Verdict: Jean-Philippe Mateta over 0.5 shots on target

Best Odds: 1/2

Bookmaker: Luckster

With local bragging rights up for grabs on Sunday afternoon, Crystal Palace will welcome Tottenham to Selhurst Park.

Crystal Palace

Starting with the hosts, suffering penalty shootout heartbreak away at Arsenal earlier in the week as they watched their EFL Cup adventure come to an end, Crystal Palace find themselves at the heart of a recent blip. Putting in what was a nightmare performance last weekend as they fell to a 4-1 drumming at the hands of relegation scrappers Leeds, Oliver Glanser’s men have failed to win any of their previous four appearances across all competitions. Tasting Europa Conference League frustration last week as they eventually had to settle for a 2-2 stalemate at home against Finish outfit KuPS, the former Eintracht Frankfurt boss will have a real headache over his side’s recent defensive issues. Recording just a sole domestic clean sheet over the past month, Palace have also shipped seven goals in their last three showdowns at Selhurst Park.

Crystal Palace Team News

Not featuring since back on December 3rd and still dealing with a knee injury, Crystal Palace will once again be without Colombian defender Daniel Munoz here. Likewise, missing out away at Arsenal earlier in the week, former Lazio star Daichi Kamada is still sidelined with a hamstring issue.

Despite being handed a full rest at the Emirates on Tuesday night, England international Dean Henderson will return between the sticks. Although Jean-Philippe Mateta might have failed to find the net over the past month, Palace’s attacking talisman will spearhead Glasner’s charge in the final third.

Tottenham

Starting with the hosts, while Thomas Frank might have only arrived in north London over the summer, the former Brentford boss has some serious pressure mounting on his shoulders. Last seen falling to a 2-1 loss at home against defending champions Liverpool, Tottenham have come tumbling down the standings and remarkably open Christmas Day sat way down in 14th-place. Coming under even more scrutiny earlier in the month as they slumped to a 3-0 drumming against relegation scrappers Nottingham Forest, Spurs have now won just a quartet of their previous 14 appearances across all competitions – a rut that stems all the way back to September 24th. Marking their return from November’s international break with an infamous 4-1 defeat against arch-rivals Tottenham, Tottenham have failed to win any of their previous five straight showdowns outside of north London (four defeats, one draw).

Tottenham Team News

Both shown respective red cards against Liverpool last weekend, both Cristian Romero and summer recruit Xavi Simons will miss out through suspension here. Likewise, all still dealing with respective injury issues, Spurs will be without the likes of Dejan Kulusevski, Dominic Solanke and ex-Leciester playmaker James Maddison.

Both away at this month’s AFCON, Yves Bissouma and Pape Matar Sarr will not feature over the festive period. Coming off the bench and bagging what turned out to be a consolation strike against Liverpool last time out, Brazilian international Richarlison could be handed a full recall in south London.

Crystal Palace vs Tottenham Key Factors to Consider

• When Crystal Palace and Tottenham last met back on May 11th, the Eagles collected a 2-0 victory in north London.
• Palace have failed to win any of their last four appearances across all competitions – their longest winless rut since the end of October.
• Tottenham have won just a quartet of their previous 14 appearances across all competitions – a rut that stems all the way back to September 24th.
• Spurs have failed to win any of their previous five straight showdowns outside of north London (four defeats, one draw).
• Palace have registered just a single win from any of their previous five Premier League showdowns in south London.

Conclusion

While Crystal Palace might be enduring their longest winless rut since the end of October, Glasner’s side should be smelling the chance to claim a festive boost here. With Spurs continuing to tumble down the table and with the pressure on Frank’s shoulders quickly reaching a boiling point, Tottenham find themselves at the heart of what has become a mounting crisis. Opening Christmas Day sat way down in 14th-place, Sunday’s guests should also be concerned by a worrying recent record against their local rivals. Hit with a 2-0 loss when they welcomed Palace to north London back in May, Frank’s downbeat squad could be asked some serious questions this weekend.

Verdict: Jean-Philippe Mateta over 0.5 shots on target

Best Odds: 1/2

Bookmaker: Luckster