Crystal Palace Player to Watch: Emmanuel AdebayorIt has been hard to take your eyes off Adebayor since he signed for Crystal Palace. At Swansea City he gave away the free-kick that led to former Tottenham team-mate Gylfi Sigurdsson opening the scoring. A week later he scored his first goal for his new club—an excellent looping header to level against Watford. Emmanuel Adebayor heads in Crystal Palace's equaliser against Watford. Sadly for the new Eagles player, his side would lose 2-1. IAN KINGTON/Getty ImagesAhead of the striker’s return to north London following a convoluted exit, it has been no surprise to see him dominate pre-match discussion.
Spurs have room to manoeuvre in attacking midfield. Erik Lamela may get the reward for his Man City cameo illness denied him on Thursday. Dele Alli and Christian Eriksen are listed in the above team selection but one or both could be kept out with an eye on the return game with Fiorentina. In which case Nacer Chadli and Heung-Min Son lead the alternate options.
"We were in a good position two months ago and we’re not in a bad position now, but with the run of results we've had, it doesn’t look great. "Palace took a first-half lead against Spurs at Selhurst Park but were then the victims of an irresistible comeback. GLYN KIRK/Getty ImagesDate: Sunday, February 21Time: 3 p. m. GMT/10 a. ETVenue: White Hart Lane, LondonTV Info: No live UK broadcast, highlights from 10:30 p. on BBC One/Fox Sports Net (U. S. only)Live Stream: No UK stream/Fox Soccer 2GO (U. only)Ticket Information: Home and away allocations both sold out. Form LinesLast Five ResultsTottenham HotspurCrystal PalaceEuropa League, February 18: Fiorentina (A)—Draw: 1-1Premier League, February 13: Watford (H)—Loss: 1-2Premier League, February 14: Manchester City (A)—Win: 1-2Premier League, February 6: Swansea City (A)—Draw: 1-1Premier League, February 6: Watford (H)—Win: 1-0Premier League, February 2: Bournemouth (H)—Loss: 1-2Premier League, February 2: Norwich City (A)—Win: 0-3FA Cup Fourth Round, January 30: Stoke City (H)—Win: 1-0FA Cup Fourth Round, January 30: Colchester United (A)—Win: 1-4Premier League, January 23: Tottenham Hotspur (H)—Loss: 1-3Both clubs' official websitesTeam NewsTottenham Hotspur @SpursOfficialICYMI: A reminder of the team news ahead of tomorrow's FA Cup clash against @CPFC - https://t.
Linchpin Yohan Cabaye starting is a must as they look to generate some positive momentum. Mile Jedinak had a particularly bad day against Watford (notably conceding a penalty), but will give the team some midfield bite. Crystal Palace could do with Mile Jedinak imposing himself against Tottenham in a more successful way than he did at Watford. Julian Finney/Getty ImagesWilfried Zaha is another all-but-guaranteed starter. He did well against Spurs on the right last time, but his second-half stint on the opposite flank against the Hornets gives Pardew something to think about. If the manager favours the former approach, Jordan Mutch may be back in left midfield.
Be it his reflections of life at Spurs—still likes Pochettino, not so keen on chairman Daniel Levy—per the Guardian's David Hytner. Or Pardew talking up his potential contribution back at the Lane. "He is highly motivated for this game, and he is highly motivated to do well for Palace, " the Eagles boss said, per their official website. Tottenham saw Adebayor's best and worst in his four years with them.
Expect a few of those to be reversed. If he plays, will Eric Dier start in midfield or defence for Tottenham? Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty ImagesMichel Vorm is one who will play two matches in a row. Lloris is injured, but the Dutchman may have carried on his FA Cup deputising anyway. The back four that ultimately kept City out could be selected again—Danny Rose and Kyle Walker back after being rested on Thursday and either side of de-facto centre-back duo Toby Alderweireld and Kevin Wimmer. In front of them in central midfield, Mousa Dembele and Eric Dier may well return too after both were substitutes midweek (though, do not rule out Dier being used in central defence if Pochettino wants to hand Alderweireld or Wimmer a break).
Heung-Min Son scored Tottenham's winner against Crystal Palace in their last meeting at White Hart Lane. Ian Walton/Getty Images"It would be exciting to go to the next round because that would mean we go to the quarter-final, and that’s important for the club and the players, " Pochettino said to Tottenham's official website. For Crystal Palace, their FA Cup run has provided a welcome break for them. Without a league win in 2016 so far, boss Alan Pardew is eager for his team to secure a momentum-shifting result. "We need to stand up, stick together as a team and try to grind out the win that will allow us to turn that corner, " he said in his pre-match press conference, per the Eagles Twitter page.
Dele Alli is congratulated after his wonder goal gave Spurs the lead at Palace last month. Clive Rose/Getty ImagesUp top, Harry Kane will almost certainly be back in the starting XI after a bench role in Europe. Going by his selections for Crystal Palace's preceding FA Cup wins over Southampton and Stoke City, Pardew may opt for consistency in his lineup on Sunday. That should mean Wayne Hennessey in goal with the only change to the defence being Martin Kelly coming in at left-back for the suspended Souare. Bolasie and Ledley will make their way back into the team at some point. If this weekend proves too soon for starting roles at least, the Eagles midfield and attack could closely resemble that which started last week.
@CPFCTEAM NEWS: All the latest news on injuries and suspension ahead of our game @SpursOfficial https://t. co/lEXikyOv42 https://t. co/nz9K8I9GOBCrystal Palace could welcome back Yannick Bolasie after the winger returned to full training following a hip injury. Dwight Gayle and Joe Ledley are also in contention. Pape Souare is suspended after his sending off in the loss to Watford. James McArthur and Jason Puncheon are both injured. Predicted LineupsCredit: Bleacher Report Formation BuilderPochettino made six changes between Tottenham's win over Manchester City last weekend and the trip to Italy.