Ange Postecoglou insists Tottenham must focus on themselves heading into the north London derby with Arsenal, rather than on denting their rivals' Premier League title hopes.
With four matches remaining, the Gunners are a point clear at the summit from reigning champions Manchester City, who still have a game in hand on Mikel Arteta's side in second place.
While Arsenal look to stay very much in the hunt for a first league crown in 20 years, fifth-place Tottenham will aim to reduce their six-point deficit to fourth-place Aston Villa, on whom they have two games in hand.
Spurs are winless in the last three north London derbies - winning just one of the most recent six - though they twice came from behind to earn a point in September's reverse fixture at the Emirates Stadium.
And Postecoglou has his sights firmly set on beating his side's rivals, and says his players are not driven by the prospect of thwarting their opponents' title bid.
"Not in terms of that as a motivation," he said when asked if he would like to dent Arsenal's title hopes.
"I understand the importance of winning against your traditional rival. I never believe your motivation should revolve around the demise of somebody else.
"Your motivation should be about yourself. We can win on Sunday, but it doesn't mean we are title contenders this year. I want to win because I want us to progress. I want us to be in a position fighting for the title.
"If that's your kind of measure, always peering over the back fence to see what your neighbour's building, you could both have the worst houses in the street because everyone else is building beautiful places, and you're looking over the back fence."
Resurgent Crystal Palace have faith in Glasner project, says Munoz
Crystal Palace defender Daniel Munoz believes the Eagles are beginning to hit the levels they expected to reach under new boss Oliver Glasner, as they look to continue their strong form against Wolves on Saturday.
Palace are one of the form teams in the Premier League, with Monday's 4-0 rout of Manchester United making it four wins and one draw from their last five matches.
Michael Olise netted twice as Palace demolished the Red Devils at Selhurst Park, recording their biggest league win over United since they managed a 5-0 success back in December 1972.
Palace can leapfrog Fulham and Wolves into 12th in the table with a victory on Saturday, and right-back Munoz says confidence is high within the squad.
"It was a very special win for all of us. Everyone is happy – the players, the fans, our families," Munoz said, reflecting on Monday's game.
"It was a great game. The team is getting to the level we all want and that is reflected on the pitch.
"I think the dressing room has started to believe. I think you can feel that belief from the new coach."
While Palace are ending a middling campaign on a high, Wolves have seen a fine season fizzle out somewhat, their European hopes fading amid a spate of injuries to key attackers.
Gary O'Neil's side will likely need to beat Palace to keep hopes of a top-half finish alive, and star forward Matheus Cunha says a strong finish will also help to build momentum for 2024-25.
"I think six points would be very important," Cunha said, looking ahead to Wolves' final two games.
"It's hard, we play Liverpool and an important game against Crystal Palace at home – we have around the same points, so we need to play and get three points and keep focused.
"We've done an unbelievable season, but we cannot finish with a bad feeling. We need to win to make it feel like a good season and keep going for the next one."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Wolves – Hwang Hee-chan
Following goals against Luton Town and Manchester City in his last two games, Hwang is looking to score in three consecutive Premier League matches for the first time.
He has 12 goals overall this season, with only Raul Jimenez netting more in a single Premier League campaign for Wolves (13 in 2018-19, 17 in 2019-20).
Crystal Palace – Jean-Philippe Mateta
Since Glasner's first Premier League game in charge of Palace on February 24, only Cole Palmer (11) and Alexander Isak (10) have scored more goals in the competition than Mateta (nine).
He has scored six goals in his last six league appearances, and with Olise and Eberechi Eze providing him with service, he should get plenty of chances at Molineux.
MATCH PREDICTION – DRAW
Wolves have lost five of their last six Premier League games against Palace, including a 3-2 defeat at Selhurst Park in September's reverse fixture. However, the one exception was a 2-0 win in this exact fixture last campaign.
Palace have won 55 per cent of their Premier League games against Wolves (6/11), only managing a better ratio against Stoke City (70 per cent, 7/10) among teams they have faced at least 10 times in the competition.
However, with little to play for, it would be no surprise to see the spoils shared at Molineux; Wolves have not won their final home league game in any of the last three seasons (two draws, one defeat), having done so in six of their previous seven campaigns.
The Eagles, meanwhile, have not won their final away league game in any of the last four seasons, drawing one and losing three since triumphing 3-2 at Cardiff City in 2019.
Only bottom club Sheffield United (16) have scored fewer away goals in the Premier League than Palace (17) this season, so a repeat of Monday's free-flowing display may not be on the cards.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Wolves – 36.9%
Crystal Palace 33.1%
Draw – 30%
Atlanta United v D.C. United: Pineda hoping dominant US Open Cup win breeds confidence
Gonzalo Pineda hopes his Atlanta United side's 3-0 win over the Charlotte Independence in the US Open Cup on Tuesday gives them confidence after a tricky recent run.
Atlanta had gone five MLS games without a win prior to Tuesday's victory, leaving them 10th in the Eastern Conference after 10 matches.
However, with his side now heading into a home game against D.C. United off the back of a dominant display, Pineda is hoping that will spur his players onto better things in the league.
"When you win and have a solid performance like we did today, that brings confidence to the players," Pineda told reporters.
"I think at times there are certain games like this that can be a game changer or system changer."
Meanwhile, D.C. have only won one of their last five outings themselves and are just two points and a place above Atlanta having played a game more.
D.C. appeared to be on their way to victory against the Philadelphia Union last weekend, but they let a two-goal lead slip to instead be held to a draw.
Despite letting the Union escape with a point, D.C. head coach Troy Lesesne believes it was still an impressive showing.
"It may have been our best performance of the year," Lesesne said. "I'm very proud of what we put together.
"At the end of the season, this will be a point against a really good side."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Atlanta United – Giorgos Giakoumakis
Giakoumakis attempted six shots against Minnesota United last weekend with all of them coming from inside the box. Giakoumakis has averaged 4.1 shots in the box per 90 minutes this season, the highest rate in MLS (min. 400 minutes), and he will be hoping to add to his impressive tally of five goals in seven MLS appearances this Saturday.
D.C. United – Christian Benteke
Benteke has already netted eight MLS goals so far this season and is very much on course to beat his output of 14 that he managed last term. He is a constant threat in attack for D.C., and Atlanta will have to keep a watchful eye on the former Liverpool man.
MATCH PREDICTION – ATLANTA WIN
Atlanta have suffered consecutive regular season home losses for the first time since July 2021. This is only the club's fourth two-match home losing streak in regular season play as they've never lost three in a row at home.
Meanwhile, D.C. lost a two-goal lead in their 2-2 draw with the Union. D.C. have dropped 12 points from winning positions this season, tied for the second most in the league this season (Sporting Kansas City – 14).
D.C. are winless in 10 straight away matches in all competitions dating back to early August, and Atlanta could extend that poor run by taking the three points on Saturday.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Atlanta: 55.2%
D.C.: 19.8%
Draw: 25%
Former Barbados midfielder Kent Hall takes over as head coach of Barbados senior men’s national team
Former Barbados midfielder, Kent Hall, has taken over as head coach of the Barbados senior men’s national football team, the Barbados Football Association announced on Thursday.
The 45-year-old represented Barbados in 17 matches from 2003-2006 and previously served as an assistant coach for the national team as well as head coach of the Under-20 team.
Hall takes over from BFA technical director and former Wigan Athletic and Crystal Palace defender Emmerson Boyce, who also made 12 appearances for the Bajan Tridents.
Boyce took charge of the final two matches of Barbados’ 2023–2024 Concacaf Nations League campaign versus Montserrat and Nicaragua.
They lost 0-4 to Nicaragua at home on November 17 before being beaten 4-2 in Montserrat on November 20.
The Tridents are gearing up for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Curacao on Wednesday, June 5, 2024 and Sunday, June 9, 2024.
They have been drawn in Group A of League C of the 2024/2025 Concacaf Nations League and will take on Bahamas and US Virgin Islands in September.
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