Tottenham Hotspur – Crystal Palace: Preview
We count the predictions for the match between Tottenham Hotspur and Crystal Palace in the context of the ninth round of the 2026/27 Premier League. "Tottenham" added after a difficult stretch, and "Crystal Palace" has just taken a break in the cup, but after the last away win they still carry the trail of league problems.
Key points
Tottenham Hotspur
1. "Tottenham" finally found the rhythm
The Londoners arrive at the home match after two consecutive league victories. First, Roberto De Zerbi’s side faced "Coventry" — 3:1, and then they beat "Chelsea" on the road 2:0. Before that there was a 1:1 draw with "Manchester United", won in a tough match with elimination. After the previous difficult phase, these results significantly change the mood around the team, but it’s too early to relax: now they must confirm progress against a rival that recently knocked "Fulham" out of the League Cup.
2. Key players return, but the dressing room isn’t empty
Tottenham’s squad situation remains complicated. James Maddison, who recently returned to the starting XI after a long absence, had to leave the field in the match against "Chelsea" due to discomfort. Rodrigo Bentancur misses the game due to suspension, and Savić, Lucas Bergvall, Wilson Odobert and Havi Simmons are among the unavailable players. At the same time, Djan Kulyushvsky is gradually returning after knee problems, and Pedro Porro is already available again.
3. The hosts have a habit of closing out One of the curiosities of the current "Tottenham" is late goals. Six of the team’s eight league goals so far came in the last fifteen minutes, and the average goal time was around the 74th minute. The win over "Chelsea" fit well into this trend: the score opened only in the 77th minute after a goalkeeper own goal, and Matias Tel sealed the result with an impressive solo in the 87th.
Crystal Palace
1. The cup win does not erase problems "Crystal Palace" heads north of London after beating "Fulham" in the League Cup — 1:0. The only goal was scored by Eddie Nketia, who sealed the pass of Oscar Miguez on the inside post. The result took the team to the quarter‑finals and was a pleasant break after two painful league defeats: first the Londoners lost to "Brighton" 0:5, and then they lost at home to "Newcastle" — 0:2. In the Champions League between these matches there was a 2:2 draw with "Besiktas".
2. The squad needs freshness, and the leaders need clarity Before the London derby, "Crystal Palace" has several squad issues. Ismaila Sarri is recovering from a thigh injury, Takahiro Tomiyasu suffers from Achilles tendon problems, and Jorgen Strand Larsen has ankle issues. Quinten Timber is also among the injured players. At the same time, goalkeeper Din Henderson returned to the lineup and led the cup meeting with "Fulham", where he saved the team on several occasions, even after a dangerous close-range shot.
3. The defence cannot afford another failure League figures underline the main weakness of "Crystal Palace": after eight rounds, the team has conceded 19 goals — more than any other club in the league. The devastating 0:5 loss to "Brighton" and the home defeat 0:2 to "Newcastle" confirmed that the problems are not limited to a single match. However, the cup win over "Fulham" showed another side of the visitors: the defenders resisted prolonged pressure, and Din Henderson helped keep the clean sheet.
Estimated lineups
4-2-3-1
3-4-3
(The table is omitted for brevity)
Betting on the trend
In seven of the last ten meetings, at least one team did not score. Bet: OZS — not 2.11. In four of the last five encounters, no more than two goals were scored. Bet: TM 2.5 in the first half for 2.39.
Prediction
Tottenham Hotspur vs Crystal Palace
31.10.2026 21:30
"Tottenham" arrives at the game after victories over "Coventry" and "Chelsea", and the draw with "Manchester United" showed that the team is regaining confidence. However, squad losses prevent an ideal lineup: Rodrigo Bentancur is suspended, James Maddison left the field due to discomfort. At the same time, the hosts tend to increase the tempo towards the end — six of eight league goals came in the last fifteen minutes. Against "Crystal Palace" this trait can be especially useful: the visitors have conceded 19 goals in eight rounds and still leave too much space.
"Palace" arrives without reason for optimism: the win over "Fulham" took them to the League Cup quarter‑finals, and Din Henderson returned to the goal and helped keep the clean sheet. But this success still does not cover the defeats to "Brighton" and "Newcastle" with a total of 0:7, and doubts about the squad around Ismaila Sarri, Takahiro Tomiyasu and Jorgen Strand Larsen complicate preparation. "Tottenham" seems more convincing in the current phase, but it is important not to delay in finalising the moments.
Prediction: 2-0
