Crystal Palace will be Tottenham Hotspur’s first opponents in the club’s new stadium this week.
In comments reported by the London Evening Standard, Roy Hodgson has admitted that he is pleased that Crystal Palace will be the first team to face Spurs in their new stadium, and predicted that the occasion will bring the very best out of Tottenham.
After a lengthy wait following the first test event, Mauricio Pochettino’s men are closing in on getting their first taste of playing inside their new home, with the Eagles visiting the ground on Wednesday.
Given how long the club have waited for their new stadium to be completed and the heights that the fans will be hoping it can help take Spurs to, it is understandably going to be a huge night for Tottenham.
And Hodgson admitted that although he is pleased that his side are going to playing their part in the stadium’s history, he predicted that Tottenham will be even harder to beat than usual.
“I am really happy that it has fallen our way, that we happen to be the team that Tottenham are playing on the day,” he said, as reported by the London Evening Standard. “Whether it turns out to be advantageous in any way we just have to wait and say. I somewhat doubt it.
“I think Tottenham will be so anxious to do so well that we are going to see the very, very best Tottenham that you can see.”
Of course, a win for Spurs would be significant because of the stadium’s opening. But it is also a three points that Pochettino’s men really need after a disappointing run of four defeats in five league games.
Three points separate third place from sixth in the table, so the race for the top four looks set to go right down to the wire. But Spurs can take themselves back into third with a win on what looks set to be a historic night for the club.
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