Crystal Palace vs Tottenham - as it happened: Christian Eriksen goal keeps Spurs' title hopes alive
Tottenham run into in-form Crystal Palace tonight, 24 hours after Chelsea beat Southampton. Spurs will be desperately trying to close the gap back to four points again, but will have to dispatch a rejuvenated Crystal Palace if they want to extend their winning run in the league to eight games and heap more pressure on Chelsea.
Mauricio Pochettino will be desperate to bounce back after losing to title rivals Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-final on Saturday, but Palace, recent victors over Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool, will provide stern opposition.
With survival all but guaranteed for 12th-placed Palace, Sam Allardyce has hinted at wholesale changes ahead of the London derby to guard against burnout after a testing run of fixtures. However, the attacking triumvirate of Andros Townsend, Christian Benteke and Wilfried Zaha have proved too much to handle for even the strongest defences at this late stage of the season, and a victory for the Eagles could lift them as high as ninth if results go their way.
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What time does it start?
Crystal Palace vs Tottenham kicks off at 20:00.
Where can I watch it?
The match will be shown live on Sky Sports 1 from 19:30. Highlights will be shown at 01:30 on Sky Sports 1.
It’s a big game for…
Wilfried Zaha: The tricky winger has proved he is one of the most naturally gifted players in the Premier League this season, and with Wednesday’s opposition Spurs rumoured to be an admirer, he will be keen to prove to Pochettino that he can perform on the big stage.
Best stat…
Harry Kane has scored 18 goals in 24 London derbies in the Premier League (0.75 goals per game). However, he has only scored once in his last four appearances against Palace.
Remember when…
The 2015/16 season was a breakout one for Dele Alli, and he produced a moment of inspiration during Tottenham’s visit to Selhurst Park in January 2016. The England prospect controlled the ball before flicking it over the onrushing Mile Jedinak and expertly volleying past Wayne Hennessey.
Player to watch…
Christian Benteke: Perennial end-of-season performer Christian Benteke has scored five goals in his last five games, including goals against Chelsea, Leicester and Liverpool. The talismanic striker scored a brace to sink former club Liverpool on Sunday and will be looking to add to his impressive tally against high-ranked opposition.
Past three-meetings…
Tottenham 1 Crystal Palace 0, Premier League August 2016
Tottenham 0 Crystal Palace 1, FA Cup, February 2016
Crystal Palace 1 Tottenham 3, Premier League January 2016
Form guide…
Crystal Palace: WWLWDW
Tottenham: WWWWWL
Odds…
Crystal Palace to win: 9/2
Tottenham to win: 3/5
Draw: 16/5
(Odds provided by 888 Sport)
