A home match with Crystal Palace, despite being a London derby is not a particularly big fixture for Tottenham Hotspur fans. However, the game takes on added significance on Wednesday night as they play in their new stadium for the first time.
The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium has been delayed but now it is complete and looks very impressive. Spurs fans will be hoping they can make the venue a fortress and start with a win. Crystal Palace will be aiming to spoil the party as they try and make a push towards the top half of the table.
Spurs conceded a late goal in the match at Liverpool on Sunday to lose the game 2-1. They will feel as though they deserved a point and could easily have taken a 2-1 lead themselves late in the second half before a Hugo Lloris error gifted Liverpool the points.
They will need to bounce back from the disappointment and quickly considering the occasion on Wednesday night.
Having been plying at Wembley, it is difficult to judge Spurs’ home form but over all they have been struggling of late, winning one of their last six games in all competitions. The victory came in the Champions League and trends show they have failed to win any of their last five Premier League matches.
There have been defeats at Burnley, Chelsea, Southampton and Liverpool plus a draw at Wembley against Arsenal.
Crystal Palace secured a 2-0 win over relegated Huddersfield Town at home on the weekend. That result has all but eased their relegation fears this season and thoughts should be turning towards the top half of the table.
Trends show Crystal Palace have lost three of their last eleven games in all competitions. However, the three defeats have come in their last five games, two of which were in the Premier League and one in the FA Cup quarter-final, which was perhaps the most disappointing result.
Away form in the Premier League is good, with just one defeat in their last six. There have been wins at Manchester City, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Leicester City and Burnley. The Eagles have been scoring plenty of goals in recent away games, with 3 or more in four of their last six including 3 at Manchester City, 3 at Liverpool and 4 at Leicester City.
Team news and Spurs are monitoring the fitness of Serge Aurier and Eric Dier who both missed out on the weekend. Harry Winks is hoping to return from a groin injury.
Crystal Palace have Pape Ndiaye Souare and Bakary Sako back in training but Mamadou Sakho is not expected back in action until the end of April. James McArthur will be hoping to return to the starting XI having been on the bench on the weekend.
Spurs will want a big win to open their new stadium but Crystal Palace will provide tough opposition, especially given their recent away record. Expect to see goals and the crowd to push the home team over the line to take the points.