Crystal Palace will visit a Tottenham side attempting to prove that Roberto De Zerbi has finally changed the club’s fortunes. Spurs have beaten Coventry City and Chelsea in their last two matches, leaving them one victory away from a third successive Premier League win — a sequence they have not achieved for 616 days.
The fixture gives Palace a significant challenge against a Tottenham team showing greater structure and intensity under De Zerbi. Since the Italian took charge in March, only three teams have recorded more high turnovers than Spurs’ 120, while only three have won possession in the final third more often than their total of 72.
Tottenham’s recent league performances have also improved physically. Across their last three outings, they have covered an additional 3.7 kilometres per match compared with their opening five games, completed 12 more sprints per game and recovered the ball in more advanced areas. Their goalscoring efficiency has risen from 2.8 per cent to 14 per cent during that comparison.
Palace will also encounter a Spurs defence that limited Chelsea to seven shots and 31 per cent possession in last weekend’s win, conceding chances worth 0.47 expected goals. Only Arsenal have allowed a lower expected-goals figure than Tottenham since De Zerbi’s arrival.
Victory over Palace would move Spurs into the Premier League’s top half and offer De Zerbi evidence that the club’s improvement can be sustained. The match will be shown live on Sky Sports Premier League on Saturday, with kick-off scheduled for 5.30pm.
