Sunday 25th February 2018
Crystal Palace v Tottenham Hotspur 12:00
We conclude week 28 in the Premier League with Crystal Palace, who are struggling at the foot of the table, entertaining Spurs to Selhurst Park on Sunday lunchtime.
With this being the last match of the weekend then Spurs could easily find themselves further behind the likes of Chelsea, Man Utd and Liverpool in the top four race, but will know a win in this game will get them right back in the shake-up.
In contrast, Crystal Palace have had a run of poor results of late and without their main man (Wilf Zaha, injured) they’ve dropped back in the league. They come into week 28 in 15th place, but by the time this game is played they could find themselves even further down the table.
At the start of all the week 28 fixtures, the Eagles are currently 4.33 to be relegated, while Spurs are as short as 1.40 for a top four finish. However, these prices will probably be a lot different by the time this game is played on Sunday lunchtime with most of the other top-flight sides having already been in action.
The match betting ahead of the game sees Spurs as the clear favourites at 1.45, with the draw 4.33 and Palace as big as 7.00 to get all three points.
Palace will get some hope from their earlier meeting with Spurs this season at Wembley as that was a close 1-0 win for Spurs, while last season in this repeat match Tottenham also won by the same score line. In fact, Spurs have won their last three games against Palace 1-0! You can back another Spurs 1-0 win here at 8.00.
So, these are generally tight games. Backed up with 80% of the last 10 head-to-heads going UNDER 2.5 GOALS, so at 2.07 (the second favourite in this market) that appeals as cracking value.
Tottenham have won 5 of their last 6 against Palace though, while with just 1 DRAW in the last 11 clashes then more often than not we get a result one way, or another.
Another option might be to have a look into the ‘Both Teams Not To Score’ market – this bet has rewarded punters in 5 of the last 6 meetings and can be backed at a fair 1.90.
Palace’s midfielder Milivojevic is their top league scorer this campaign with 7 goals, but a lot have been from the penalties, while Harry Kane needs no introduction, and with 23 league goals this term is sure to be popular in the scoring markets as always.
However, the main pick here is for a close game. Spurs have drawn their last 5 away games (all comps) and with the likes of Newport County and Rochdale two of those five sides to earn draws then that should give Palace some hope of getting something from this game.
Under 2.5 goals has been a popular pay-out when these sides meet so the 2.07 (2nd fav in the market) on offer looks decent value to me. We can expect Palace to make life difficult for the visitors with the home support always good at Selhurst Park, especially when one of the bigger teams comes to town.
Best Bet: UNDER 2.5 GOALS @2.07
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Sunday 25th February 2018
Crystal Palace v Tottenham Hotspur 12:00
– Already played this season, Spurs 1-0 Palace
– Last season’s repeat fixture ended, Palace 0-1 Spurs
– Spurs have won the last 3 head-to-heads 1-0
– 8 of the last 10 head-to-heads went UNDER 2.5 GOALS
– Spurs have won 5 of the last 6 head-to-heads
– Both teams DIDN’T score in 5 of the last 6 head-to-heads
– 1 DRAW in the last 11 head-to-heads
– Milivojevic is Palace’s top league scorer this season (7)
– Kane is Spurs’s top league scorer this season (23)