Matchday 29 of the Premier League will conclude with a meeting between two London sides, Tottenham Hotspur and Crystal Palace, both of whom have struggled in recent months compared with the start of the season.
Tottenham Hotspur
While Crystal Palace can still realistically break into the top half of the standings, we do not see that possibility for Tottenham Hotspur. They are closer to the relegation zone (four points) than they are to fourteenth-placed Crystal Palace (six). Ahead lie a UEFA Champions League round of 16 tie against Atlético Madrid and away trips to Anfield, Villa Park and Stamford Bridge. In their last away match they could not cope even with Fulham, losing 1:2 in a game the hosts deservedly won (2.28 xGA). That defeat was their fourth in a row in the Premier League, and for eight rounds now the side have conceded at least two goals in every league match.
Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace are finding it hard to pick up points, scoring only about 1.1 goals per game. The departure of their main attacking threat, Eberechi Eze, at the end of the summer has been felt. Centre-forward Jean-Philippe Mateta and winger Eddie Nketiah are currently injured. The defence also needed time to adjust after Marc Guéhi was sold in January, and Jefferson Lerma from the back three is sidelined, although the side somehow managed to get through the match against Wolverhampton Wanderers 1:0 with youngsters Chadi Riad and Jaïde Kanvo. In the last round they also lost Maxence Lacroix to a red card after he conceded a penalty against Manchester United in a 1:2 defeat. Who is actually going to play here? The only real hope is more saves from Dean Henderson.
Tottenham Hotspur vs Crystal Palace Prediction
Tottenham Hotspur last won on New Year’s Eve, and that was against Crystal Palace (1:0). Their winless run now stands at ten matches. Given Crystal Palace’s slightly improved results (two wins in their last four league games), we are not prepared to back the hosts. At the same time, the visitors’ defensive problems suggest a match with mistakes at both ends, so we prefer the over on the total goals market.
