After Chelsea, is Palace next? Tottenham vs Crystal Palace prediction
On October 31, Tottenham will host Crystal Palace in a London derby in the ninth round of the English Premier League. The hosts are gradually regaining confidence after a difficult spell, while the visitors are trying to address serious defensive problems. Despite Palace’s recent cup success, Roberto De Zerbi’s side looks like the favorite to win this clash.
Tottenham: the winning streak is gaining momentum
The Spurs have noticeably improved in recent rounds. After drawing with Manchester United (1-1), the team beat Coventry (3-1) before comfortably overcoming Chelsea away from home (2-0). These results point to a gradual restoration of their balance and cohesion.
The hallmark of the current Tottenham side is its ability to raise the tempo late in matches. Six of the team’s eight league goals have been scored in the final 15 minutes. In the derby against Chelsea, the winning goals came in the 77th and 87th minutes.
However, the squad’s injury and suspension problems remain serious. Rodrigo Bentancur is suspended, while James Maddison is dealing with discomfort after the previous match. Savio, Lucas Bergvall, Wilson Odobert and Xavi Simons are also unavailable. The positive news is the return of Pedro Porro and Dejan Kulusevski’s gradual recovery.
Crystal Palace: cup success amid a defensive crisis
The Eagles head into the derby after beating Fulham (1-0) in the League Cup. Eddie Nketiah’s only goal secured the team’s place in the quarter-finals, while Dean Henderson, returning after an absence, helped keep a clean sheet.
However, their Premier League results are a cause for concern. Crystal Palace suffered a heavy 5-0 defeat to Brighton before losing to Newcastle (0-2). The London side has conceded 19 goals in eight rounds — the most in the league.
Further difficulties are linked to injuries. The involvement of Ismaïla Sarr, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Jørgen Strand Larsen and Quinten Timber remains in doubt. Against the backdrop of an unstable defense, these absences could prove a major obstacle.
Match facts and head-to-head record
- Tottenham have won their last two league matches by an aggregate score of 5-1
- Crystal Palace have conceded 19 goals in their opening eight Premier League matches
- In seven of the last ten head-to-head meetings, at least one team failed to score
Can the visitors withstand the pressure: Tottenham vs Crystal Palace prediction
Tottenham are gradually finding their rhythm, and the victory over Chelsea should give the team an extra boost of confidence. The hosts are capable of maintaining a high tempo until the final whistle, which will be especially important against an opponent with an inconsistent defense.
Crystal Palace showed good organization in their cup match, but one successful performance is not enough to suggest that the crisis has been overcome. Considering the teams’ current form and the visitors’ defensive problems, we expect a convincing home win.
