Home » Teams » Crystal Palace » [Image] Predicted 4-3-3 Crystal Palace XI to face Tottenham in the FA Cup – can the Eagles upset Spurs?

[Image] Predicted 4-3-3 Crystal Palace XI to face Tottenham in the FA Cup – can the Eagles upset Spurs?

Predicted Crystal Palace line-up to face Tottenham in the FA Cup

While Crystal Palace was on the wrong side of the 4-3 scoreline against Liverpool, the Eagles showed exactly what they can do when players play in their right positions. That’s been Roy Hodgson’s main issue this season – finding someone to consistently score goals, especially given the fact that Luka Milivojevic is their top scorer.

However, against Tottenham, things should get interesting despite the fact that the Eagles haven’t won in their last five games against the North London side. Their last win against Spurs was in the FA Cup back in February 2016, which means that history is on their side.

That combined with the fact that Tottenham are severely depleted does make this clash interesting.

Team News

Christian Bentenke is fit and firing again, which puts him in contention to start but Crystal Palace have other problems. Both Vicente Guaita and Wayne Hennessey are out injured for an unknown period which leaves 39-year-old Julian Speroni as their only fit goalkeeper.

Probable Crystal Palace XI

Formation: 4-3-3

Manager: Roy Hodgson

Julian Speroni (GK)

The 39-year-old did a decent enough job against Liverpool but he did make a few mistakes, which both James Tomkins and Mamadou Sakho will have to keep an eye on.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka (RB)

One of Crystal Palace’s best players this season, the 21-year-old is enjoying a great break-out season and has nailed down the right-back slot.

Julian Speroni

Mamadou Sakho (CB)

Solid since leaving Liverpool for Crystal Palace, the 28-year-old looked weak against a threatening Liverpool front-line and thus, should use the FA Cup to get his mojo back.

James Tomkins (CB)

The former West Ham man scored a good goal against the league leaders and Palace faithful would hope that he can take that into their FA Cup clash against Tottenham.

Patrick van Aanholt (LB)

The Dutchman has created a lot of goals this season for the club, but his form has petered off in recent months and with Hodgson still putting faith in him, things should change.

Luka Milivojevic

Luka Milivojevic (CDM)

Crystal Palace’s top scorer with six goals, the defensive midfielder will hope to add to his tally against Tottenham and given their injury issues, he just might do so.

Max Meyer (CM)

The German international hasn’t shown the Premier League exactly what he can do and maybe a clash against title hopefuls Tottenham is the right game for the real Max Meyer to show up.

Cheikhou Kouyate (CM)

Another holding midfielder, Kouyate has the ability to play further forward and it certainly helps Crystal Palace. It could be crucial against an injury-hit Tottenham.

Wilfried Zaha

Wilfried Zaha (LW)

Crystal Palace and Roy Hodgson keep turning towards their star to deliver and he does, albeit inconsistently. While he has shown flashes of his talent this season, Zaha is yet to deliver a match-winning performance.

Andros Townsend (RW)

He scored an absolute worldie against Manchester City and a tap-in against Liverpool. It’s his chance now to make his former side regret.

Read More: Crystal Palace signing this experienced UCL winner would be a massive statement of intent and Hodgson must do it

Christian Benteke (CF)

15 goals in his first season as an Eagle and fans considered the Liverpool flop as one of their own but since then, the 28-year-old has struggled to make an impact. However, a clash against Tottenham could prove to be just the thing he needs to rediscover his shooting boots.

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