Tottenham will seek to rebound from their defeat when they play Crystal Palace on Saturday, March 2.
Spurs will host Oliver Glasner‘s new-look Palace side at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this weekend in a major London derby.
Ange Postecoglou‘s side was beaten 2-1 at home by Wolves last time out (Saturday, February 17), and they cannot afford to lose points against the Eagles.
Spurs are five points behind fourth-place Aston Villa after playing one fewer game, and with a crucial match against Unai Emery‘s side at Villa Park coming up, the North London club will be looking to gain momentum before their journey to the West Midlands.
However, this will not be a simple process. Palace will arrive in North London full of confidence after a 3-0 victory over Burnley at Selhurst Park on Saturday, February 24, in Glasner’s debut game in charge of the South London club.
Postecoglou will need to ensure that his team selection is correct if the hosts are to have a chance of winning maximum points and remaining in the race for UEFA Champions League football.
Will Destiny Udogie start for Tottenham against Crystal Palace?
Guglielmo Vicario will look to preserve his place between the sticks following a busy afternoon against Wolves in which he made five saves, three from within the box, and completed 97% of his passes (Sofascore).
Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven will most likely be the starting centre-backs against Palace, with the former winning three of his five ground duels and completing 92% of his passes against Gary O’Neil’s side, while the latter had a particularly impressive afternoon, completing 98% of his passes and making four interceptions.
Spurs were without Destiny Udogie and Pedro Porro against Wolves, and the Evening Standard has offered an update on the pair’s fitness (28 February), stating that while Porro has yet to return to first-team training, Udogie has returned and is expected to play against Palace.
Postecoglou will most likely be looking to replace Ben Davies with Udogie following the Welshman’s dismal showing last time out, in which he won only 50% of his aerial duels and finished 0% of his crosses, although attempting six.
Emerson Royal, who deputised for Porro against Wolves, could be asked to do so again.
Pape Matar Sarr will most likely continue in midfield after winning all of his aerial duels and making one vital pass against Wolves, while Yves Bissouma is also likely to keep his spot after winning six of his eight ground duels, making five tackles, and completing 94% of his passes.
James Maddison will aim to bring creativity in midfield, while Dejan Kulusevski is unlikely to be replaced following his goal-scoring performance in the Wolves defeat, during which he completed 100% of his dribbling attempts.
Son Heung-min had a rough afternoon last time out, completing only one of his four crosses into the box and failing to register a shot on goal, and Postecoglou will be hoping that a two-week break has benefited the South Korean international after his rigorous schedule in recent months.
Richarlison has not scored in his last two games after scoring twice against his previous club Everton in a 2-2 draw at Goodison Park on Saturday, February 10, and he will be eager to get back on track against Palace.
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