PREVIEW: Palace host Tottenham as Spurs struggle to get in to top 10

PREVIEW: Palace host Tottenham as Spurs struggle to get in to top 10

Crystal Palace aim to end a four-match winless run as they host Tottenham Hotspur, who are also desperate for points amid suspensions and a challenging schedule.

Crystal Palace enter the clash after a penalty shootout defeat to Arsenal in the Carabao Cup, extending their winless streak to four matches (D1, L3). The Eagles have faced a demanding run, playing their 11th game in a 50-day stretch under Oliver Glasner.

Despite three consecutive home league matches without a win (D1, L2), Palace remain just three points off the top four. Notably, they have won their final league game in each of the last four calendar years, a feat they have never achieved five times in a row.

Tottenham dropped to 14th after a 2-1 defeat to Liverpool, finishing the match with nine men. The team has collected only five points since November (W1, D2, L5), with manager Thomas Frank under pressure to deliver results.

Spurs’ away record remains a positive, with four wins, two draws, and two losses in the league. Upcoming trips to Palace and Brentford are seen as key opportunities to reverse their fortunes.

Last season, Palace secured two league victories over Tottenham without conceding, matching their total from the previous 22 meetings (D3, L17). Recent encounters between both teams have been high-scoring affairs.

Seven of Palace’s last nine matches and nine of Tottenham’s last ten games have featured over 2.5 goals. In ten of Palace’s last 16 Premier League games, there was a 1-0 half-time leader.

Jean-Philippe Mateta has scored seven Premier League goals this season, including one in last year’s fixture. Brennan Johnson has provided three assists in his last three games against Palace.

Palace will be without Chris Richards, Daichi Kamada, and Daniel MuF1oz due to injury, while Tottenham’s Xavi Simons and Cristian Romero are suspended.

Both teams have been involved in matches with high goal totals, making over 2.5 goals a likely outcome. The team scoring first has won seven of Tottenham’s last nine Premier League away games.

This fixture presents a crucial opportunity for both sides to regain momentum as they navigate a congested fixture list and seek vital Premier League points.