Thursday, March 5, 2026 | Tottenham Hotspur Stadium | 20:00 GMT
The Bets
This is no ordinary London derby. Tottenham Hotspur lifted the Europa League and Crystal Palace triumphed in the FA Cup last May, but fast-forward to the present and the pair are spending the spring trying to distance themselves from a relegation battle. What was supposed to be a season of consolidation for both clubs has turned into something much more harrowing.
Spurs in freefall
The N17 crisis is hard to exaggerate. At risk of setting a new record for their longest Premier League winless run, hosts Tottenham Crystal Palace in their third consecutive London derby, now without a win in 10 top-flight games after Sunday’s 2-1 defeat Fulham.
New manager Igor Tudor he has walked straight into the fire. Just two games into his tenure, the Croatian delivered a scathing assessment of his own team, admitting they are “lacking” in all departments. It’s an honesty that will galvanize or terrify the fan base, possibly both. After West Ham’s win in midweek, Spurs sit just one point above the relegation zone. The Europa League winners ten months ago they are really looking through the trapdoor.
The injury crisis
The situation in the treatment room borders on the absurd. James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski, Lucas Bergvall, Ben Davies, Mohammed Kudus, Rodrigo Bentancur, Wilson Odobert, Destiny Udogie and Djed Spence are injured, and captain Cristian Romero is serving the last game of his suspension. Fans are clamoring for Mathys Tel to start from the first whistle following his positive impact at Craven Cottage, with Richarlison also pushing for a more prominent role. Tudor will need creative solutions just to field a competitive XI.
Palau: Hardly convincing, but improving
Crystal Palace arrive in north London in slightly better health. The Eagles had been on a three-game unbeaten run before the 2-1 defeat at Manchester United, a game in which by Maxence Lacroix The controversial red card played an important role. His suspension here is a real blow, reflecting Spurs’ loss of Romero as a central defender, meaning both sides are without their most important defender.
On the plus side for Palace, they had lost nine consecutive Premier League trips to Tottenham before their 2-0 win at this ground last May, proof that momentum in this game can change quickly.
Defensive horrors ahead?
The numbers suggest the targets are likely. Tottenham have conceded at least two goals in eight consecutive league games and Palace have scored in five of their last six away games. Neither team’s defense inspires confidence, and with Romero and Lacroix absent, the backlines look even more vulnerable than usual.
Key battle: Gallagher against his former club
Conor Gallagher he has scored more Premier League goals against Crystal Palace than any other opponent, four in total. Back in the Premier League after a spell with Atlético de Madrid, he arrives hungry to prove himself again. Against his former club, expect him to be at the heart of the action.
Expected Spurs line-up against Crystal Palace
Expected Spurs line-up (4-2-2-2): Vicario, Porro, Danso, Van de Ven, Souza, Palhinha, Gallagher, Richarlison, Simons, Tel, Kolo Muani
Injured: Kudus, Bergvall, Bentancur, Davies, Udogie, Maddison, Kulusevski, Odobert, Spence
Suspended: Romero
Predicted Crystal Palace line-up (3-4-2-1): Henderson; Canvot, Richards, Riyadh; Muñoz, Wharton, Kamada, Mitchell; Sarr, Johnson; Guessand.
verdict
This is a really crucial game for Tottenham. A home win would ease the pressure and give Tudor his first league win as Spurs manager. But predicting Tottenham will win a Premier League game in 2026 has been almost impossible until now. Palace arrive with more confidence and the psychological advantage of winning this game last season. Expect an open and edgy London derby with goals at both ends, and more drama than any supporter would like.
Prediction: Tottenham 1–2 Crystal Palace
