Crystal Palace host Tottenham Hotspur at Selhurst Park in a Premier League fixture that arrives at an important moment for both clubs. With the table tightly packed and the festive schedule beginning to stretch squads, this London meeting carries significance beyond local rivalry.
Palace come into the match looking to respond after a difficult recent outing. Their last game in any competition ended in a heavy league defeat away from home, a result that exposed defensive gaps and disrupted a run that had previously shown signs of promise. In league terms, Palace’s recent form across the last six matches has been mixed, with results fluctuating between competitive performances and games that slipped away quickly once momentum turned against them. Home fixtures remain central to their hopes of regaining rhythm.
Tottenham arrive under Thomas Frank having endured a testing spell of their own. Their most recent match was a narrow league defeat that came with disciplinary consequences, leaving them short of options heading into this fixture. Over their last six league games, Spurs have produced a patchy sequence — impressive in spells, but undermined by injuries, suspensions and a lack of continuity. Away from home, managing control has been a particular challenge.
Squad availability is a major theme. Palace manager Oliver Glasner continues to juggle absences, particularly on the right side of his team. Defensive options have been limited by injury, while attacking depth has been reduced further by AFCON call-ups, including Ismaïla Sarr, who remains unavailable. There are also ongoing fitness concerns around several squad players who have been carefully managed rather than rushed back.
Tottenham’s list is longer. Frank is without multiple first-team regulars due to a combination of injuries, suspensions and AFCON duty, most notably Yves Bissouma and Pape Matar Sarr. Defensive depth has also been tested, forcing Spurs to adapt their structure and rely on flexibility rather than familiarity.
Despite those absences, there are still players capable of shaping the contest. For Palace, Jean-Philippe Mateta remains the focal point in attack and has been their most reliable source of goals, particularly at Selhurst Park. Spurs will look to Richarlison for leadership and end product in the final third, especially with creative options reduced.
Tactically, Palace are likely to want the game played on their terms — intense, physical and driven by quick transitions. Spurs, even depleted, will aim to keep the ball when possible and avoid being drawn into a chaotic contest, focusing instead on structure and efficiency.
With both sides carrying recent scars and limited margin for error, this feels like a match where discipline and decision-making will be decisive. Selhurst Park often amplifies pressure, and whichever side handles the emotional swings better may well emerge with the points.
