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Tottenham Hotspur welcome Crystal Palace to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday as the Premier League resumes at the end of the international break. After steering his club to the UEFA Champions League final last season, Mauricio Pochettino has raised expectations for a realistic title challenge this time. However, Spurs have been disappointing in the league so far.
Pochettino’s men were off to a flyer after starting the season with a 3-1 win at home against Aston Villa. Since then, though, Spurs have been without a win. They managed two draws – against Arsenal and Manchester City, and succumbed to a disappointing defeat at the hands of Newcastle United. The game against Crystal Palace, as such, is a must-win tie for the Pochettino, regardless of the fact that it will be far from easy.
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Crystal Palace are currently 4th on the table and have already defeated Manchester United this season. Pochettino will need to get his team selection right in order to grab all three points on offer. Today, we take a look at the probable starting XI that the Argentine tactician could opt for against Crystal Palace.
Goalkeeper
There’s isn’t much room for debate here. Hugo Lloris is the automatic starter for Pochettino, even though the Frenchman has failed to keep a clean sheet so far this season. There’s no denying that Lloris still is one of the best shot-stoppers in the world right now. This season, the Frenchman has already made 19 saves so far in the first 4 games, which is the most in the league. Against Crystal Palace, though, he will be desperate for a clean sheet.
Defenders
Mauricio Pochettino had opted for the same backline for the first three games, before making a subtle change in the last game against Arsenal. Against Crystal Palace, the former Southampton manager should have a settled back four starting together for the first time this season.
Kyle Walker-Peters should return to the first team at right-back, after starting 3 of the 4 games so far in that position and impressing. At the heart of the defence should be Pochettino’s dependable centre-back pairing of Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld. Both defenders are good with the ball at their feet and have a great understanding that would help Spurs play their natural game. Danny Rose has looked reliable at the back and adventurous going forward. He has been an omnipresent figure in the team so far and should continue at left-back.
Midfielders
After a debut goal in the first game against Aston Villa, new boy Tanguy Ndombele looked like a massive buy for Pochettino. He was in the team that secured a draw against Manchester City but missed the last two games due to a thigh injury. Thankfully, the Frenchman has recovered and should find himself thrown into action against Crystal Palace. Ndombele provides a drive and tenacity in the midfield that works very well for Pochettino’s set up.
Alongside the Frenchman, Pochettino might opt for the ever-reliable Harry Winks. The Englishman has started every game for Spurs this season and is the silent worker in the midfield who keeps this Tottenham team ticking. Winks keeps things simple in the midfield and ensures that the ball keeps moving, but is also important when Tottenham lose possession. The Englishman is very good at pressing the ball and intercepting the opposition play.
The final piece of the Tottenham midfield puzzle is Christian Eriksen. The Danish midfielder is the creative hub of this Tottenham team and he is the one who threads those inch-perfect final balls to break open the opposition. Eriksen started 2 of the 4 games so far this season, while he came off the bench in the other two and has already scored one goal. This weekend though, Tottenham will require his expertise to break down a resolute Crystal Palace team.
Forwards
Mauricio Pochettino’s team has scored 7 goals from 4 games, but it has not been enough to drive them to the top of the table so far. After missing the first two games of the season, Son Heung-Min started in each of the last two games and should be among the starting XI against Crystal Palace as well. The South Korean can be lethal in front of goal, and Son will be itching to score his first of the season against Palace.
Dele Alli recovered from a hamstring injury to make his first appearance of the season against Arsenal, albeit off the bench. However, the Englishman should be back in the starting XI against Palace and Pochettino could do with his presence in the team. Alli’s darting runs into the box and his finishing abilities could be an asset for this Tottenham side against Palace.
Harry Kane will continue to lead the line, after a strong outing with England in the international break. The Englishman scored a hattrick against Bulgaria and also found the net against Kosovo in the following game. Kane has already scored 3 goals from 4 appearances this season and will be looking to add to his tally against Crystal Palace.
