Tottenham vs Crystal Palace: Spurs' renewed momentum meets Palace's defensive test

Tottenham's win at Stamford Bridge gave De Zerbi a performance to build on: his team controlled long passages against Chelsea and scored twice late on. Crystal Palace also won their most recent game, though it came in a different competition with ten changes to the starting eleven. Saturday asks whether either side can carry those encouraging signs into the league. Spurs are seeking a third successive Premier League victory, while Palace need a more secure defensive display after losing to Newcastle.

• Competition: 2026/27 Premier League, Matchweek 9.
• Fixture: Tottenham Hotspur vs Crystal Palace; Spurs are at home.
• Venue: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London.
• Kick-off: Saturday, 31 October, 5:30 p.m. GMT.

What Chelsea showed Tottenham

After eight league rounds, Tottenham sit 14th with nine points: two wins, three draws and three defeats. Those figures do not yet suggest a settled season, but the 2-0 victory at Chelsea on 24 October showed a way forward. The club's match report credited Spurs with almost 70% of possession. Chelsea goalkeeper Mike Penders turned the ball into his own net while attempting a clearance in the 77th minute, and Mathys Tel added the second goal in the 87th.

Tel provided an outlet on the left, with Mohammed Kudus operating on the other flank. In the 4-2-3-1 used at Stamford Bridge, James Maddison linked midfield to centre-forward Omar Marmoush until he was replaced after 51 minutes with an injury concern. His status for Palace matters because of that connection between the lines. Conor Gallagher took his place against Chelsea; Dejan Kulusevski also made a late appearance. Neither appearance, on its own, settles who will start this weekend.

Palace are 17th with seven points from two wins, one draw and five defeats. Their nine goals scored have been overshadowed by 19 conceded. Against Newcastle on 25 October, Palace created first-half chances before William Osula scored just after the break and Harvey Barnes made it 2-0 eleven minutes later. A back three and wing-backs did not prevent the game from slipping away during that spell.

Three days later, Palace won 1-0 at Fulham to reach the League Cup quarter-finals. Eddie Nketiah met Óscar Mingueza's low delivery with a near-post finish in the 37th minute. Pierre Sage changed ten starters from the Newcastle match; goalkeeper Dean Henderson returned from injury and Cheick Doucouré made his first competitive appearance since January 2025. That clean sheet offers encouragement, but the cup side was substantially different from the team that lost in the league.

Who is available?

Tottenham

The club had not released match-specific team news for Palace at the latest check. Its previous update concerned the Chelsea fixture:

• Destiny Udogie: missed Chelsea with knee discomfort. On 23 October, De Zerbi suggested he might return the following week but did not confirm him available.
• James Maddison: went off injured at Chelsea; De Zerbi said a medical assessment was required. His status for Saturday was unconfirmed.
• Sávio: was unavailable in the bulletin ahead of Chelsea; there was no match-specific update for Palace.
• Pedro Porro and Dejan Kulusevski: returned to competitive minutes against Chelsea. That does not settle whether they start.

Crystal Palace

Sage gave these updates at his 29 October news conference:

• Jean-Philippe Mateta: ready to play, according to the manager. Palace rested him in the cup to prepare for Tottenham.
• Ismaïla Sarr: not able to play, according to Sage.
• Jørgen Strand Larsen: due to join group training on Thursday; match involvement was still unconfirmed.
• Quinten Timber: expected to return to training on Friday and could play some minutes; there was no confirmation that he would feature.
• Dean Henderson and Cheick Doucouré: returned to competitive action at Fulham. Starting on Saturday remains a separate decision.

These questions shape Tottenham's left flank and Palace's route forward. If Udogie is unavailable, De Zerbi could keep Andrew Robertson in the role he filled against Chelsea. Without Maddison, Spurs would need another link between their midfield and forwards. Those are tactical possibilities, not announced selections. Palace have Mateta as a focal point, while Sarr's absence removes one source of pace and Strand Larsen's match fitness remains uncertain.

Where the tactical contest may turn

Tel receiving wide against Palace's right side is a matchup to watch. Sage's three-centre-back system can put numbers in the penalty area, but its outside centre-back and wing-back have to coordinate when opponents switch play. Tottenham found those routes repeatedly at Chelsea. Possession alone will not settle Saturday's game: Spurs need to turn circulation into chances before Palace's defensive block is set.

In the other direction, Mateta can provide an outlet against pressure. Nketiah's cup goal offered another route, with a run to the near post. Palace must decide when to support those moves without reopening the spaces Newcastle exploited. Tottenham also had a warning at Stamford Bridge: despite keeping a clean sheet, they gave Chelsea a dangerous chance after losing possession in their own half. Palace's ability to contest those moments could matter as much as its deeper defending.

How to watch Tottenham vs Crystal Palace

• Venue: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London.
• Kick-off: Saturday, 31 October, 5:30 p.m. GMT.

United States

• Time: Saturday, 1:30 p.m. EDT / 10:30 a.m. PDT.
• TV: NBC and Universo are listed for this match by NBC Sports.
• Streaming: Peacock is carrying the game live.

Australia

• Time: Sunday, 1 November, 4:30 a.m. AEDT in Sydney and Melbourne; the listed coverage begins at 4:20 a.m.
• Streaming: Stan Sport lists this specific fixture in its Matchweek 9 schedule. A Stan Sport package is required.

United Kingdom

• Time: Saturday, 31 October, 5:30 p.m. GMT.
• TV: Sky Sports, as confirmed in Tottenham's fixture announcement.

Palace will find out whether its cup result can become the basis for a steadier league performance. Tottenham's task is to retain the attacking control it showed at Chelsea without giving opponents space when possession changes hands.