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5 reasons Tottenham will dominate Crystal Palace

By Rucker Haringey

TURIN, ITALY - FEBRUARY 13: Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur shows appreciation to the fans prior to the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 First Leg match between Juventus and Tottenham Hotspur at Allianz Stadium on February 13, 2018 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
TURIN, ITALY - FEBRUARY 13: Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur shows appreciation to the fans prior to the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 First Leg match between Juventus and Tottenham Hotspur at Allianz Stadium on February 13, 2018 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) /
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WEST BROMWICH, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 02: Joel Ward of Crystal Palace wins a header while under pressure from Jose Salomon Rondon of West Bromwich Albion during the Premier League match between West Bromwich Albion and Crystal Palace at The Hawthorns on December 2, 2017 in West Bromwich, England. (Photo by Tony Marshall/Getty Images)
WEST BROMWICH, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 02: Joel Ward of Crystal Palace wins a header while under pressure from Jose Salomon Rondon of West Bromwich Albion during the Premier League match between West Bromwich Albion and Crystal Palace at The Hawthorns on December 2, 2017 in West Bromwich, England. (Photo by Tony Marshall/Getty Images) /

4. Palace’s fullback problem

Crystal Palace have some quality in their starting XI, but it doesn’t reside in either of their fullback positions. Joel Ward and Patrick van Aanholt will both struggle mightily to handle the speed Tottenham deploy on their flanks.

Specifically, look for Lucas Moura and Heung-Min Son to terrorize both Palace fullbacks for the entire match. They may not be wingers in the classical sense, but both have the pace to really threaten Hodgson’s defence down the wing.

If the Palace back four get stretched horizontally it’s going to be a real disaster. If the fullbacks get beaten, it’s going to put a ton of pressure on Hodgson’s central defenders to cover. That could create acres of space for Tottenham’s central attackers.

The real shame for Hodgson and company is they really don’t have any realistic way to address these problem areas. It’s something the club can deal with in the summer, but that won’t provide them any comfort this weekend.

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