It’s Boxing Day, and there is perhaps no greater time to play football. The festive period might mean family-time in other countries but England, particularly, the Premier League has continued its rich tradition of playing games on this historic day despite the ongoing rise in Covid-19 cases. Two matches might have been called off but the London derby between Spurs and Crystal Palace is set to go ahead as scheduled.
Antonio Conte has come back into English football like he never left. His second season at Chelsea may have been characterized by poor results and dull performances, but his first campaign was perhaps one of the best in the history of the competition. Things have not changed since he moved up north of the city as Tottenham are looking on a roll. They have had questionable moments in the UEFA Europa Conference League, but they have not dropped a beat in the league. In fact, Spurs produced perhaps their best performance against Liverpool since beating Ajax 3-2 in the UCL semi-final in 2019. Jose Mourinho had some great games with them, but Conte has got them fearing the rest of the league. The number of chances they created against the 2nd placed side in the league, albeit slightly depleted by Covid-19 cases, was incredible. Harry Kane was looking confident again, and Tanguy Ndombele looks his old self. Dele Alli, too, was at best, making runs beyond the last defender and physically winning the midfield battle. They should have won the game but the display would have been hugely encouraging for Conte. To add to that, they defeated West Ham in mid-week to secure a berth in the semi-final of the Carabao Cup. Thus, they are unlikely to drop levels against Palace on Sunday afternoon. The Eagles might be playing some good football and did defeat Spurs 3-0 at Selhurst Park in September, but they are much more coordinated and drilled now. It also helps that the Italian gaffer is always off his bench shouting instructions. The North London club shall be going in as favourites and are likely to live up to those standards, especially as they are within touching distance of the Top 4.
Conte was bound to churn out performances from a talented Spurs side. He has won league titles previously and could lead the Lilywhites to success in the coming years. Thus, he has a track record, but one man that did not have any but has yet impressed most clubs around Europe is Patrick Vieira. The Arsenal legend has a good standing in the league, but not due to his managerial talent, although he is keen to add that to his CV. His good eye for signings and style of football has been a wonderful watch up until now. The results have been here and there but expecting consistency out of a side that experienced a mass exodus in the summer and spent less than £60million to rebuild it is preposterous. They are certainly punching above their weight, but it must be noted that their best performer has been Chelsea loanee, Conor Gallagher. Michael Olise shall come into his own soon while Wilfried Zaha no longer looks like a man carrying the weight of a team on his shoulders. Marc Guehi and Joachim Anderson have also been a good centre-back pairing. Thus, their attacking play and defensive resilience are almost as good as most clubs competing for the Top 4 spot, but their midfield is one of the worst in the league. Will Hughes, Luka Milivojevic, and Cheikhou Kouyate cannot hold down the centre of the pitch by themselves and lack technical quality to dictate the play. Regardless, their work rate cannot be questioned and might be what helps them stop a full-firing Spurs side. The Eagles already have their number this season and were brilliant in the 3-0 victory in September. They shall have to be far more careful now, but if they continue playing their style of football and keep in check with the game-plan, one would not be surprised if they come away with all the bragging rights from the London derby on Sunday afternoon.
WHERE AND WHEN?
Venue: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Date: Sunday, 26th December 2021.
Time: 15:00 (BST).
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Jonathan Moss.
Assistant referee: Marc Perry, Timothy Wood.
Fourth official: Robert Jones.
VAR: Craig Pawson
Assistant VAR: Darren Cann.
INJURY NEWS:
Tottenham Hotspur:
After nearly four weeks, Tottenham Hotspur got the chance to play back-to-back games in the same week. Most of their players have recovered from Covid-19, but injuries remain a tad concern. Cristian Romero shall continue to be out, as will Ryan Sessegnon. Sergio Reguilon shall, thus, be the likely option to slot into the left-wing back role. However, apart from the duo, there are no problems in the squad.
The starting XI could be the same side that played Liverpool last week, with Tanguy Ndombele and Dele Alli returning after being benched in mid-week for the Carabao Cup tie. Son Heung-min is also sure to return to replace Lucas Moura as the North London club look to win the London derby.
Crystal Palace:
Patrick Vieira has very few issues going into the game. In fact, Joachim Anderson is set to return from injury to continue his early-season partnership alongside Marc Guehi. Thus, James Tomkins is likely to drop to the bench. Another selection call that the French manager shall have to make is in the goalkeeping department. He could either recall Vincente Guaita or continue with Jack Butland, with both being worthy options. Apart from that, the team is likely to be the same one that drew against Southampton at Selhurst Park 10 days ago.
ANALYSIS:
Will Tottenham need its central midfielders to open up Crystal Palace?
It has not been particularly hard to score goals against Palace this season, but they are a stingy defence, especially with Joachim Anderson returning to the fold. Tottenham may have found success against Liverpool last weekend and broken through West Ham’s defence, but they played on the counter-attack against the Reds, and the Hammers are already depleted at the back. Spurs are yet to take the game to the opposition and make use of the ball tactically. It is fine to use Son Heung-min’s pace against defences that keep a high defensive line, but it will be down to Harry Winks, Dele Alli, and Tanguy Ndombele to break the shackles open. They do have the talent, but the midfielders shall need to be creative, and the attackers will have to be efficient on the night.
Crystal Palace to play Spurs at their own game?
Spurs have used the counter-attack method against most teams under Conte this season. But they are yet to meet a side like Crystal Palace that play more or less like them, albeit they have lesser quality amongst the ranks. However, they carry out their tactics well and are capable of beating the best, evidenced by their victory against Man City in late October. Vieira would know that Tottenham struggle to break teams open, courtesy of which he might use Christian Benteke as an outlet and make Wilfried Zaha, Jordan Ayew, and Conor Gallagher play off him. The latter has been sublime for the Eagles this season, and he shall be hoping to increase his tally against their London rivals on Sunday afternoon.
KEY PLAYERS:
Harry Winks:
The Englishman has hit a rich vein of form under Antonio Conte. He was brilliant against Jurgen Klopp and co and played a crucial role in the mid-week victory as well. Winks is playing much more direct and with far more tenacity than he ever did. He is rarely attempting back-passes or even short ones. He is finding runners and playing inch-perfect balls to them. However, on Sunday, he shall have to ensure again that the passing is crisp and there are few mistakes. Dele Alli and Tanguy Ndombele are likely to push up the pitch, courtesy of which the Englishman shall have to hold his ground. Palace are a threatening team on the counter, and Winks shall have to sniff out the danger and take care of the situation. It looked like he was leaving his boyhood club next month, but if the current performances continue, Conte would be sure to vouch to keep him at the N17 during his tenure.
Conor Gallagher:
The Chelsea loanee has been a massive addition to the Selhurst Park outfit this season. His relentless running, pressing, and calm nature in front of goal has been a blessing for Patrick Vieira. He has an eye for a pass but is equally rugged in a challenge. Spurs are going to attack in numbers on Sunday, because of which the 21-year-old would have to put in the hard yards and assist the attack. Not that he has not pulled it off so elegantly already this season, but he is the driving force behind his French manager’s sound tactics and methods. Alli and Ndombele are going to dominate the midfield battle by hook or by crook. Thus, Gallagher shall have to wait for his chance rather than getting frustrated. Tottenham are covering the most ground this season, and to beat a team of their calibre, Vieira shall need his best player to step up.
PREDICTED LINEUPS
Tottenham Hotspur predicted XI: Hugo Lloris; Davinson Sanchez, Eric Dier, Ben Davies; Emerson Royal, Harry Winks, Tanguy Ndombele, Dele Alli, Sergio Reguilon; Harry Kane, Son Heung-min.
Crystal Palace predicted XI: Vicente Guaita; James Tomkins, Joachim Andersen, Marc Guehi, Tyrick Mitchell; Conor Gallagher, Luka Milivojevic, Cheikhou Kouyate; Jordan Ayew, Christian Benteke, Wilfried Zaha.
