Crystal Palace vs Tottenham Prediction & Betting Tips (28 December)

We will undoubtedly have to count on Crystal Palace in the second half of the season in the fight for European accessions. Engaged this year in the Conference League where it took 10th place in the league phase after its draw against KuPS 2-2 last week, this team is in the middle of the table in the championship with only 3 points behind the big 4. However, the Eagles have been less good lately. After beating Burnley 0-1 and Fulham 1-2, Oliver Glasner's men were swept aside by Manchester City 0-3 and were then largely beaten last Saturday by Leeds 4-1. This week they will face Arsenal in the League Cup quarter-final.

 Opposite, Tottenham still cannot convince this season after an already complicated last exercise, saved by the title obtained in the Europa League ahead of Manchester United. Still stuck in the 2nd part of the ranking, in 13th position, Thomas Frank's players are 4 lengths behind their opponent of the day.  Since their last victory against Brentford 2-0, Spurs were largely dominated by Nottingham Forest 3-0 and they ended up losing to Liverpool 1-2 last weekend. In the meantime, Tottenham was still able to win against Slavia Prague 3-0 in a Champions League match where this team occupies 11th place in the league phase, just a short distance from the top 8. 

Among the Eagles, the excellent full-back Munoz (3 goals and 2 assists in the PL) must still wait before returning to competition. To this we add that the long-term absentees Riad, Kporha, Cardines (defenders) and Doucouré (midfielder) as well as the Japanese international Kamada are also forced to stay in the stands for this meeting. Finally, starting winger Sarr left to play the African Cup of Nations with Senegal. On the other hand, the French international Mateta (7 goals in PL) is indeed available to compete for this poster. Nketiah (2 goals in PL) and Pino (1 goal in PL) should take their place on the wings. The Spurs also deplore quite a few absentees, starting with the offensive Maddison, Kulusevski and Solanke as well as left back Udogie who are all in the hands of the club's medical staff.

The Bissouma and Sarr midfielders left to compete in the African Cup of Nations with their selection while defenders Dragusin and Takai are still doubtful after being absent on the last day. Finally, defender Romero and disappointing striker Xavi Simons (1 goal, 2 assists in PL) are suspended after being sent off against the Reds. Conversely, the Ghanaian Kudus (2 goals and 5 assists in PL), and Richarlison (7 goals and 2 assists in PL) are available in the same way as the French Kolo-Muani who is still looking to score his first league goal with Tottenham.  The probable line-ups for Crystal Palace - Tottenham: Crystal Palace: Henderson - Richards, Lacroix, Guehi - Clyne, Hugues, Wharton, Mitchell - Nketiah, Mateta, Pino.Tottenham: Vicario - Pedro Porro, Danso, Van de Ven, Spence - Kudus, Bentancur, Bergvall, Johnson - Kolo Muani, Richarlison.