The final London derby of 2025 takes place today, Sunday, December 28, at Selhurst Park. Kick-off is scheduled for 16:30 GMT.
This fixture finds both teams in desperate need of a festive turnaround. Crystal Palace have slipped from the top four to 8th after a bruising December, while Tottenham Hotspur arrive sitting in a lowly 14th place, with manager Thomas Frank facing mounting pressure following a string of damaging defeats.
Match Details
Competition: Premier League (Matchday 18)
Kick-off: 16:30 GMT
Venue: Selhurst Park, London
Referee: Jarred Gillett | VAR: James Bell
Current Form: Carabao Heartbreak vs. Tactical Turmoil
Crystal Palace: The "Glasner" Fatigue
After a high-flying start to the season, Oliver Glasner’s men are feeling the weight of a heavy schedule. The Eagles are winless in their last four matches (D1, L3), including a gut-wrenching penalty shootout loss to Arsenal in the Carabao Cup midweek. Despite the slump, Palace remain in the European hunt, just three points off 5th-placed Chelsea.
Tottenham: The Thomas Frank Crisis
Spurs have endured a nightmare month, losing four of their last six top-flight games. A 2-1 home defeat to Liverpool last weekend—which saw them finish with nine men—has left the squad depleted and the fanbase restless. Tottenham’s away form is particularly concerning; they haven't won on the road in all competitions since October.
Team News & Predicted Lineups
Crystal Palace: An Injury Tightrope
Palace are navigating a mini-crisis of their own. Chris Richards is a major doubt with a foot injury, and Eddie Nketiah is being monitored after a knock against Arsenal.
Out: Ismaila Sarr (AFCON), Daniel Munoz, Daichi Kamada, Cheick Doucoure, Chadi Riad.
Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Henderson; Canvot, Lacroix, Guehi; Clyne, Wharton, Hughes, Mitchell; Pino, Devenny; Mateta.
Tottenham: The Suspension Scramble
Tottenham are severely hampered by the fallout of the Liverpool match.
Suspended: Cristian Romero and Xavi Simons both serve red card bans.
Out: James Maddison (ACL), Dejan Kulusevski (Knee), Dominic Solanke (Ankle), Destiny Udogie (Thigh), Pape Sarr (AFCON), Yves Bissouma (AFCON).
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Vicario; Porro, Danso, Van de Ven, Spence; Gray, Bentancur; Kudus, Bergvall, Kolo Muani; Richarlison.
Tactical Analysis: Discipline vs. Transitions
Exploiting the Spurs High Line
Glasner will likely task Jean-Philippe Mateta with bullying Tottenham’s makeshift center-back pairing of Van de Ven and Kevin Danso. With Adam Wharton pulling the strings in midfield, Palace will look to exploit the space behind Tottenham's attacking full-backs, specifically targeting the channels left by Pedro Porro.
Tottenham’s Creative Void
Without Maddison, Kulusevski, and Simons, the creative burden falls entirely on Mohammed Kudus and the teenage Lucas Bergvall. Spurs have struggled to break down low blocks recently, and they will need Richarlison to be at his clinical best if they are to breach a Palace defense led by the resolute Marc Guéhi.
Head-to-Head: Palace’s New Ownership of the Fixture
Remarkably, Crystal Palace completed a league double over Tottenham last season, winning both matches without conceding a goal.
Last Meeting: Tottenham 0–2 Crystal Palace (May 11, 2025).
Anfield Record: Spurs have failed to score in their last two visits to Selhurst Park.
Historical Edge: Tottenham leads the overall record (33 wins to Palace’s 12), but recent momentum lies with the South Londoners.
Match Prediction
Tottenham are playing with a "siege mentality" following their nine-man stand against Liverpool, but the sheer volume of missing starters—especially in midfield and defense—is hard to ignore. Palace are tired, but they are historically strong at the end of the calendar year and have Glasner’s system deeply ingrained. Expect a tight, feisty affair that could be decided by a single set-piece.
Final Score Prediction: Crystal Palace 1–1 Tottenham
