Tottenham Hotspur vs. Crystal Palace: Match Preview, Projected Lineups & Predictions

Turnaround. Tottenham finally got their first win of the season last Sunday, defeating Sunderland 1-0. Ryan Mason scored the game winning goal, while Son Heung-Min featured well in his Tottenham debut. The team returns to London eager to follow its first league win with a second. The biggest key for Spurs may come in their ability to withstand injury, as Christian Eriksen and Ryan Mason are injury doubts while Mousa Dembele and Nabil Bentaleb are expected to miss out. The test will be on for Tottenham to forge a dynamic attack in the face of this spate of injuries.

In the way today is a visit from Crystal Palace, sitting in 7th place with nine points through five games. Alan Pardew's side has been led by new central midfielder Yohan Cabaye, while the likes of Yannick Bolasie, Bakary Sako, and Jason Puncheon will look to benefit up top. Defenders Scott Dann and Pape Souare have helped boost the Palace defense in the league, while young Alex McCarthy will likely be the goalkeeper for the Saints.

Can Spurs get their first home win and push on towards the top half of the table?  We shall see.

How to Watch

Date/time: Sunday, September 20, 1:30 p.m. (UK), 8:30 a.m. ET (USA)
Venue: White Hart Lane, London, UK
Official: Michael Oliver
TV: USA Network (USA), Sky Sports 1 (UK), TSN5 (Canada), Fox Sports 1 (Australia), other listings at livesoccertv.com
Streaming: NBCS Live Extra (USA), Sky Go (UK), 
Radio: Audio streamed at tottenhamhotspur.com, also BBC Radio London and TalkSport

Projected Lineup

The big question for Tottenham lays in central midfield, as Ryan Mason, Mousa Dembele, and Nabil Bentaleb are all doubts with injury, as well as Christian Eriksen in attacking midfield. Son Heung-Min looks to be a major factor in their absence, as we predict his start at left wing shifts Nacer Chadli to central attacking midfield. Dele Alli may be tabbed to start in central midfield, but after pulling a heavy load of minutes in Europa League and the last Premiership match Tom Carroll may be started instead. Also, after Danny Rose started three days ago in Europa League, Ben Davies may be tabbed to start at left back.

Prediction League

As for the Prediction League, Mechanick dropped a perfect prediction last week, drawing him close to league leader Ed. The rules remain the same in the Prediction League -- one point for a correct prediction and a bonus point for getting the score correct. Here are the current standings:

Michael Caley: I hate this one. Palace are good. Tons of important players are injured. We have Arsenal and City in the next eight days and that's probably going to require rotation in preparation. We're either going to start Eric Dier after he played 150 minutes this week, or scarier still we're not going to play Eric Dier. And yet I can't pick Spurs to lose at home to anyone not above our level. But my analytical mind can't allow me to pick a draw--draws are basically never the most likely outcome of a match. So through gritted teeth. Spurs 2-1.

Bryan A.: Palace are good and Pardew is oddly good, but Spurs look like they're starting to put things together, so a disappointing draw is on the cards. 1-1 Draw.

GN_Punk: Short prep after Europa has not been kind to Spurs in the past, but after playing a fairly rotated side against Qarabag, I expect the team to be ready for Pardew's Trolls on Sunday. Kane's going to score. I'm certain of it this time. Also, after the victory, Pochettino drops a Stone Cold Stunner on Pardew. 2-1 Spurs

Mechanick: Son is the most talented winger we have had since Bale. Especially at home, I will turn to him again, and expect the Spurs defense to shut down the tough Eagles attack. 1-0 Spurs

Ed F.: 2-1 Palace.

Skipjack: 2-2 Draw. I have a bad feeling about this one.

Dustin Menno: Is Eriksen healthy? No? Then despite the positive run of form, I expect we’re going to get Pardew’d. 1-1 Draw

Brett Rainbow: 2-1 Spurs

Ben Daniels: Crystal Palace is a fraud. So is Alan Pardew. They've got some fast dribbly wingers and Yohan Cabaye. I am not impressed. 3-1 Spurs.

Kevin McCauley: TBD

55thVin: Harry Kane is playing well, just not scoring. Well, now Son is here to capitalize on all that attention Harry draws. Feeling loose and confident after getting in the goals, we get in some more. Honestly, this depends on how Pardew sets up. We've seen his sides try to play football with Spurs in the past and get battered pillar to post. We've seen him rely on 14 save brilliance from Tim Krul. We've also seen him pull a cheeky result here and there. So I'm really not sure what we'll get. 3-1 Spurs

Earl of Shoop: Palace are pretty good. We're getting better but won't see this out - especially if Eriksen's still out and Dier's injured/sits. To make matters worse, here's what pops up on Poche's Apple Watch when the whistle blows an end to this 2-1 Crystal Palace defeat:

Luke Zimmermann: We’re gonna fight. For our right. To Pardew. (I’m so sorry) Spurs win though, 2-0. Ryan Mason’s unusually bright form continues making us all feel things. Spurs 2-0

Salmon Chase: I have come to accept two grim realities in this world. Lamela will never be good, at least not as good as the money we paid for him would indicate. And secondly the rest of the staff will never realize that puns may be clever, they are not funny.  These are both sad and boarder line tragic things, but in life sometimes you need to experience tragedy in order to really appreciate brilliance....Hey I should write something for this website soon. 2-0 Spurs

Matthew Pachniuk: Crystal Palace’s threat comes from the directness of their play.  They are talented and speedy, but ultimately one dimensional; our backline should be able to handle whatever is thrown at them.  Spurs have been decent thus far but have failed to throw a truly comprehensive performance together.  Harry Kane is ripe to breakout, Son is getting more comfortable with the squad, and I love our options coming off the bench.  We make it three on the trot. 2-1 Spurs.