Tottenham predicted lineup vs Crystal Palace - Premier League
- Tottenham have not played since the defeat against Wolves
- Pedro Porro remains out for this Crystal Palace clash
- Destiny Udogie is expected to return
By Euan Burns
Tottenham are looking to bounce back from their defeat against Wolves when they take on Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.
Ange Postecoglou's side are currently five points behind Aston Villa who sit in fourth, but the Lilywhites have a game in hand. Had they managed to beat Wolves two weeks ago, they would be in with a chance of moving into fourth this weekend.
Having had a weekend off courtesy of the rearranged Chelsea fixture, Tottenham are feeling fresh and do not have a host of injuries. The main absentee is Pedro Porro, but Destiny Udogie should be back in the starting lineup here.
Here is the team that Postecoglou could choose for Tottenham vs Crystal Palace.
Tottenham predicted lineup vs Crystal Palace (4-2-3-1)
GK: Guglielmo Vicario - As proof of the good debut season Guglielmo Vicario is having in the Premier League, for the sixth time in seven months, he has been nominated for save of the month. His reflex saves are seriously impressive.
RB: Emerson Royal - The late injury to Pedro Porro meant that Emerson Royal had to play at right-back against Wolves, and the situation is the same here. That match showed just how reliant Spurs have been on their two favoured full-backs.
CB: Cristian Romero - As expected, Christian Romero has been more measured recently with Micky van de Ven back in the team. Fans are taking great pleasure in pointing out unpunished tackles that Romero certainly would have been sent off for.
CB: Micky van de Ven - Conor Coady recently said that Van de Ven has been the Premier League signing of the season, which is high praise. You have to wonder how much higher he would be viewed had he been fit for the entire campaign.
LB: Destiny Udogie - His return to the starting lineup will be a major boost for Tottenham and it means that Ben Davies will have to drop back down to the bench on Saturday.
CM: Yves Bissouma - Having really endeared himself to the fans by putting Thomas Partey tenth out of 10 when blind-ranking footballers recently, Yves Bissouma can do no wrong. A solid performance in midfield on Saturday would be appreciated, though.
CM: Pape Matar Sarr - He returned from the Africa Cup of Nations and has hit the ground running. Postecoglou clearly trusts him in the midfield more than any other player which is remarkable considering his lack of experience.
RW: Dejan Kulusevski - After the Wolves game, Dejan Kulusevski was bullish about prepping to face Palace, saying: "We have two weeks to work. I’m looking forward to it, two weeks of training, it’s not usual, so it will be very good." His form has left a bit to be desired recently.
AM: James Maddison - Like Van de Ven, Tottenham fans would have loved James Maddison to stay fit earlier in the season, but it was not to be. This is the sort of game where he needs to be at his creative best at Palace may not give him a lot of space.
LW: Timo Werner - A reshuffling of the frontline could see Timo Werner reinstated into the starting lineup. Spurs are still mulling over whether to trigger the £15m buy option in his loan deal.
CF: Son Heung-min - Seemingly recovered from the dislocated finger he reportedly suffered after an altercation with South Korea teammate Lee Kang-in after their Asian Cup exit, Son Heung-min's form will be central to whether Spurs get top four or not. Likely to move centrally with Richarlison out.
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