Chris Sutton predicts close score in Crystal Palace vs Tottenham Hotspur
Chris Sutton believes that Tottenham Hotspur will not have things their own way against Crystal Palace as they did in the London derby against West Ham United last week.
Huge opportunity for Tottenham
Spurs will see Sunday’s trip to Selhurst Park as a big opportunity to get three points on board and continue moving up the Premier League table.
Barring the second-half performance against Brighton, the Lilywhites have been in sublime form for over the last month, and they will take on a Palace side who are extremely low on confidence.
Oliver Glasner’s are winless in their eight league games so far, currently languishing in the relegation zone, but Sutton believes that they will give Tottenham a close game.
Chris Sutton’s warning for Spurs
The former Celtic striker pointed out that Palace will pose more of a threat on the counter-attack than West Ham did at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last week.
He suggested that some of the Eagles’ attackers might have joy playing against Spurs’ high defensive line but backed the away side to edge out of their opponents.
Sutton told BBC Sport: “Crystal Palace are desperate to get their first league win of the season, but any sort of positive result would do after losing their past three games.
“I am backing Tottenham, although I am a bit concerned about the fitness of Son Heung-min, who is back from injury but was rested for their Europa League game with AZ Alkmaar on Thursday.
“Tiredness could affect other players. Spurs play high-pressing and high-energy football and I wonder what playing twice a week will do to them.
Also, the way Tottenham play might suit Palace more, because Eberechi Eze will have a lot more space than he had in their defeat against Nottingham Forest on Monday.
“So Palace should pose more of a threat, but Spurs blew West Ham away and, while this will be a lot closer, I still expect them to win.”
Score Prediction: Crystal Palace 1-2 Tottenham
Fatigue will not be a factor
Postecoglou rang the changes to the starting eleven against Alkmaar on Thursday and no more than two or three of those players will start the game on Sunday.
Fatigue would thus not be an issue, but the potential absence of Heung-min Son would be a blow for Ange Postecoglou. However, that potential blow has been somewhat cushioned by the fact that Wilson Odobert is now back in action.
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