Crystal Palace vs Tottenham: Break the Selhurst Curse

Both have a lot to worry about. 8th-placed Crystal Palace is on a 3-game winless streak at home, and 14th-placed Tottenham has failed to win 8 out of 10 away games. In this London derby at Selhurst Park on December 28th, who will break the silence first?

Crystal Palace (8th)

• ●Season Record: 17 games
• ●Goals conceded: 19 goals (1.12 goals per game) / Goal difference: +2
• ●Last 6 games: 3 wins, 1 draw, 2 losses
• ●Average goals scored: 1.5 goals / Average goals conceded: 1.67 goals
• ●Last 3 home games: 0 wins (only 1 point earned)
• ●Home average goals scored: 1 goal / Home average goals conceded: 2.33 goals
• ●Last 36 games: 81% undefeated
• ●Last 12 league home games: 83% undefeated

Palace is strange. Overall, they are undefeated in 81% of 36 games, but they haven't won in the last 3 home games. They are shaky, conceding 2.33 goals per game. Still, their defense is one of the strongest in the league. Conceding 19 goals in the season is only 1.12 goals per game. The record of being undefeated in 12 out of 15 home games still stands.

Tottenham (14th)

• ●Season Record: 6 wins, 4 draws, 7 losses (17 games)
• ●Goals scored: 26 goals (1.53 goals per game) / Goals conceded: 1.35 goals per game / Goal difference: +3
• ●Last 6 games: 2 wins, 1 draw, 3 losses
• ●Average goals scored: 1.5 goals / Average goals conceded: 1.5 goals
• ●Last 10 away games: 8 winless games (80%)
• ●Last 8 away games: 50% losses
• ●Last 10 league games: 80% winless
• ●Last 16 games: Half losses

Tottenham is in serious trouble. 14th place, who would have predicted that at the beginning of the season? They haven't won 80% of their last 10 league games. It's even worse away from home. 8 out of 10 games are winless, and half of the 8 games are losses. They have attacking power. They are scoring 1.53 goals per game. The problem is defense and mentality.

Looking at the last 5 games at Selhurst Park:

• ●Palace: 2 wins, 1 draw, 2 losses
• ●Last 4 games: Palace 2 wins

Palace has been playing well against Tottenham recently. They have won 2 out of 4 games. However, we must also remember that Palace has lost by 2 or more goals in 40% of the total 15 games. When Tottenham explodes, they really explode.

Palace's Home Counterattack

Oliver Glasner will have a lot to worry about. They are on a 3-game winless streak at home. They are likely to play in a 3-4-3 or 3-4-2-1 formation.

Mateta and Nketiah will play up front, and Pino will try to break through on the flanks. Kamada needs to provide creative passes in midfield. Wharton needs to stop Tottenham's attack as a defensive midfielder.

Defense is Palace's strength. They are only conceding 1.12 goals per game this season. Lacroix and Guehi will protect the center, and Henderson will be in charge of the goal. They have a clean sheet in 43% of their last 7 home Premier League games.

Tottenham's Away Challenge

Thomas Frank is also desperate. They have failed to win 8 out of 10 away games. They are likely to play aggressively in a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 formation.

Richarlison will play as a lone striker, and Kudus and Kolo Muani will move on the flanks and in the center. Bentancur and Gray will be in charge of midfield. The attacking power itself is not a problem. They are a team that scores 1.53 goals per game.

The problem is the away mentality. The number of 8 winless games out of 10 will be a burden to the players. If they concede the first goal, their mentality is likely to be shaken.

1. Palace's Defense vs Tottenham's Attack

Palace is a team that only concedes 1.12 goals per game. Tottenham is a team that scores 1.53 goals. This confrontation is key. Guehi and Lacroix need to stop Richarlison. If Tottenham breaks through, goals will explode, and if Palace holds on, it will be a low score.

2. Home Jinx vs Away Jinx

Both have a jinx. Palace is on a 3-game winless streak at home, and Tottenham is on an 8-game winless streak out of 10 away games. The key is who breaks the jinx first. The first goal will play a decisive role in the psychological warfare.

3. Mateta's Finishing

Mateta is the key to this game. He is the most threatening player in Palace's attack. Danso and Davies need to stop Mateta, but it won't be easy in the physical battle. If Mateta scores a goal, Palace will be at an advantage.

Palace Home Trends

• ●Last 36 games: 81% undefeated
• ●Last 15 league home games: 12 undefeated games (80%)
• ●Last 12 league home games: 83% undefeated
• ●Last 12 league home games: 50% draws
• ●Last 7 home PL clean sheets: 43%
• ●But last 3 home games: Winless

Tottenham Trends

• ●Last 10 league games: 80% winless
• ●Last 16 games: 50% losses (8 losses)
• ●Last 10 away games: 80% winless
• ●Last 8 away games: 50% losses
• ●Last 25 away games: Only 36% lost by 2 or more goals

Palace doesn't lose easily at home, but they haven't been winning recently. Tottenham almost never wins away from home. Both have problems, so it's bound to be a close game.

Crystal Palace (3-4-3)

• ●GK: Henderson
• ●DF: Richards, Lacroix, Guehi
• ●MF: Clyne, Wharton, Kamada, Mitchell
• ●FW: Nketiah, Pino, Mateta

Tottenham (4-3-3)

• ●GK: Vicario
• ●DF: Porro, Danso, Davies, Spence
• ●MF: Bentancur, Gray, Kudus, Odobèr, Kolo Muani
• ●FW: Richarlison

Predicted Score: Crystal Palace 2-1 Tottenham

Palace wins. The probability is 37%.

Palace will dominate the game at home. Their defense is so strong. Mateta will score the first goal in the first half, and Tottenham will chase. Tottenham also has attacking power, so they can score an equalizer.

However, the most realistic scenario is that Palace will score the winning goal in the second half and end the game 2-1. Over 2.5 goals is likely to occur. Both teams have scoring ability, and Tottenham's defense is especially shaky away from home.

It will be a difficult game for Tottenham fans. To break the record of 8 winless games out of 10 away games, they need to get results in stadiums like this, but it doesn't seem easy to break through Palace's defense.

Palace fans will be able to break their 3-game winless streak at home this time. Tottenham is so weak away from home. The atmosphere at Selhurst Park will give strength to the Palace players.

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