The job really begins for Alan Pardew at Selhurst Park as he tries to guide Palace away from the relegation zone, whilst Tottenham head to South London trying to keep up the pressure on their rivals for a Champions League place.
To be played on Saturday 10th January 2015 at 17:30. Venue: Selhurst Park, London
Odds: C. Palace 45/17, Draw 5/1, Tottenham 6/5
There’s not just a new manager at Selhurst Park with Alan Pardew taking charge of his first Premier League game, but there is also a new pitch at the home of the Eagles as they look to start getting results to pull themselves clear of the relegation zone.
Palace currently sit in 18th place in the Premier League, and have drawn the two games that Keith Millen has presided over in caretaker charge, but Palace haven’t won in each of their last eight league games, which needs to change quickly. A win this weekend would more than likely take them out of the bottom three. The hosts will be without Mile Jedinak who is at the Asian Cup in Australia.
They may find it difficult against a very confident Tottenham side whose last league encounter was a 5-3 win over title favourites Chelsea. Spurs have avoided defeat in each of their last six league games, winning four of them, and the trip to Selhurst Park marks the start of a busy schedule for Mauricio Pochettino’s side, with games in the FA Cup and League Cup also carrying significance for his side over the next three weeks.
The visitors are currently two points off the Champions League places, and with Manchester United and Southampton meeting this weekend – who are directly ahead of Spurs in the table – it presents an opportunity to get into the top four.
“I know from the welcome I’ve had, ex-players etc, that the place will be jumping for us. They’re beatable, they have tremendous technical players and [Palace’s new pitch] may help us.”
Alan Pardew
““We are very happy because the 5-3 [against Chelsea] means more than only one victory. It gives us belief in our skill and that we are strong in our mentality. Now we need to show again against Crystal Palace the same mentality.”
Mauricio Pochettino
C. Palace injury news
Glenn Murray ★★ questionable ankle
James McArthur ★ probable knock
Marouane Chamakh ★★★ out hamstring
Tottenham injury news
Erik Lamela ★★★ out calf
Ryan Mason ★★★ out hamstring
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