A low-scoring return to winning ways is how George Pitts sees Tottenham's FA Cup clash at Palace going on Sunday.
Recommended bets
1pt Tottenham to win and under 3.5 total goals at 21/10
For advised bookmakers and each-way terms, visit our transparent tipping record
Crystal Palace v Spurs (1600 kick-off, BT Sport 2)
Tottenham were knocked out of one cup by a London rival on Thursday and will be keen not to make it another when they make the short trip to Crystal Palace on Sunday.
Mauricio Pochettino's side were beaten on penalties by Chelsea in the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg at Stamford Bridge.
They know all about progressing in the FA Cup, though, after reaching the semis last year, losing to Man United. However, injuries are proving to be a problem for the Argentine boss, who has appeared to do a U-turn on his stance on making no January transfers, stating on Friday that the club are now working on some options.
The growing list of absentees helps makes the case for Palace to pull off a result, but the best price of just over 2/1 means it's hardly worth a small stake.
Spurs have done well in this competition in recent years and Pochettino continues to get results from his threadbare squad. They have a good recent record at Selhurst Park, winning their last three visits here while being 1-0 victors in five of the last six meetings.
Palace are still in a fight to avoid relegation and we have seen a number of struggling teams exit the competition early with all eyes on the league table and the feeling is that Spurs will want it more. With the Premier League title just out of their reach for another year, they could do with this cup after going over a decade without silverware now.
With no Harry Kane, Heung-min Son or Dele Alli, this could be another low-scoring clash and the 21/10 price on Spurs to win and under 3.5 total goals is a an attractive one.
Score prediction: Crystal Palace 1-2 Tottenham (Sky Bet odds: 9/1)
Best bet: Tottenham to win and under 3.5 total goals
Opta facts
- Crystal Palace and Spurs last met in the FA Cup in the fifth round in 2015-16, with Palace winning 1-0 at White Hart Lane on their way to reaching the final that season.
- The last six matches between Crystal Palace and Spurs in all competitions have all ended 1-0 (five Spurs wins, one Palace win).
- Since eliminating four Premier League teams on their way to the 2016 final, Crystal Palace have lost their last three FA Cup matches of this kind.
- Spurs are looking to reach the FA Cup fifth round for a fourth consecutive season for the first time since doing so in five seasons in a row between 1978-79 and 1982-83.
- Since winning the competition in 1991, 25 of the 27 teams to knock Spurs out of the FA Cup have been in the top-flight, with the exceptions Leicester City in 2005-06 and Leeds United in 2012-13.
Odds correct at 1900 GMT (26/01/19)
