BBC football pundit Mark Lawrenson has predicted that Tottenham Hotspur will kick off their Premier League campaign with victory against Crystal Palace.
Both sides meet in the early kick-off on Sunday at Selhurst Park with Spurs likely to start with new summer signings Paulinho, Roberto Soldado and Nacer Chadli.
It’ll be important that Spurs get off the mark with all three points against the Premier League newcomers if we’re to look back at the end of the campaign on whether we have Champions League football, or not.
Lawro told BBC Sport Online: ” In lots of ways, Palace under Ian Holloway in the Premier League remind me of Blackpool under Ian Holloway in the Premier League – they are going to look to get lots of players forward and score lots of goals. They will probably concede lots too, but it is going to be fun to watch them!
“Palace will have a go at teams, starting with Spurs on Sunday, but I cannot help but feel it will end up with the same outcome as when Blackpool had their season in the top flight in 2010-11, which was relegation.
“If they keep hold of Gareth Bale, then Tottenham will push Arsenal all the way for fourth-place again. Will they keep him? Well, I am not sure Real Madrid have got enough money to buy him, or if they actually need him that badly.
“If Bale stays, then that will be a big boost but Spurs have already strengthened their squad and spent a lot of money on Paulinho from Corinthians and Roberto Soldado from Valencia.”
“Lawro’s prediction: 1-2.”
