Tottenham vs Crystal Palace: Spurs Target Third Consecutive Premier League Victory as De Zerbi Faces Crucial Test
Tottenham Hotspur welcome Crystal Palace to north London on Saturday evening for an exciting Premier League encounter, with Roberto De Zerbi’s side aiming to secure three consecutive league victories for the first time since February 2025.
Spurs have recently shown signs of improvement after recording back-to-back Premier League wins, easing some of the pressure on De Zerbi following a challenging period.
Those victories have lifted Tottenham to 14th place in the league standings, leaving them three points clear of the relegation zone and just two points away from the top six.
However, Tottenham face a difficult challenge against a Crystal Palace side that have won their last two visits to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The hosts will need another strong performance to maintain their recent progress and continue climbing the table.
Match Preview
De Zerbi appears to be making progress in his efforts to improve Tottenham’s performances after a difficult spell at the club.
Before their recent victories over Coventry and Chelsea, Spurs had managed just three wins in their previous 26 Premier League matches, highlighting the extent of their struggles.
The Italian manager will now be eager to see his players build on those positive results and establish greater consistency as the season progresses.
De Zerbi also has an encouraging record against Crystal Palace, having remained unbeaten in all four of his previous Premier League meetings with the Eagles, recording two victories and two draws.
Nevertheless, Tottenham cannot afford to underestimate their opponents, particularly given Palace’s recent record at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
The visitors arrive in north London looking to improve their league form after suffering five defeats in their first eight Premier League matches under manager Pierre Sage.
Their disappointing 5-0 loss to Brighton & Hove Albion was followed by another setback, a 2-0 defeat at home against Newcastle United.
However, Palace received a much-needed boost on Wednesday when they secured a 1-0 victory over Fulham in the EFL Cup.
That result will provide Sage and his players with renewed confidence as they prepare to face a Tottenham side desperate to extend their winning run.
With both teams having plenty to prove, Saturday’s encounter promises to be an important test for the two managers.
Tottenham vs Crystal Palace: Key Match Statistics
Tottenham will need to overcome some concerning recent statistics if they are to secure all three points.
Spurs have lost their last two home Premier League meetings with Crystal Palace, having previously recorded nine consecutive home victories against the Eagles between the 2015/16 and 2023/24 seasons.
Crystal Palace have won three of their last four Premier League encounters with Tottenham, suffering just one defeat during that period.
Six of Tottenham’s eight Premier League goals this season have been scored during the final 15 minutes of matches.
These figures underline the challenge facing De Zerbi’s team, particularly against a Palace side that has enjoyed considerable success in recent meetings between the clubs.
Tottenham Team News
Tottenham have received some encouraging news ahead of Saturday’s clash, with James Maddison available for selection despite experiencing groin discomfort during their previous match.
De Zerbi has spoken highly of the attacking midfielder, describing him as a special player because of his unique qualities, experience and personality.
However, Maddison has not trained as regularly as expected this week, leaving the Tottenham manager with a decision to make regarding his involvement.
The Italian could decide to include the midfielder in his starting lineup or manage his workload carefully to avoid aggravating the problem.
Destiny Udogie is another player available for selection after recovering from a knee issue. Nevertheless, the defender may have to settle for a place on the bench as he works his way back to full fitness.
When available, Udogie provides Tottenham with an important attacking threat from the left flank.
Unfortunately for Spurs, several players remain unavailable for the upcoming fixture.
Lucas Bergvall, Xavi Simons, Wilson Odobert, Savio, Tosin Adarabioyo and Mykhaylo Mudryk are all expected to miss the encounter through injury or other fitness-related issues.
Meanwhile, Rodrigo Bentancur will be absent as he serves the final match of his three-game suspension.
These absences could limit De Zerbi’s options, making his team selection particularly important as Tottenham look to maintain their recent improvement.
Tottenham Predicted Starting XI vs Crystal Palace
Formation: 4-3-3
Goalkeeper: Antonin Kinsky
Defenders: Pedro Porro, Jean Paul van Hecke, Micky van de Ven, Andy Robertson
Midfielders: Sandro Tonali, Mateus Fernandes, James Maddison
Forwards: Mohammed Kudus, Omar Marmoush, Mathys Tel
Tottenham will hope their predicted starting lineup has enough quality to overcome Crystal Palace and extend their winning streak in the Premier League.
With confidence gradually returning following their recent victories, De Zerbi will be determined to see his players deliver another convincing performance and give supporters further reasons for optimism.
However, Palace’s impressive recent record against Spurs means the hosts will need to be at their best if they are to secure another crucial three points.
“START HIM TONIGHT!” – Tottenham Urged to Unleash Their Best Attacker Since Heung-min Son as De Zerbi Faces Huge Selection Dilemma
