Tottenham Hotspur look the most composed side in the Premier League and at this stage, I’d make them slight favourites to lift the trophy come season’s end. At the same time, I can also see them losing 4-0 to Crystal Palace and this is precisely why I love football and Jose Mourinho.
Today, we’re seeing the good side of him. It’s smiles and cohesive defensive shape. But with the Portuguese veteran, we’re never more than a VAR decision away from kicked water bottles, aggressive touchline behaviour and a full-blown mutiny.
It’s like watching a horror film – you know when the jump is coming, but you still peer through the cracks in your fingers because a part of you enjoys the slaughter. Well folks, welcome to the unlikely foil in Spurs’ season: Roy Hodgson – the most Tottenham manager of all-time never to manage the club.
How do we gauge Palace? Well, failing to score in defeats to Burnley and Newcastle are sandwiched between putting five past West Brom and four past Leeds. Yeah, exactly. It’s like they’re trying to confuse you. But their inconsistency is inconsistent enough to see them safe – it’s just a matter of which Palace turns up on the day.
Tottenham to Win
I enjoy this matchup for Spurs particularly as Mourinho isn’t daft enough to send his full-backs forward and be caught out by Palace’s only real threat.
Spurs are frequently benefitting from wide-open spaces, and while those won’t exactly be as inviting this time, Selhurst Park’s dimensions play into their hands, as they’re only ever a single pass away from a shot on goal from one of their many threats.
They often say in football that you won’t win a Premier League title without a talisman – and that’s why United bought Robin van Persie the last time they resembled a football club – but Spurs have two, and it’s hard to find any flaws in them, even with one of their big-named boys having an off-day.
This should be straightforward.
Under 2.5 Goals
Jose Mourinho said his favourite scoreline in football is 2-0 and this kind of has the feel of a 2-0 win for Spurs, too.
You saw how compact they were after going ahead against Arsenal, and, while I mean no disrespect to Palace here, Hodgson’s boys really don’t have a playmaker who can break down what will effectively be a defensive unit comprised of nine highly-motivated footballers who can smell momentum favouring them once more.
And the fun thing about Palace is their pragmatism. Once they’re out the game, Hodgson is old school enough to not even bother trying.
You have to admire him in some ways really, don’t you?
Harry Kane to Score
The reason I’ve gone for him here is over the penalty duties. I can see Palace biting on a late tackle after they’ve let a runner slip in behind like they to do in wide areas.
And, in all likelihood, he’ll decide with Son before kickoff which one of them is setting the other up on any given day.
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widget, while in-copy odds are accurate at time of publication but subject to change
Crystal Palace v Tottenham Hotspur tips
Tottenham to Win
Under 2.5 Goals
Harry Kane to Score
More Sunday tips
- Awesome Aubameyang can fire Arsenal to win over Burnley
- Our trader’s best bet for Leicester v Brighton
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