Tottenham Hotspur is set to face Crystal Palace in a Premier League match, with manager Ange Postecoglou aiming to maintain his team’s positive momentum. Palace has yet to secure a win this season, while Spurs have recently won two consecutive matches— a 4-1 victory against a London rival and a 1-0 win over AZ Alkmaar in the Europa League, keeping their perfect record in Europe.
Despite midfielder James Maddison’s recent assist in the Europa League, there are suggestions he may be dropped for the Crystal Palace game. Last weekend, Maddison was substituted at halftime against West Ham, after which Spurs scored three goals in just 15 minutes to secure a crucial win. Although Maddison has been performing well alongside Dejan Kulusevski and Yves Bissouma in recent weeks, Postecoglou might opt for a more defensive setup to counter Palace’s 3-4-3 formation.
Maddison’s potential exclusion would be a tough call, given his contribution, but Spurs showed they can still create plenty of attacking opportunities without him. One player likely to step up is Pape Matar Sarr, who replaced Maddison in the second half of the West Ham match. Sarr had a standout performance, completing all of his passes, providing an assist for a goal, and contributing significantly in both attack and defense. His box-to-box qualities bring a balance that could benefit Spurs in a more defensive midfield setup.
Although young talent Mikey Moore impressed in the Europa League with his ball-carrying skills, it is expected that Sarr will be the one to step in for Maddison, especially given his recent form. Sarr’s statistics from the West Ham match highlight his effectiveness—he completed 100% of his passes, won two tackles, and contributed five defensive actions, showcasing his all-around ability on the pitch.
Sarr’s progress under Postecoglou’s management has been notable, and his performance gives the manager a selection dilemma. With his defensive and offensive contributions, Sarr may offer Spurs the midfield strength needed to secure another crucial win and keep their hopes of a top-four finish alivealive.