Match Overview
Crystal Palace welcome Tottenham Hotspur to Selhurst Park on Sunday in a London clash with both sides seeking a statement result. Palace carry a mixed but improving run, while Spurs arrive looking to halt a poor away sequence. The hosts won the last league meeting between the pair in May, and home backing could be influential again. Expect a tight contest shaped by pressing, transitions, and moments from key attackers.
- Fixture: Crystal Palace vs Tottenham Hotspur
- Competition: Premier League
- Venue: Selhurst Park
- Date: 28-12-2025
- Kickoff: 16:30 GMT / 16:30 UTC
Predicted Lineups
Crystal Palace
- D. Henderson
- M. Lacroix
- T. Mitchell
- C. Richards
- M. Guéhi
- A. Wharton
- W. Hughes
- J. Lerma
- J. Devenny
- J. Mateta
- Yeremy Pino
Tottenham Hotspur
- G. Vicario
- Pedro Porro
- M. van de Ven
- D. Spence
- C. Romero
- M. Kudus
- R. Bentancur
- X. Simons
- L. Bergvall
- Richarlison
- R. Kolo Muani
Injury & Suspension Report
Crystal Palace
- C. Richards – Foot Injury
- D. Kamada – Hamstring Injury
- I. Sarr – International duty
- D. Muñoz – Knee Injury
- C. Doucouré – Knee Injury
- C. Riad – Knee Injury
- Caleb Kporha – Back Injury
- Rio Cardines – Muscle Injury
Tottenham Hotspur
- D. Solanke – Ankle Injury
- K. Takai – Foot Injury
- Y. Bissouma – International duty
- P. Sarr – International duty
- D. Kulusevski – Knee Injury
- J. Maddison – Knee Injury
- D. Udogie – Muscle Injury
- X. Simons – Red Card
- C. Romero – Red Card
Head-to-Head
The sides share a long history, with Tottenham holding the overall edge: 29 wins to Crystal Palace’s 10, with 12 draws. Recent meetings have tended to be open, averaging close to three goals across the last nine encounters. Palace did win the most recent league meeting in May with a 2-0 result, adding interest to this new chapter at Selhurst Park.
Match Analysis & Prediction
Palace’s recent trend shows a team settling into a clear identity: disciplined pressing, compact spacing, and quick counters. Two wins and a draw in their last five, alongside eight goals in that span, highlight improved attacking rhythm. The 1-4 reverse to Leeds, however, exposed issues when opponents transition quickly through midfield, an area that will need better control and protection in front of the back line.
Mateta’s home form gives Palace a focal point
Jean-Philippe Mateta is central to the hosts’ plan. He has seven league goals this season, with five coming at Selhurst Park, underscoring his influence in familiar surroundings. Service from A. Wharton, W. Hughes, J. Lerma and J. Devenny will be key to supplying early balls into Mateta and Yeremy Pino on breaks. Palace’s challenge has been turning control against similarly ranked teams into clear chances, reflected by only two draws in four such fixtures and a low scoring rate in those games.
Vicario’s away record keeps Spurs in games
Spurs arrive with four defeats and a draw across their last five away matches, though they have still scored six in that run. Richarlison remains a primary threat with seven goals this season, but Tottenham’s recent away production has not consistently translated into points. Guglielmo Vicario’s form is a stabiliser — he has kept clean sheets in half of his 12 away outings — and his shot-stopping could be decisive if Palace build pressure. The away side’s selection picture is also shaped by a number of absences, including red cards noted for X. Simons and C. Romero.
Tactically, Palace will look to compress space and spring forward quickly, targeting early deliveries to Mateta and supporting runners. Tottenham will aim to manage tempo through midfield, seeking moments for Richarlison and R. Kolo Muani while relying on Vicario to anchor them in difficult spells. Given Palace’s home edge and Spurs’ mixed away returns, margins are likely to be fine. Prediction: Draw (1-1).