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Can Igor Tudor secure his first victory as Spurs boss in this high-stakes capital clash? Read on for all our free predictions and betting tips.
Read Rationale ▾
Tottenham’s recent defensive record at home is poor, with both teams scoring in their last six matches at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Crystal Palace arrive having found the net in ten consecutive fixtures, making this a statistically strong selection for a high-event London derby encounter.
Read Rationale ▾
With Tottenham winless in 2026 and Tudor admitting the side is lacking, a cagey derby is expected. Both teams average first goals late in the half, and Palace’s defensive structure coupled with Spurs’ home goal streak suggests a competitive stalemate is a very plausible outcome.
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Spurs chase a first league win of 2026 as Palace arrive with threat, tempo and goals.
Tottenham vs Crystal Palace — bet365 Market Snapshot
Swipe through key markets with illustrative probabilities and sample bet365 odds based on our match analysis.
Spurs have the ball more but are winless in 2026, making their short price against a dangerous Palace side a significant talking point.
Spurs’ home chaos leads to high-event matches, with both teams scoring in six straight, supporting a leaning toward more goals.
Given Spurs are winless in 2026 and Palace have scored in ten straight, the 1-1 draw is a highly probable outcome.
Palace average 19.0 aerial duels compared to Spurs’ 14.5, suggesting the visitors will dominate high balls and set-piece scenarios.
can Tudor’s Spurs stop the slide in this London derby?
- Winless Weight: Tottenham are without a Premier League win in 10 straight matches and remain the only side yet to win a league game in 2026.
- Home Chaos: Both teams have scored in all of Tottenham’s last six Premier League home games, a streak that screams momentum swings and late drama.
- Palace Always Land a Punch: Crystal Palace have scored at least one goal in 10 consecutive matches in all competitions, even when results wobble.
Aerial Combat: Duels Won per Match
Palace’s physical approach in the air contrasts sharply with Tottenham’s struggles in high-ball scenarios.
Their directness and crossing volume allow them to dominate second balls and set-piece opportunities.
Spurs are statistically vulnerable in the air, which remains a primary concern when defending wide attacks.
Derby Discipline: Total Yellow Cards
Tottenham have been significantly more aggressive in their defensive approach this season.
Averaging 2.41 cards per game, Spurs frequently engage in tactical fouls to halt opposition transitions.
Palace maintain a slightly lower card count, reflecting a more structured defensive block under Glasner.
Tottenham’s season has tightened into a straight-up scrap, and Thursday night at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium feels like a pressure valve about to pop. Igor Tudor has only been in the job two games, yet he’s already fired a warning shot — furious after the 2-1 defeat at Fulham, and brutally honest about Spurs “lacking” across the pitch.
Now it’s another London derby under the lights at 20:00, with Tottenham 16th on 29 points, four clear of the drop, and still waiting for that first league win of 2026. Oliver Glasner’s Crystal Palace arrive 14th on 35 points, coming off a 2-1 loss to Manchester United but carrying a consistent threat: they keep finding the net.
This has the feel of a match where one moment flips everything — and Spurs badly need that moment to finally fall their way.
Team News & Probable Lineups
Tottenham Hotspur
Injuries/absences:
- Wilson Odobert (cruciate ligament tear)
- Ben Davies (ankle surgery)
- Destiny Udogie (hamstring injury, out until 14.03.2026)
- Rodrigo Bentancur (hamstring injury, out until 07.04.2026)
Probable lineup:
Vicario; Danso, Van de Ven, Dragusin; Porro, Sarr, Palhinha, Gray; Simons; Tel, Richarlison
Implication: Without Udogie and Davies, Spurs’ left-side balance looks thinner, while Palhinha and Sarr scream duel-first midfield — useful, because this game is going to get noisy in the middle.
Crystal Palace
Injuries/absences:
- No confirmed absences listed.
Probable lineup:
Henderson; Canvot, Richards, Riad; Munoz, Wharton, Kamada, Mitchell; Sarr, Johnson; Strand Larsen
Implication: Palace’s shape points to a compact block with spring-loaded runners. With Wharton and Kamada, they can play through pressure — then it’s one forward pass and suddenly Spurs are defending facing their own goal.
Tale of the Tape
| Metric (Premier League) | Tottenham | Crystal Palace |
|---|---|---|
| League position | 16th | 14th |
| Points | 29 | 35 |
| Goals scored | 38 | 30 |
| Goals conceded | 43 | 34 |
| Shots per game | 11.0 | 11.8 |
| Possession | 50.1% | 44.7% |
| Pass accuracy | 81.4% | 77.6% |
| Aerial duels (avg) | 14.5 | 19.0 |
Tactical Battle
Spurs: width, crosses, and a fragile edge
Tottenham’s profile leans into wide play: they attack down the flanks, cross often, and try to win the ball back aggressively. With Pedro Porro and the wing-back roles, Spurs can pin Palace’s wide players deep and flood the box with bodies.
But there’s a catch — and it’s a nasty one. Spurs are weak in aerial duels, and vulnerable defending wide attacks. That’s a rough combination against a Palace side built to get forward from wing areas and deliver into the danger zone. If Spurs over-commit to crossing and lose structure on the break, Tudor’s back three can get dragged into ugly defending.
The most important connection is likely Xavi Simons into Richarlison and Mathys Tel. Spurs need Simons receiving between the lines, turning, and forcing Palace’s midfield to sprint backwards. If Simons is smothered, Tottenham risk becoming predictable: circulation outside, cross, reset, repeat — and Palace will love that.
Palace: central punches, long passes, and runners on the shoulder
Palace’s style is more direct and central. They attack through the middle, look for through balls, and aren’t shy about going long when the picture’s right. That fits the likely personnel perfectly: Wharton and Kamada to find angles, with Ismaïla Sarr and Johnson running off the front, and Jørgen Strand Larsen offering a focal point.
This is where Tottenham’s concentration gets tested. Spurs are very weak at avoiding individual errors, and Palace don’t need a dozen chances — they need one loose touch, one risky pass, one mis-timed step on the offside trap. Tottenham do use an offside trap, and if it’s even slightly out of sync, Palace’s vertical passing will go hunting.
The midfield fight: Palhinha vs Wharton
This could be a proper London derby engine-room scrap. João Palhinha brings ball-winning and bite. Adam Wharton brings control and distribution. If Palhinha can disrupt early, Tottenham can force Palace into rushed clearances and build waves of attacks.
If Wharton keeps his head up and plays through that pressure, Spurs’ shape will be forced to retreat — and suddenly the match stops being about Tottenham’s possession numbers and starts being about Palace’s timing and movement.
Game-State Scenarios
Here’s the tension: Tottenham can have more possession and still look exposed. Palace are rated weak at keeping the ball, so they won’t mind conceding it — they’ll sit in, then counter hard. Spurs’ recent home pattern adds fuel too: both teams have scored in each of Tottenham’s last six Premier League home games. That’s not control. That’s trading punches.
Key Moments to Watch
- Set pieces and aerial battles: Palace’s aerial duel numbers stand out. If Tottenham concede cheap free-kicks or corners, the box will feel crowded fast.
- First goal timing: Tottenham’s average first goal time sits around 45’, while Palace are around 47’ — that points to a match that can simmer, then erupt around half-time.
- Discipline and tempo: Tottenham average 2.41 yellow cards per game (94 total), Palace 1.98 (83 total). Derby tackles, derby cards, derby momentum shifts.
- The Spurs left side: With Udogie out and Davies out, Tottenham’s options and balance there are tested. Palace runners will absolutely probe it.
What Could Go Wrong?
For Tottenham, it’s the same nightmare: one mistake, one transition, one moment where the offside trap doesn’t snap shut — and the stadium gets anxious quickly. For Palace, it’s game management: they’re weak defending leads and set pieces, so if Spurs get sustained pressure, the visitors can get pinned and forced into desperate clearances.
Either way, this doesn’t look like a calm, clinical night. It looks like a derby with sharp edges — and Spurs can’t afford to be the ones bleeding again.
📊 Market Explainer
Both Teams to Score (BTTS)
The BTTS market is a simple ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ selection on whether both teams will find the net at least once during the 90 minutes. It is independent of the final result.
Pros: Remains active until the final whistle; not affected by which team wins.
Cons: Can be ruined by one team having an exceptionally poor finishing day or a dominant defensive display.
Correct Score
This market requires predicting the exact final scoreline of the match at the end of regulation time. It offers higher prices due to the difficulty of precision.
Pros: High potential returns for low stakes.
Cons: Extremely high volatility; a single late goal can completely void the selection.
🎯 Pick 1: Both Teams to Score – Yes (13/20)
Tactical Indicators:
- Tottenham have seen both teams score in 100% of their last six home league matches.
- Crystal Palace have maintained a scoring streak of ten consecutive matches in all competitions.
- Spurs’ defensive left side is currently weakened due to the absences of Udogie and Davies.
The case for goals at both ends is supported by a significant pattern of home instability for Tottenham. Despite having a higher possession average of 50.1%, they have conceded 43 goals this season and are prone to individual errors. Igor Tudor’s admission that the side is “lacking” across the pitch suggests a defensive fragility that an efficient Crystal Palace side can exploit.
Palace, while seeing less of the ball (44.7%), are productive in transition. With Ismaïla Sarr and runners on the shoulder, they target the spaces left by Spurs’ attacking wing-backs. Conversely, Tottenham’s width and crossing volume (attacking flanks often) ensure they create high-quality chances for Richarlison and Mathys Tel, especially given Palace’s recorded weakness in defending set-pieces and leads.
Risk Factor: A highly defensive ‘low block’ from Palace could limit Spurs’ central penetration if Xavi Simons is successfully smothered.
🎯 Pick 2: Correct Score – Draw 1-1 (5/1)
This scoreline aligns with the current lack of momentum in the Tottenham camp. Spurs have not registered a single league win in 2026 and are currently struggling for rhythm under Igor Tudor. With a 5/1 price, the 1-1 draw is the shortest-priced correct score in the market, reflecting its statistical likelihood. Tottenham’s average time for a first goal is 45 minutes, with Palace following at 47 minutes, suggesting a cagey first half followed by a more open second period where both sides eventually cancel each other out.
Crystal Palace’s defensive structure, coupled with Tottenham’s inability to keep clean sheets at home, points toward a score draw. Palace are notably strong in aerial duels (19.0 average) compared to Spurs (14.5), which allows them to clear their lines effectively and frustrate a Tottenham side that crosses frequently. However, Palace are also weak at defending leads, meaning even if they strike first through a transition, a response from the home side is highly probable.
Risk Factor: Tottenham’s high yellow card count (94) could lead to a sending-off, which would fundamentally alter the game-state and defensive balance.
Key Tactical Mismatch
Winning only 14.5 duels/match. Vulnerable to long passes and physical forwards.
Winning 19.0 duels/match. Direct threat through Strand Larsen and central headers.
⚔️ Match Q&A
⊕ What does “Both Teams to Score” mean in this match?
Both Teams to Score (BTTS) is a bet that both Tottenham and Crystal Palace will score at least one goal each. If the game ends 1-1, 2-1, or 2-2, the bet is successful.
⊕ Is Tottenham expected to win their first game of 2026?
Tottenham are the favourites according to market prices (6/5), but they have not won a league match yet this year. Their winless streak now extends to ten Premier League games.
⊕ How does the “Correct Score” market work for beginners?
In this market, you must predict the exact final score, such as 1-1. Unlike other bets, if the match ends 2-1 or 0-0 instead, your selection will not return anything.
⊕ What are the key injuries for Tottenham in this London derby?
Spurs are missing key defenders Destiny Udogie and Ben Davies, as well as midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur. These absences have thinned their left-sided defensive options.
⊕ Why is the 1-1 draw considered a plausible scoreline?
It is considered plausible because Tottenham have seen both teams score in six consecutive home games while failing to win recently. Palace have also scored in ten straight games, making a score draw a statistical trend.
⊕ What is the significance of “Aerial Duels Won” for this game?
Aerial duels won indicate which team is stronger in the air. Palace win 19.0 per match compared to Spurs’ 14.5, giving the visitors a tactical advantage during set-pieces and long-ball situations.
⊕ Who is the referee’s main target for yellow cards in the Spurs squad?
Tottenham average 2.41 yellow cards per game, with João Palhinha known for his aggressive ball-winning. Spurs have accumulated 94 yellow cards in the league so far.
⊕ Are there any absences in the Crystal Palace team?
Currently, there are no confirmed absences for Crystal Palace. This allows manager Oliver Glasner to field a full-strength side including Adam Wharton and Jørgen Strand Larsen.
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