Tottenham predicted lineup vs Crystal Palace: James Maddison is a doubt with the groin problem that forced him off at Chelsea, and a former Palace loanee and a fit-again right-back look set to come into the side for Saturday’s visit of the Eagles.
Spurs host Palace at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium at 5.30pm UK time on Saturday 31 October, bidding to win three Premier League games in a row for the first time since February 2025. Roberto De Zerbi‘s side are 14th after the 3-1 win over Coventry City and last weekend’s 2-0 victory at Stamford Bridge, three points above the relegation zone and only two behind the top six.
Crystal Palace arrive in 17th with the worst defensive record in the division, 19 goals conceded, and Pierre Sage reportedly under real pressure. The warning sign for the Lilywhites is history: Palace have won on their last two visits to N17, including a 3-1 win in March.
The selection story is all in midfield. Our Tottenham injury news before Crystal Palace laid out the full list on Wednesday, and the latest update from Sports Mole on Thursday evening has moved a couple of names since then.
Tottenham predicted lineup vs Crystal Palace
Tottenham predicted lineup vs Crystal Palace (4-3-3): Kinsky; Porro, Van Hecke, Van de Ven, Robertson; Gallagher, Fernandes, Tonali; Kudus, Marmoush, Tel
That is two changes from the side that started at Chelsea, where De Zerbi went with Kinsky; Gray, Van Hecke, Van de Ven, Robertson; Tonali, Fernandes, Maddison; Kudus, Marmoush, Tel, according to the confirmed line-ups on the Spurs website. Conor Gallagher comes in for Maddison and Pedro Porro replaces Archie Gray, which is also the XI Sports Mole expect.
Tottenham predicted lineup vs Crystal Palace: defence
Antonin Kinsky: the clean sheet keeps him in
Kinsky kept Spurs’ first clean sheet in a win at Stamford Bridge since 1986, and there is no reason to change goalkeeper now. He has had his critics this season, and we looked at why Kinsky is still being questioned, but he looked far calmer on the ball as the Chelsea game went on. Martin Dubravka was on the bench last weekend and should be again.
Pedro Porro back at right-back in the Tottenham lineup vs Palace?
Porro returned to the matchday squad at Chelsea after the injury he picked up against Aston Villa, but he stayed on the bench while Gray filled in at right-back. Sports Mole say he is fit to start, and he is the natural option in that position. Gray did nothing wrong, which makes this a close call, but Porro’s delivery is a weapon against a Palace side that has been shipping goals.
Jan Paul van Hecke: no reason to break up the partnership
Van Hecke started at Stamford Bridge and challenged Mike Penders for the Mateus Fernandes corner that led to the opening goal. With Tosin Adarabioyo still being assessed for his calf problem, the centre-back pairing should stay as it was.
Micky van de Ven: the captain stays put
Van de Ven wore the armband at Chelsea and is one of the first names on the teamsheet. His pace is a big part of how De Zerbi can push his full-backs high, and that matters against a Palace side that could look to break if they fall behind.
Andrew Robertson keeps the left-back spot
Destiny Udogie was a major doubt on Wednesday, but Sports Mole now list him as out with a knee problem. That settles it: Robertson keeps the shirt after starting at Chelsea behind Mathys Tel, with Ben Davies the cover on the bench.
Tottenham predicted lineup vs Crystal Palace: midfield
Conor Gallagher: a start against his old loan club
This is the big call. Maddison came off with groin discomfort early in the second half at Chelsea, and he is still a doubt. Speaking at Stamford Bridge, De Zerbi said: “I hope it’s not a big problem because he’s a special player for us. We need him.” If he is not risked, Gallagher, who spent time on loan at Palace, is the obvious replacement. He came off the bench last weekend and was the player Cole Palmer caught on the ankle for his second yellow card.
Mateus Fernandes: the summer signing who is finally clicking
Fernandes was excellent at Chelsea on his first league start since the defeat to Aston Villa, and his corner led to the opener. He keeps his place, and his set-piece delivery gives Spurs another route to goal against a defence that has looked fragile.
Sandro Tonali anchors the Tottenham midfield vs Palace
Tonali also excelled in the win at Stamford Bridge, and with Rodrigo Bentancur serving the third and final game of his three-match ban, there is no real alternative at the base of midfield anyway. Lucas Bergvall is being assessed for a knee problem, so even a place on the bench for him would be a bonus.
Who leads the Spurs attack against Crystal Palace?
Mohammed Kudus: one of the two wingers who made the difference
De Zerbi was clear after Chelsea that his wide men won the game. Kudus on the right gives Spurs a winger who can carry the ball and keep it, and with Dejan Kulusevski expected to start on the bench again, the shirt is his.
Omar Marmoush leads the line in the Tottenham predicted lineup
Marmoush dropped deep as a false nine at Stamford Bridge and had Tottenham’s best chance of a dull first half. Dominic Solanke will push him for a start, but Marmoush also scored in the Coventry win and fits the way De Zerbi wants his No.9 to link play, so he keeps the shirt for now.
Mathys Tel: the Stamford Bridge match-winner starts
We have already made the case that Tel has to start against Palace, and his solo goal in the 87th minute at Chelsea makes this the easiest pick of the lot. De Zerbi told the club afterwards: “I believe in Mathys, maybe more than he believes in himself.” Now Tel has to back that up at home.
Tottenham team news: bench, doubts and absentees
Maddison, Tosin and Bergvall will all be checked before kick-off. Udogie, Xavi Simons and Wilson Odobert (all knee), Savio (muscle) and Mykhaylo Mudryk (ankle) are out, and Bentancur is suspended. Solanke, Kulusevski, Gray, Davies and Dubravka should all be among the substitutes.
Verdict: Tottenham predicted lineup vs Crystal Palace built on the Chelsea win
De Zerbi has never lost to Palace as a manager in four meetings, winning two and drawing two, and this side finally looks like it understands what he wants. Losing Maddison would hurt, but Gallagher brings energy and Porro brings a threat from deep, so the shape should hold.
Palace have the worst defence in the league and a manager under pressure. If Spurs play with the same control they showed at Stamford Bridge, back-to-back home wins in the league for the first time since November 2024 are there for the taking.
Tottenham predicted lineup vs Crystal Palace (4-3-3): Kinsky; Porro, Van Hecke, Van de Ven, Robertson; Gallagher, Fernandes, Tonali; Kudus, Marmoush, Tel
