Everything on... Crystal Palace

We completed a league double over Crystal Palace last season, claiming 1-0 wins both at home and away as we pushed towards Champions League qualification.

A second-half strike from Heung-Min Son sealed the home win last November before a Harry Kane header at Selhurst Park in February made it six points from six against the Eagles.

Here’s everything you need to know about our opponents in Saturday’s 5.30pm kick-off...

Team news

Palace manager Roy Hodgson has reported no new injury concerns for his squad ahead of this weekend’s game.

Christian Benteke, Scott Dann, Joel Ward and Connor Wickham remain sidelined.

One to watch

Full-back Patrick van Aanholt is a key figure at Selhurst Park with his pace, energy and attacking threat making him one of the most dangerous defenders in the league.

Since the start of the 2015/16 season, Van Aanholt has found an eye for goal as he has netted 16 times, making him the highest-scoring defender in the Premier League in that period.

The Dutch international came through the youth system at Chelsea before he joined Sunderland in the summer of 2014, where he made nearly 100 appearances. He moved to South London after two-and-a-half years on Wearside and to date has scored nine goals in 55 games for the Eagles.

Last five meetings

25 February, 2018 – Crystal Palace 0-1 Spurs – Premier League
5 November, 2017 – Spurs 1-0 Crystal Palace – Premier League
26 April, 2017 – Crystal Palace 0-1 Spurs – Premier League
20 August, 2016 – Spurs 1-0 Crystal Palace – Premier League
21 February, 2016 – Spurs 0-1 Crystal Palace – FA Cup

Previous clash

A late, late Kane header gave us the three points at Selhurst Park in February as we finally broke down a resolute Palace defence to seal a 1-0 win.

We dominated the game throughout, enjoying 76 per cent possession in the game, but we could not break down the Eagles’ back line, who swooped to deny us at every opportunity.

That was until, in the 88th minute, Kane lost his marker to nod in Christian Eriksen’s teasing corner.

Crystal Palace’s form

It has been a tough few weeks for Roy Hodgson’s side, who are currently on a six-game winless run in the Premier League that stretches back to the middle of September.

Since their 1-0 win away at Huddersfield on 15 September, the Eagles have suffered defeats to Bournemouth (2-1), Wolves (1-0), Everton (2-0) and Chelsea (3-1) but have picked up draws against both Newcastle and Arsenal in that spell.

Palace had looked strong in the Carabao Cup as they went to Championship side West Brom in September and eased into the fourth round as they picked up a 3-0 win. Their progress was halted a week ago on Wednesday, however, by a 1-0 defeat at Middlesbrough.

Magic moment

It normally requires a moment of brilliance to break down the strong defence of Crystal Palace and it was no different when we visited Selhurst Park back in April, 2017.

We had showered Wayne Hennessey’s goal with efforts throughout the first half but had no luck in beating the Welsh keeper. Kane and Dele Alli both forced smart saves but it was to take something special to find the breakthrough.

On 78 minutes, Danish playmaker Eriksen duly delivered that magic as after setting himself up with two touches of the ball, he fired into the bottom corner from 35 yards. We were able to see out the closing moments efficiently to secure a 1-0 win.

Played for both

Winger Andros Townsend graduated from our Academy and established himself in the first team at White Hart Lane before moving on in 2016.

On his debut, the winger was voted Man of the Match as he scored in our 3-0 FA Cup win over Charlton Athletic. After making just shy of 100 appearances and scoring 11 goals in our colours, he signed for Newcastle United in January, 2016, before moving to Crystal Palace six months later.

Since arriving at Selhurst Park, the England international has helped the Eagles to finish 14th and 11th in the Premier League and is on his way to making a century of appearances for Palace.

What they’re saying

In spite of their results, Palace boss Roy Hodgson has been happy with his side’s performances in recent weeks but has admitted that he expects us to pose a tough test on Saturday.

“It’s important for the players to realise that the performances are important and that if we are to get points and are to win games then it will be because we are giving good performances,” the manager said.

“We are restricting opposing teams’ chances and ability to score against us while we ourselves are posing a threat.

“In the last two games I’ve seen that, so we have to keep going, knowing full well once again (that) the opposition in front of us in the shape of Tottenham Hotspur is going to be a very difficult one because of the quality of their players.”