The Daly Brief | Palace vs Spurs, Premier League | OneFootball

"Crystal Palace close out a stand-out year at home, but the Eagles have notable absentees - some crucial to Oliver Glasner’s defined style of play. Meanwhile, with Xavi Simons and Cristian Romero suspended, how will Thomas Frank fill those gaps?"

Rob Daly, official club commentator, presenter and pundit

Missing Muñoz...

Crystal Palace are currently without crucial right wing-back Daniel Muñoz – a player who barely misses a minute, let alone whole games. Glasner was being cautious with the Colombian international by not starting him in the December 7th game at Fulham due to a swollen knee, but three days later the Austrian confirmed, 'we have some bad news on Daniel Muñoz, he has to undergo surgery... so we're missing him for a few weeks'. The 29-year-old won the club’s Players' Player of the Season award in 2024/25 scoring six goals and claiming eight assists while helping his side to 17 clean sheets in 46 games. Muñoz is one of the Premier League’s most industrious runners – hence his value defensively and offensively in Glasner’s 3-4-3. Replacing him isn’t easy.

Repairs down the right...

Summer signing Jaydee Canvot was given a start at right-wing-back at Arsenal in the Carabao Cup before Christmas, but was taken off at half-time having struggled against Gabriel Martinelli. 34-year-old Nathaniel Clyne came on having started three league games in a row since the injury to Muñoz, despite having barely played this season prior to that. Another other issue is Ismaïla Sarr’s absence at AFCON - where he’s playing with Pape Matar Sarr for Senegal. Normally on the right side of the narrow front three, he has the pace to get in behind while also having technical quality to link play and score in tight areas. Eddie Nketiah has filled in, although he too was hooked at the Emirates, in place of Northern Ireland international Justin Devenny. Daichi Kamada is versatile enough to play in there too, having done so for Glasner at Frankfurt, but a hamstring issue means he’s out. Finally, even at right-sided centre-back there is a concern, with Chris Richards taken off on a stretcher in the Carabao Cup, due to a foot injury that required stitches.

Managing Mateta...

Meanwhile, Jean Phillipe-Mateta has had a knee issue, but Glasner insists his big striker is okay to play. "He is coping really well. We have a great medical department. There is no risk at all - we would never take any risk." The France international scored the winner in this fixture last season – a game the Eagles played with great intensity out of possession, pressing Spurs and winning the ball high to create chances. Mateta is Palace’s top scorer this season with nine in all competitions, seven in the Premier League, and the game gives him the chance to go toe-to-toe again with Micky van de Ven. The pair had an epic battle in Spurs' 3-1 home win over the Eagles in March, 2024 – a game which saw van de Ven named man of the match.

Who comes in for Cuti and Xavi?

Cristian Romero’s absence is big, although one imagines Kevin Danso comes in as the readiest replacement into Spurs’ back four. It’s worth noting Radu Drăgușin was back on the bench against Liverpool for the first time since late January following his ACL injury. Elsewhere, Xavi Simons' creativity will be missed after impressive recent performances. Many expected, when the Liverpool team was confirmed, for him to play on the left-wing – but instead Xavi remained in the number 10 role, with Lucas Bergvall operating wide, before his dismissal. Given Palace’s issues down the right, would Thomas Frank be tempted to bring in Wilson Odobert for his direct running and ability to take on defenders? Mathys Tel, Richarlison and Randal Kolo Muani all operate in a similar fashion playing out there, looking to shift inside – while Brennan Johnson offers pace in behind if Spurs foresee there being gaps to exploit.

Last time at Selhurst Park...