Three reasons Tottenham feel good about Crystal Palace visit
By Gary Pearson
![Tottenham Hotspur's Portuguese head coach Jose Mourinho looks on during the English Premier League football match between Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur at Craven Cottage in London on March 4, 2021. (Photo by NEIL HALL / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by NEIL HALL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) Tottenham Hotspur's Portuguese head coach Jose Mourinho looks on during the English Premier League football match between Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur at Craven Cottage in London on March 4, 2021. (Photo by NEIL HALL / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by NEIL HALL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/d908aecf359075f31b73271cc3210e7ae35678feeee0f16c3a049aefa3a8eeee.jpg)
1. Other than pride, Palace have nothing to play for
Crystal Palace are nestled in a safe place in the standings. They are 11 points clear of the drop zone and have nothing to worry about where relegation is concerned. Concurrently, it is highly unlikely Palace can challenge for a spot in Europe.
Teams in their position at this time of the season often find it difficult to find the extra drive and motivation needed to continually excel. Palace shouldn’t need any extra motivation when staring down the barrel of a London derby, though it’s not uncommon for a side in their comfortable position to involuntarily take their collective foot off the pedal.
Next. Projected starting 11 for Palace. dark
On the other hand, Spurs still have a solid opportunity at a top four spot. Yes, Chelsea is surging and haven’t lost since Thomas Tuchel took over.
But Spurs can only control their own destiny. They have to win every match to put the pressure on the Blues, which starts tomorrow against Palace. That added motivation should be enough to buoy a Tottenham side looking to win three on the trot in over four months.