With thanks to Declan Mulcahy for his assistance with some of the statistics reproduced here:-

Spurs cup record against Palace is not that distinguished:

FA Cup

1923-24 Ist Rd v Crystal Palace (a) 0-2

1969-70 4th Rd v Crystal Palace (h) 0-0
Replay v Crystal Palace (a) 0-1

1986-87 4th Rd v Crystal Palace (h) 4-0
Mabbutt, C Allen (pen), Claesen, O'Reilly (o.g.)

FL Cup

1980-81 3rd Rd v Crystal Palace (h) 0-0
Replay v Crystal Palace (a) 3-1
after extra time, Villa, Hoddle Crooks
Hoddle was sent off in this game.

Although Palace are in the lower reaches of the First Division, they have won 3 of their last 4 games. Last week, they beat Ipswich at Portman Road, after Ipswich had beaten West Ham away in their previous game. New manager Ian Dowie seems to be inspiring the Palace side to greater things and from their point of view, this game is a chance to lift their confidence and bring more bad times to those at The Lane.

Palace have famously been the instigators of a previous clear-out at Spurs, when after their 1-0 defeat of Spurs in a 4th Round replay in 1970, Bill Nicholson dropped 4 high profile players, including Jimmy Greaves, who never played another game for Spurs (apart from the odd Testimonial).

Andy Johnson (once of Birmingham), and veteran Dougie Freedman have scored freely for Palace this season, and Johnson has scored in each of those recent wins, with 5 goals in all. Dowie has few injury worries, but he cannot play loan keeper Myhre, as Sunderland do not want him cup-ties. Myhre was in goal for Everton at Christmas time 1998, when Chris Armstrong scored a rare hat-trick and Spurs won 4-1.(Read the report here, if you wish)

This match, is just as important to Spurs, of course, as they too want to put their season back on track, and get into winning ways. They will have to do this without Dean Richards, who I suspect has played most of the season half-fit, so no doubt Gary Doherty will take his place. Simon Davies is in the squad, but likely to be on the bench. Darren Anderton has not made it back in time for this one, although no doubt he is being saved for Birmingham next Wednesday in the first of 19 crucial Premiership games.

Will Fredi Kanoute play, or will the club leave him on the bench too, and try to blood Zamora and Postiga for a full game? Michael Brown has formally signed, but is not available till the Liverpool game.

Spurs last played Palace in the 97-98 season, which was another relegation battle for us. We lost at home 1-0 and won 3-1 at their place thanks to goals from Berti, Armstrong and a certain Mr Klinsmann. After that win, Spurs season became very nervous, as they drew 3 and lost 1, before beating Newcastle at home, and Wimbledon at Selhurst Park to secure their Premiership place.As we all know, the magic of a Klinsmann is missing from Spurs this season, although we have seen some classic goals, despite our poor position.

I suspect there will be plenty of tickets available, at decent prices, especially for children. Why not come along and get behind the team? My prediction? I'll go for 3-1 to Spurs.

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