Spurs should have territorial control against Palace's three-centre-back structure. Palace have a restored central outlet to help them move beyond that pressure. In the Milan derby, the wing-back combinations and quick forward releases give both attacks ways to reach useful space.
Spurs' recent midfield recovery has improved, but their wins have contained modest chance quality against compact opponents. Palace's central numbers can keep receiving lanes crowded, while Mateta provides a target for Pino or Nketiah to join. Henderson has returned to match action, and Sage says the deliberately rested Mateta is ready to start.
Palace's ten cup changes qualify the simple rest-day comparison. Maddison and Udogie are available for Spurs, with their recent training and managed workloads shaping how the creative roles are shared. I expect patient home possession and selective Palace escapes, with substitutions changing the final connection later. That's why I'm siding with Crystal Palace to keep this close.
Inter's Diouf–Thuram combination, Barella's service and corner delivery provide separate routes into Milan's defensive partnerships. Milan can reply through Modric's quick passing, Pulisic's movement and pressure-created recoveries. Inter's Venezia clean sheet included substantial opposing chances, while Milan's Bologna reversal exposed restart and wide-defending problems.
Lautaro remains absent, but Thuram, Esposito and Bonny have already supplied alternatives. Milan lose Tomori after his Bologna appearance, while Rabiot, Gila and Moreira are available for selection with starting readiness still being assessed. The projected alternatives include Hutchinson starting and Moreira contributing later.
I expect the derby's first goal and the subsequent substitutions to bring renewed service into those channels. The scoring routes can continue through wide combinations, quick releases and the next contact after a restart. That's why I'm siding with more goals in AC Milan against Inter.
