Tottenham will look to build on their growing momentum when they host London rivals Crystal Palace on Saturday evening.
Roberto De Zerbi’s new-look side have taken time to find their feet this season, but there are now signs of life.
Last weekend brought their best performance under the Italian so far, as they secured a well-deserved 2-0 win away at Chelsea, which followed a 3-1 victory over Coventry.
Back at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday, Spurs will be keen to keep the feel-good factor going at Palace’s expense.
Pierre Sage’s side make the short trip across the capital after back-to-back Premier League defeats, the most recent of which was a 2-0 home loss to Newcastle that leaves them just above the relegation zone.
However, the Eagles did provide their supporters with some much-needed cheer by claiming a morale-boosting 1-0 win away at Fulham in the EFL Cup on Wednesday night.
How the bookies view it: Tottenham to take top honours
It has been almost two years since Tottenham last won consecutive Premier League home games, but they are short-priced 1/2 favourites with bet365 to put that right against Palace on Saturday evening.
Crystal Palace’s only Premier League away win this season was a 3-2 victory at Fulham, and they are as big as 9/2 with bet365 to leave Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with all three points. The draw is also considered unlikely at 15/4.
Head to head: Tottenham tend to triumph
Tottenham have usually come out on top in this fixture, winning 38 of their 69 meetings with Crystal Palace, with 15 draws and 16 defeats. One of those losses came last season, when the Eagles won 3-1 in north London, and a repeat of that scoreline this weekend is a whopping 40/1 with bet365.
Players to watch: Kudus to clip Eagles' wings?
Mohammed Kudus is a player who likes to pull the trigger, and he looks worthy of support to hit the target at least once during this all-London affair at 8/11 with bet365. He worked the goalkeeper during last weekend’s 2-0 win away at Chelsea.
Chris Richards has committed at least one foul in four of his last five Premier League appearances for Crystal Palace, so the even money (1/1) on offer for him to do so again on Saturday evening looks like excellent value.
Predicted line-ups
Spurs will be without the suspended Rodrigo Bentancur, while Destiny Udogie, Savio, Mykhailo Mudryk, Xavi Simons and Wilson Odobert are all expected to miss out. James Maddison is a major doubt after being forced off against Chelsea. On a more positive note, Tosin Adarabioyo and Lucas Bergvall could be in line to return.
The Eagles remain without Takehiro Tomiyasu and Chadi Riad, while Ismaila Sarr, Jorgen Strand Larsen and Quinten Timber are all doubts and will face late fitness checks. Dean Henderson looks set to keep his place in goal after returning for the midweek win at Fulham.
Tottenham: Kinsky; Porro, Van Hecke, Van de Ven, Robertson; Tonali, Fernandes; Kudus, Gallagher, Marmoush; Solanke
Crystal Palace: Henderson; Richards, Disasi, Canvot; Khalaili, Wharton, Kamada, Mitchell; Pino, McNeil; Mateta
Anything else catch the eye?
The aforementioned Mohammed Kudus is well known for being a tricky customer, and that makes him an attractive proposition to be fouled twice or more during this capital clash at 6/4 on bet365.
The Spurs forward has been fouled twice or more in three of his last six Premier League appearances, including each of Spurs’ last two home games.
He will likely be up against Jaydee Canvot, who has committed two fouls in each of Crystal Palace’s last two top-flight road trips.
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