Tottenham Hotspur vs Crystal Palace : prediction, lineups, betting tips, odds and match preview
The Premier League serves up another London derby as Tottenham Hotspur welcome Crystal Palace to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. This fixture arrives at a crucial point in the season with both teams seeking valuable points for their respective campaigns. Spurs continue their push for Champions League qualification while Palace aim to secure their Premier League status. The atmosphere promises to be electric for this Sunday afternoon clash, with the stakes particularly high as we enter the final stretch of the 2024/25 season. Recent meetings between these sides have produced entertaining football with goals and drama aplenty.
Team form analysis and head-to-head record
Tottenham’s recent form
Spurs have endured a bumpy ride lately, with inconsistency plaguing their quest for a top-four finish. Their impressive 2-0 win against Manchester United showcased their attacking potential, but defensive vulnerabilities were exposed in their subsequent defeat to Fulham. The North London side has struggled to maintain momentum, particularly in away fixtures. Their home form provides more encouragement, with the team creating numerous scoring opportunities through their dynamic forward line led by Brennan Johnson.
- Win: 2-0 vs Manchester United (H)
- Loss: 0-2 vs Fulham (A)
- Win: 3-1 vs Ipswich Town (H)
- Draw: 2-2 vs Newcastle United (A)
- Loss: 1-3 vs Arsenal (A)
Crystal Palace’s recent form
Palace have shown remarkable resilience in recent weeks, picking up crucial points against formidable opposition. Their stunning victory over Arsenal demonstrated their counter-attacking prowess, while their solid defensive structure has frustrated many Premier League attacks. The Eagles have particularly excelled in away fixtures, making them dangerous opponents for a Spurs side with known defensive frailties.
- Win: 2-0 vs Fulham (A)
- Win: 1-0 vs Arsenal (H)
- Draw: 1-1 vs Brighton (A)
- Loss: 0-2 vs Manchester City (A)
- Win: 2-1 vs Southampton (H)
Head-to-head statistics
The historical rivalry between these London clubs has typically favored Tottenham, though recent encounters have been more balanced. Palace secured a memorable victory in their last visit to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, highlighting the competitive nature of this fixture. Both teams have demonstrated their scoring capabilities when facing each other, with four of their last five meetings seeing both teams find the net.
- Tottenham 1-2 Crystal Palace (December 2024)
- Crystal Palace 0-2 Tottenham (August 2024)
- Tottenham 3-0 Crystal Palace (March 2024)
- Crystal Palace 1-1 Tottenham (October 2023)
- Tottenham 1-0 Crystal Palace (May 2023)
Injury updates and predicted lineups
Tottenham injury report
Spurs continue to navigate a challenging injury situation that has disrupted their squad rotation options. James Maddison remains doubtful with a persistent calf issue that has limited his creativity in midfield. The absence of key defensive personnel has contributed to their recent instability at the back, forcing tactical adjustments from the manager. Their lineup selection process will be crucial against Palace’s counter-attacking threat.
- James Maddison – Calf (Doubtful)
- Cristian Romero – Hamstring (Out)
- Richarlison – Knee (Doubtful)
- Micky van de Ven – Ankle (Out)
Crystal Palace injury report
Palace have been boosted by several key returns, though they still miss some important squad members. Their defensive unit remains largely intact, providing stability for their counter-attacking game plan. The attacking department has shown impressive depth despite absences, with multiple players stepping up to fill scoring responsibilities when needed.
- Michael Olise – Thigh (Doubtful)
- Cheick Doucouré – Achilles (Out)
- Rob Holding – Calf (Out)
Predicted formations and starting XIs
| Tottenham (4-2-3-1) | Crystal Palace (4-3-3) |
|---|---|
| Vicario; Porro, Davies, Dragusin, Udogie; Bentancur, Sarr; Kulusevski, Johnson, Son; Solanke | Henderson; Munoz, Guéhi, Andersen, Mitchell; Wharton, Lerma, Hughes; Eze, Mateta, Nketiah |
Key players and tactical battles to watch
Key individual matchups
The battle between Son Heung-min and Marc Guéhi promises to be fascinating, with Son’s intelligent movement testing Guéhi’s positional awareness. Eberechi Eze’s creative flair will challenge Tottenham’s midfield discipline, while Brennan Johnson’s direct running could exploit any space behind Palace’s full-backs. Much like other Premier League tactical battles, these individual contests may determine the outcome.
Tactical approach
Tottenham will likely dominate possession, utilizing their technical midfielders to break down Palace’s defensive structure. The visitors will employ a compact defensive shape, seeking to launch rapid counter-attacks through Eze’s creativity and Mateta’s physical presence. Set pieces could prove decisive, with both teams possessing aerial threats in the opposition box. Palace’s disciplined defensive approach has frustrated teams like Arsenal and Manchester City this season.
Players to watch
Brennan Johnson continues his impressive development for Spurs, offering direct running and clinical finishing. For Palace, Jean-Philippe Mateta’s physicality and improved finishing make him a constant threat. Yves Bissouma’s midfield control could be crucial in dictating Tottenham’s tempo, similar to how Brighton’s midfielders control games with their possession.
Match prediction and betting tips
Match prediction
Expect a closely contested affair with moments of quality from both sides. Tottenham’s home advantage should provide an edge, though Palace’s counter-attacking threat will ensure a nervous afternoon for the hosts. Final prediction: Tottenham 2-1 Crystal Palace. Spurs will likely start strongly before Palace grow into the game, creating a tense finale with opportunities at both ends.
Betting odds
The bookmakers favor Tottenham, reflecting their home advantage and superior league position. However, Palace’s recent form suggests potential value in considering the draw or Crystal Palace options. The tight nature of recent encounters makes the goals markets particularly interesting for this fixture.
- Tottenham Win: 1.75
- Draw: 3.60
- Crystal Palace Win: 4.50
- Both Teams to Score: 1.80
- Over 2.5 Goals: 1.95
Value betting tips
Both teams to score represents solid value at 1.80, given both sides’ attacking capabilities and defensive inconsistencies. Consider Son Heung-min as anytime goalscorer at 2.10, reflecting his excellent record in London derbies. Under 2.5 cards might offer value too, as these teams typically produce clean contests despite the derby atmosphere.
