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‘Really struggled’… Paul Merson now predicts the result of Tottenham vs Crystal Palace clash
Paul Merson has backed Tottenham Hotspur to get back to winning ways against Crystal Palace this weekend.
Ange Postecoglou has had the past couple of weeks to prepare his side for Saturday’s game in north London after a 2-1 defeat to Wolves last time out.
Tottenham were lacklustre on home turf against Gary O’Neil’s side and deservedly picked up nothing from the game.
Their clash against Palace is arguably a must-win given the fact they’ve slipped five points behind fourth-placed Aston Villa, albeit with a game in hand.
While the Eagles will be buoyed by a new man in the dugout in Oliver Glasner, Paul Merson is backing Spurs to pick up a comfortable 3-1 win.
Merson predicts Tottenham vs Palace
Writing in his latest column for , Merson claimed that Palace will struggle without key players such as Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise.
“This is a nice game for Tottenham as Palace have a new manager in Oliver Glasner and are set to be without Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise, without whom they’ve really struggled this season,” the Arsenal legend said.
“Spurs play a certain game and this would have been a dangerous game if both Eze and Olise were fit, but without the pair, Palace don’t have enough firepower to secure a positive result.
“Ange Postecoglou’s side have to win this game as Aston Villa have ramped it up a little bit in recent weeks, so I think they’ll get a comfortable win in front of their home fans.”
Spurs were without both Pedro Porro and Destiny Udogie in the defeat to Wolves, which significantly hampered their attacking threat in the game.
Udogie has been at Hotspur Way but it remains to be seen whether or not Porro will return.
With or without Porro, you’d expect Tottenham to get the job done on Saturday.
Should they hope to finish inside the top four, picking up wins at home over bottom-half opposition feels like a must.
There has been some concern over Spurs’ dip in performances of late but they should benefit from the two-week break, with Postecoglou having plenty of time to work with his players on the training pitches.