Crystal Palace vs Tottenham Hotspur: Match Preview, Latest Team News and How to Watch | OneFootball

Crystal Palace vs Tottenham: Team News, How to Watch and Match Preview

Crystal Palace return to Premier League action this weekend looking to reset after a bruising cup defeat, with Tottenham arriving at Selhurst Park under mounting pressure. With both sides managing absences and momentum hard to come by, Sunday’s meeting carries significance well beyond three points.

Below is a full breakdown of Crystal Palace team news, how to watch the match live, and what to expect as the year draws to a close in south London.

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Match context and current form

Crystal Palace head into this fixture still feeling the aftershocks of a draining Carabao Cup exit earlier in the week. The Eagles showed resilience to fight back late and force penalties, only to fall short, a result that tested both legs and morale.

League form, however, offers an opportunity for a swift response. Home matches have traditionally provided Palace with a platform to regroup, and Selhurst Park remains a difficult assignment for visiting sides, particularly those low on confidence.

Tottenham’s situation is more complex. A poor run of Premier League results has seen them slide down the table, with performances failing to match expectations under Thomas Frank. Only one win in their last eight league games has left Spurs searching for answers, both tactically and psychologically. The gap between mid-table congestion means a victory could quickly change the narrative, but another defeat would deepen scrutiny.

Crystal Palace team news and injury latest

Crystal Palace will once again have to navigate notable absences. Daichi Kamada and Daniel Muñoz are both sidelined through injury, depriving the side of depth in key areas. Eddie Nketiah remains a doubt after picking up a knock, while Chris Richards is also being assessed ahead of kick-off.

Ismaïla Sarr is unavailable due to international duty at the Africa Cup of Nations, further limiting attacking options. Defensive selection could also be reshaped, with Maxence Lacroix under consideration after a difficult outing in midweek.

Despite the disruption, Palace retain enough continuity to remain competitive, particularly at home. The emphasis is expected to be on organisation, controlled pressing and capitalising on moments rather than sustained dominance.

Tottenham team news and selection issues

Tottenham’s problems are compounded by suspensions and injuries. Xavi Simons and Cristian Romero are both suspended following red cards, while AFCON commitments have removed Yves Bissouma and Pape Matar Sarr from contention.

Injuries have also affected Destiny Udogie, James Maddison, Dominic Solanke and Dejan Kulusevski, leaving Frank short of experience and leadership in several areas of the pitch. Squad rotation has been forced rather than chosen, contributing to inconsistency and a lack of cohesion.

Selection decisions will be shaped as much by availability as strategy, with Spurs likely to prioritise defensive stability after conceding heavily in recent weeks.

How to watch Crystal Palace vs Tottenham live

The match takes place on Sunday, 28 December, with kick-off scheduled for 4.30pm GMT at Selhurst Park.

UK viewers can watch live on Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Main Event, with coverage beginning at 4pm. Live streaming is available via Sky Go for subscribers, allowing fans to follow the action across devices.

Prediction and tactical outlook

This fixture presents Crystal Palace with an opportunity to exploit Tottenham’s fragile confidence. While Palace are dealing with their own absences, the structure and intensity expected at home could tilt the balance.

Tottenham, meanwhile, are still searching for fluency and clarity. Without several first-choice players, the margin for error is slim. If Palace strike early, the atmosphere could quickly turn in their favour.

A disciplined, pragmatic approach from the hosts may be enough to secure a result, particularly if Spurs struggle to impose themselves.