Paul Merson has predicted that Tottenham will open their new stadium with a 2-1 win against Crystal Palace on Wednesday night.
Spurs have not won any of their last five Premier League fixtures, but a return to White Hart Lane could inspire Mauricio Pochettino’s men as they aim to keep hold of their spot in the top-four.
Palace will likely be on a high after beating Huddersfield 2-0 on Saturday, and while Merson believes it will be a tough game for Tottenham, he reckons they will do enough to earn all three points in their first match at their new stadium.
“From a side who were looking to win the Premier League, they are now in a big fight to finish in the top four. They’ve still got to go to Manchester City so you can more than likely take another game off so this is a must-win game,” Merson said on the Sky Sports website.
“I can’t think of a worse game to play as the first at your new stadium. Crystal Palace are one of the best counter-attacking sides about on their day. They are a big threat on the counter away from home.
“This is another hard game for Spurs. They will be kicking themselves about the result at Anfield. There only looked like one winner as the game went on and, in the end, they lost the game. How many times have we said that about Spurs in the last year? I’m just going to go with Tottenham but I would not be surprised if they didn’t win this game.”
OPINION
Tottenham’s players are going to be under an enormous amount of pressure on Wednesday night. Not only do they need to win to stop their current slump in form, they also know that fans will never forget their first game at the new stadium and they have to be victorious in it. If Spurs had won, or even drawn, against Liverpool on Sunday then there would be a bit less pressure on them this week. However their spot in the top-four is under serious threat after a rotten run of domestic form in February and March. If there is a game where Tottenham will buckle under pressure it will be this one, especially after Palace received such a boost in their bid to avoid relegation this season when they beat Huddersfield on Saturday. Merson might be a bit kind to suggest that Tottenham will win this one. It could well be a win for Roy Hodgson and his men.