The Eagles return from the Christmas break for one final game before we bid a fond farewell to a year that has been absolutely golden for everyone involved with the club.
Entering the New Year as FA Cup holders still makes us reach to pinch ourselves, with the memories of that afternoon in May still fresh in the mind providing us all with plenty to celebrate heading into 2026.
A strong campaign so far on all fronts, the Eagles head into the home fixture with Spurs having exited the League Cup in midweek at the hands of their North London rivals.
It was a performance that proved the defeat at Leeds was perhaps that glitch in the matrix as while the visitors were overrun in the opening half, the defensive solidity that we know and love returned. It was just a shame that in a round of perfect spot kicks, Maxence Lacroix was the one that missed in sudden death.
However, there was a lot to take from the performance after navigating a very tricky run of three games in a short space of time.
The fixture against Spurs starts a run of four games, three of which are at Selhurst Park taking on Fulham, Villa which is sandwiched by a long trip to Newcastle.
Oliver Glasner is clearly not happy with how things went in those three games leading into Christmas which included the worst performance of the season up at Leeds.
The Austrian has indicated that much of the last couple of months have been much about playing and then resting with games coming up thick and fast.
The injury to Chris Richards at Arsenal will see him miss the visit of Spurs, but it remains to be season where he will sit out any more. He adds to a growing injury list which already includes Daniel Munoz and Daichi Kamada, three first choice players that Glasner has to do without.
There have been no other injury concerns reported so the squad will be expected to be a similar mix of the remaining available first team squad and talented academy players who have been handed some minutes in recent weeks.
Palace are on a run of two league losses in a row which is something that Glasner will be keen for the players to address in the final game of the year. Spurs come into the game in the same form, having lost to Liverpool and Forest.
In other news, speculation continues on the future of Oliver Glasner after Fabrizio Romano posted on social media on Christmas Day that the Austrian will not be signing a new deal at Selhurst Park. The Palace boss had already said that the season is far to busy to be having conversations about his future, so it is a case of we will have to believe who we want to believe on that one.
🔎 Match Overview
- A London derby with post season implications: Palace sit 8th with 26 points; Spurs are 14th with 22 points.
đź“Š Recent Form
Crystal Palace
- Mixed results: heavy defeats to Leeds (1–4) and Man City (0–3), but recovered with a win over Fulham (2–1).
- Entered the Carabao Cup quarter-final, narrowly losing to Arsenal on penalties, with strong second-half showing.
Tottenham Hotspur
- Inconsistent league form: recent wins over Nottingham Forest (3–0) and Brentford (2–0), a draw at Newcastle (2–2), but losses to Liverpool and Forest previously.
- Suffered two red cards in a home defeat to Liverpool, indicating disciplinary concerns.
🏥 Team News & Availability
Crystal Palace Absentees (approx. 7–8 out):
- Chris Richards (ankle, stitches) – doubtful.
- Daniel Muñoz, Cheick Doucouré, Daichi Kamada, Chadi Riad, Rio Cardines, Caleb Kporha – all out long-term.
- Ismaila Sarr – on AFCON duty.
Tottenham Hotspur Absentees (approx. 9–10):
- Dejan Kulusevski, Dominic Solanke, Destiny Udogie, Kota Takai – all injured.
- James Maddison (ACL) – out for season.
- Yves Bissouma, Pape Matar Sarr – on AFCON duty.
- Xavi Simons (straight red) and Cristian Romero (two yellows) – suspended.
🤝 Head-to-Head
- Historically, Tottenham have dominated: 19 wins to Palace’s 8 in 31 Premier League meetings.
- Recent edge to Palace: they won the last two meetings (May 2025 and October 2024).
- Overall Premier League H2H (2013–2025): Spurs lead 37–15–15.
🎯 Key Factors to Watch
- Defensive Vulnerabilities: Both teams are dealing with injuries and instability at the back. Palace conceded from set-pieces in consecutive games. Spurs also miss key defensive figures.
- Midfield & Discipline: Palace’s midfield reshaped by absences; Spurs suffered two red cards midweek, impacting momentum.
- Set-Pieces: Tottenham’s defenders (Romero & Van de Ven) have contributed goals; Spurs still more dangerous at dead balls.
🔢 Odds & Predictions
- SportingLife suggests:
- Palace to win + Over 2.5 goals (11/4)
- Both teams to score + Over 2.5 goals (11/8)
- Micky van de Ven anytime scorer (10/1).
- Squawka backs Both teams to score (57.9%).
- Compare.bet favors Crystal Palace to win (11/10 Betfair) and Jean‑Philippe Mateta anytime goalscorer (5/4).
- My Football Facts estimates a likely 1–1 draw.
đź” Predicted Lineups
Crystal Palace (3‑4‑2‑1 likely):
- GK: Dean Henderson
- Def: Maxence Lacroix, Marc Guéhi, Jaydee Canavot (in for Richards)
- Midfield/Attack: Adam Wharton, Jefferson Lerma, Tyrick Mitchell, Jean‑Philippe Mateta, Eddie Nketiah, Yéremy Pino
Tottenham (4‑2‑3‑1 likely):
- GK: Guglielmo Vicario
- Def: Pedro Porro, Kevin Danso, Micky van de Ven, Djed Spence
- MID: Rodrigo Bentancur, Lucas Bergvall; Xavi Simons & Romero out, so Archie Gray and Mohammed Kudus/Porro may shift roles
- ST: Randal Kolo Muani or Richarlison
đź“ş Broadcast & Viewing
- TV: Sky Sports Main Event (UK).
- US Streaming: Telemundo, USA Network, NBC Sports App.
âś… Final Take
Expect a tight, high-intensity London derby:
- Palace at home look confident and opportunistic in recent H2H clashes; Spurs are depleted and dented.
- A 1–1 draw is a strong possibility, with live action likely surrounding set-pieces, transitions, and goals from both sides.
- Value picks: Both Teams to Score and over 2.5 goals appear promising.
