Premier League Preview: Tottenham Hotspur vs. Crystal Palace

When: 31st OctoberKickoff: 5:30pm GMT / 1:30pm ET / 10:30am PTWhere: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London

Both managers head into this game under pressure, but after two wins on the bounce Robert de Zerbi seems to have turned the corner with Tottenham. Pierre Sage desperately needed something after three defeats in a row, and a League Cup victory over Fulham in midweek provided some tonic.

But with Palace sitting precariously above the relegation zone, defeat will pile the pressure back on.

Spurs on a Roll

You’d think it had to happen eventually. Two consecutive seasons of Premier League under achievement and finishing 17th signalled a $400 million squad rebuild in the summer under new boss Robert de Zerbi. The effect? Not a lot changed.

Tottenham looked open at the back and clueless up front, and soon sat bottom of the table. But after being winless in their first six games, two wins in a week against Coventry at home and impressively 2-0 away at Chelsea, only Spurs’ second Premier League win there in 37 attempts. Suddenly, supporters began hoping that a corner had been turned.

Four different goalscorers in those two games suggests they are creating chances from different positions, while a rare clean sheet at Stamford Bridge will boost defensive confidence. James Maddison continues to be their most influential creative player, but having missed the start of the season through long term injury is fragile, picking up niggles here and there which is slowing down his return to full time action.

Palace’s Defensive Struggles

Palace have conceded more goals than anyone in the Premier League – 19 in 8 games – and it’s clear to see why they are struggling. Wide open against Newcastle last weekend in a 2-0 defeat, Eagles’ fans are still having nightmares about the 5-0 thrashing by fierce rivals Brighton a fortnight ago, in which they were 3-0 down after 10 minutes. If you haven’t seen it, watch Diego Gomez’ wonder goal after seven minutes from the half way line.

In the Europa League they have got off to a reasonable start, with a win, defeat and draw from their three opening games. But just as it looked like the pressure on boss Pierre Sage would leave defeat at Tottenham with chairman Steve Parish with a decision to make, they pulled out a surprising 1-0 victory away at Fulham in the League Cup on Wednesday. Having lost 5 from 8 in the Premier League, it should at least give Sage a bit of breathing space.

Tottenham Key Players

Omar Marmoush. Marquee signing from Manchester City, where he was understudy to Erling Haaland, he has struggled up top but his first goal for the club in the recent victory over Coventry is sure to give him confidence. He leads Spurs’ attacking stats with12 shots and 4 shots on target in 517 minutes this season

Jan Paul van Hecke. Another summer signing, from Brighton, van Hecke has looked surprisingly vulnerable, but his partnership with Micky van de Ven should, on paper, be one of the more solid in the Premier League and if both can keep fit they should be fine.

James Maddison. Maddison is only just coming back after missing nearly all of last season with an ACL injury. Then he fractured a shoulder at the start of this season. We have seen glimpses of the old magic in the two weeks since he returned, and he undoubtedly is Tottenham’s go-to creative player if he can get properly match fit and have a run of games. But he limped off against Chelsea and is doubtful for this one.

Crystal Palace Key Players

Adam Wharton. Sets the tempo of the midfield and when he’s off it, Palace generally are. The Eagles’ captain looks like he is still adapting to what his new manager wants and there’s plenty more to come from him. Needs to find form if he wants to force his way back into Thomas Tuchel’s England thinking.

Jean-Philippe Mateta. The return from injury of Palace’s main striker cannot be underestimated. Mateta is by far the best front player on the books, even if he’s spent the last 10 months trying to get out of Selhurst Park. If he’s fit the Palace goal threat is significantly higher.

Daichi Kamada. Underrated Japan international, Kamada goes about his business quietly and efficiently, and is having a strong season in a weak team. Palace’s chief creative force so far this season with 3 assists and 7 chances created in 613 minutes.

Head to Head

Palace have won their last two league visits to N17, including a 3–1 win in March 2026, and three of the last five meetings overall. Spurs won the last game at Selhurst Park 1–0 in December 2025. None of the last 11 meetings has been drawn.

Early Team News

Spurs may welcome back Tosin Adarabioyo and Lucas Bergvall, though neither is expected to start. Pedro Porro is back from a hamstring injury and came off the bench at Chelsea. Maddison’s availability is unknown at the time this story was written.

For Palace, Ismaïla Sarr has a groin problem and Jørgen Strand Larsen faces a fitness check; captain Dean Henderson provided the team a huge boost when he returned from injury at Fulham.

Prediction

Spurs have the form, the rest and the home crowd. Palace played 90 minutes on Wednesday, have conceded 19 league goals in eight games and are short of fit forwards with Sarr and Strand Larsen doubtful.

However, Palace have won on their last two visits, Sage’s rotated side defended well at Fulham, and Spurs may well be without Maddison. With Kamada supplying and Mateta returning, Palace should score, so it’s a hard one to call.

If Palace can defend, they can eke out a 1-1. If they revert to type, we’re looking at a fairly comfortable home win for Spurs.