Opposition briefing: Tottenham Hotspur

Match previews

25 Aug 2024

Crystal Palace welcome Tottenham Hotspur to Selhurst Park on Sunday, 27th October (14:00 GMT) – and before kick-off it’s time to get the lowdown on our latest opponents…

Factfile

Manager: Ange Postecoglou
Current Position: 7th
Nickname: The Lilywhites
Ground: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Founded: 1882 (142 years ago)

What’s the story?

The frustration felt by Tottenham fans could be encapsulated by their two final Premier League matches before the international break. A whirlwind display at Old Trafford, where Manchester United were put to the sword in a result that could have been far more incredible than the scoreline suggests, was followed by a capitulation at Brighton which saw them surrender a two-goal half-time lead.

The Brighton result was described by Ange Postecoglou as the ‘worst since I’ve been here’, and now the manager will hope his players can use it as a learning experience to stamp out the inconsistencies in their performances and put together a winning run that will fire them towards Champions League qualification.

After struggles in front of goal, Brennan Johnson scored in six consecutive matches in September and October to put questions over his place in the side to rest, with new man Dominic Solanke also opening his Spurs account as he gels with his new teammates. If Postecoglou can keep the two firing, while getting Son Heung-Min back to full fitness, he may be onto something good.

The boss

Postecoglou’s journey to the top began with a semi-professional side in his home country of Australia, working his way up via the national side, a spell in Japan and two successful years with Celtic before taking over in north London. His free-flowing style of football has won him plaudits worldwide.

Spurs’ trophy drought is into its 16th year, but Postecoglou is certain he can change things. “Usually in my second season I win things,” he told Sky Sports in a recent interview. “Actually, I’ll correct myself. I don’t usually win things, I always win things. Nothing has changed.”

Boot in both camps

Palace's legendary promotion-winning captain Mile Jedinak became a Selhurst Park hero in 2013, and returns to South London as assistant to countryman Postecoglou.

Record against Palace

Palace have not always enjoyed the strongest record against Tottenham, leading in North London last season through Ebere Eze's fantastic free-kick, before a late turnaround.

At Selhurst Park, they fell to a narrow defeat at Selhurst Park in October despite Jordan Ayew's wonder-goal.

Then again, we'll always have Odsonne Edouard, 28 seconds, Premier League debut – you know the story.

Did you know?

Why Hotspur? Because of 12th century knight Sir Henry Percy, of course, who was nicknamed ‘Hotspur’ by the Scots for his tendency to dig his spurs into his horse while charging into battle during the Hundred Years’ War, and whose family owned the Tottenham Marshes where Spurs first played.

Because spurs (the item) were associated with fighting cockerels, the club adopted the bird on their logo too, and a version of the huge statue that stands atop their stadium today was first crafted by William James Scott, one of the players.

Still a non-league club when they won their first FA Cup title in 1901 – the only club to achieve such a feat – they had sporadic success before the Second World War. Then, future Palace manager Arthur Rowe took over and laid the foundations for Total Football with his ‘push and run’ style of play, winning a first top-flight title in 1951.

Match details

Sunday, 27th October
14:00 GMT
Selhurst Park
Live audio commentary on Palace TV+

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