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Tudor in risky move ahead of huge game against Crystal Palace
Tottenham face Crystal Palace on Thursday
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Sam Tabuteau
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Your matchday briefing on Tottenham, featuring team news and expert analysis from Sam Tabuteau
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The threat of relegation has suddenly become very real for Tottenham.
After West Ham beat Fulham and Nottingham Forest earned a point at Manchester City last night, Spurs are now just one point above the bottom three and alarm bells are ringing.
Those results for their rivals have piled pressure on Spurs ahead of their home game against Crystal Palace and a huge night in their battle to stay up.
It is time for the team to step up and another limp display could raise serious questions about Igor Tudor’s future.
Talk of sacking Tudor after potentially just three games may seem premature but time is of the essence for Spurs.
There will have been plenty of soul-searching after Sunday’s timid 2-1 defeat to Fulham, with Tudor suggesting his players need to find their voices.
Tudor has taken a risk by going after his players there are rumours that Guglielmo Vicario and Dominic Solanke could be dropped against Palace, which would be two big calls.
There are rumours that Guglielmo Vicario could be dropped against Crystal Palace
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It is a bold approach that could blow up in Tudor’s face if the result goes badly.
But responsibility appears to be in short supply right now and a leaderless squad is sleepwalking towards relegation as players struggle to take ownership, both in possession and of the situation.
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Such a fraught dressing room atmosphere does not often lend itself well to receiving the sort of criticism Tudor has dished out, and performances suggest his messages are not getting through.
Tudor, though, is not worried about losing the trust of his players and says honesty is the only way to get Spurs out of the situation they are in.
“Always they need honesty,” he said before the Palace game. “One of the skills of a coach is to be honest, in the right way of course, to speak with them. Without honesty, you are dead. It's what I believe.”
Spurs understandably lack confidence after a run of just two wins from their last 19 Premier League games.
Players are not coming to search for the ball, clearances are being hacked into touch rather than shuffled into a team-mate and there is not enough willingness to stretch the play in behind.
These are basics, but also a symptom of a team stretched beyond its limits by injuries.
Spurs are just one point above the relegation zone
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Players lack authority in possession not just because the gravity of the situation is dawning on them, but because they lack clarity about the positions they are meant to fulfil.
Conor Gallagher and Xavi Simons were on the periphery when played out of position against Fulham, but that does not appear to have stopped Tudor looking to tinker in search of solutions.
“We don’t have anyone,” he said when asked to explain his decision to play Gallagher as a winger against Fulham. “We have problems with the players. So sometimes someone needs to adapt a little bit their position to do it.
“When you have this emergency, someone needs to do something, maybe.”
Tudor is bidding to avoid being the first manager in nearly 50 years to take Spurs to the second division.
Their plight is not his fault, far from it, but he is the man with a chance to turn things around and his lack of clarity is feeding into the tetchy atmosphere around the club.
Ten years on from being favourites for the title with eight games to go, Spurs are now in do-or-die territory as they fight to hold on to their Premier League status.
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Igor Tudor still chasing first win as Spurs boss as relegation threat remains
Tottenham vs Crystal Palace
ES Composite
Arthur Ferridge
COMMENTS
Your matchday briefing on Tottenham, featuring team news and expert analysis from Sam Tabuteau
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Tottenham know they simply must beat Crystal Palace this evening after their relegation rivals both picked up points on Wednesday.
It is a third consecutive London derby for Igor Tudor, who has tasted defeat at the hands of both Arsenal and Fulham since signing on as Spurs’ interim boss.
He is yet to get his side into gear, and they now sit just one point above the drop zone, after West Ham won at Fulham and Nottingham Forest earned a draw at Manchester City.
Palace, meanwhile, are not faring much better. They have slumped to 14th in the league - just six points ahead of Spurs - after giving up a one-goal lead to lose to Manchester United last time out.
They will hope to find form here, though, ahead of next week’s Conference League round of 16 meeting with AEK Larnaca.
Date, kick-off time and venue
Tottenham vs Crystal Palace is scheduled for an 8pm GMT kick-off tonight, Thursday, March 5, 2026.
The match will take place at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in north London.
Where to watch Tottenham vs Crystal Palace
TV channel: In the UK, the game will be televised live on TNT Sports 1, with coverage starting at 7pm GMT ahead of an 8pm kick-off.
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Live stream: TNT Sports subscribers can also catch the contest live online via the Discovery+ app and website.
Live blog: You can follow all the action on matchday via Standard Sport’s live blog, with expert analysis from Sam Tabuteau at the ground.
Tottenham vs Crystal Palace team news
There are injuries abound for Spurs, making Tudor’s task all the more challenging.
He was handed his latest setback ahead of kick-off at Craven Cottage, as Djed Spence was left out of the squad due to a minor calf injury. He will again miss tonight’s game. Fans are pushing for Mathys Tel to start, after an encouraging cameo against Fulham, while Guglielmo Vicario’s starting spot in goal is said to be under threat.
Race against time: Djed Spence is pushing to return from injury in time to face Crystal Palace
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The remaining injuries in the squad are all long-term. Lucas Bergvall remains in recovery from a sprained ankle, expected to keep him out until next month, with Mohammed Kudus facing a similar timeline as he looks to recover from a hamstring problem.
Destiny Udogie, also sidelined with a hamstring problem, is being assessed on a week-by-week basis, according to Tudor, though he is not expected to make a comeback for at least another fortnight.
Dejan Kulusevski remains in a state of flux following last year’s knee surgery, while Wilson Odobert, Rodrigo Bentancur, Ben Davies and James Maddison are all set to be sidelined at least until the latter stages of this campaign.
Cristian Romero will see out his four-match suspension as his team-mates face Crystal Palace
REUTERS
Club captain Cristian Romero remains suspended after he was sent off during last month’s defeat by Manchester United, Thomas Frank’s penultimate match in charge of the side.
Oliver Glasner is also facing a suspension to a key defender due to a red card awarded in defeat by United. His will see Maxence Lacroix sidelined for one match after he was given his marching orders for a last-man foul on Matheus Cunha.
Elsewhere, Jean-Philippe Mateta is out with the same knee injury which saw his Deadline Day transfer to AC Milan fall through at the eleventh hour.
He is expected to play for Palace again before the end of the campaign, though, as he has decided against undergoing surgery.
Maxence Lacroix is suspended for Crystal Palace’s meeting with Tottenham
REUTERS
Jefferson Lerma is slowly closing in on a return from the thigh injury he sustained against Burnley last month, but the trip north of the river is expected to come too soon for him.
Similar is true of Eddie Nketiah and Cheick Doucoure, neither of whom are expected back until next month at the earliest.
Tottenham vs Crystal Palace prediction
It may be easy to write off Crystal Palace as they come into this match with just three wins in their last 18 matches - but do so at your own peril.
At Old Trafford last time out, Glasner’s side were more than equal to Michael Carrick’s resurgent and well-rested United, and could have been confident of taking home three points had they finished the match with a full complement on the pitch.
This ailing Tottenham side should not pose such stern opposition, and their disillusioned home fans will not be doing too much to egg them on, either.
A good opportunity presents itself, then, for Glasner’s men to build some real positive momentum ahead of making their debut in the knockout rounds of a European competition.
Crystal Palace to win, 3-1.
Head to head (h2h) history and results
Palace completed a first-ever league double over Spurs last season. but could not get the better of them at Selhurst Park earlier this season. Archie Gray was the only scorer in that match as Thomas Frank secured a rare victory.
Tottenham wins: 34
Crystal Palace wins: 12
Draws: 15
Archie Gray was the only scorer when Tottenham last faced Crystal Palace
Getty Images
Tottenham vs Crystal Palace match odds
Tottenham to win: 5/4
Crystal Palace to win: 7/4
Draw: 2/1
Odds via Betfair (subject to change).
The spectre of Premier League relegation loomed ever larger for Tottenham Hotspur on Thursday after a 3-1 home defeat by Crystal Palace left them teetering just above the drop zone. When striker Dominic Solanke gave 16th-placed Tottenham the lead against the run of play in the 34th minute, a first league win in 2026 looked on the cards for the hosts.
But they collapsed in shambolic fashion before the interval with Palace replying three times to stun the hosts after Tottenham defender Micky van de Ven was sent off. Van de Ven hauled back Ismaila Sarr in the area to receive a red card before Sarr coolly slotted home the resulting penalty, sending Guglielmo Vicario the wrong way. Adam Wharton then played in Jorgen Strand Larsen to slot a low shot past Vicario in the first minute of stoppage time and provided another classy assist for Sarr to make it 3-1.
Sarr also had a goal ruled out for a marginal offside shortly before Solanke's opener. Ten-man Tottenham battled after the break in a subdued atmosphere and emptying stadium but could not prevent a fifth successive league defeat which extended their winless league run to 11, their worst for 50 years. They have 29 points from 29 games, one more than Nottingham Forest and West Ham United. Palace's victory lifted them into 13th place with 38 points. Tottenham have been ever-present in the Premier League and were last relegated from the top flight in 1977, but interim manager Igor Tudor must turn things around quickly if they are to stay above the trap door.
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Igor Tudor still chasing first win as Spurs boss as relegation threat remains
Tottenham vs Crystal Palace
ES Composite
Arthur Ferridge
COMMENTS
Your matchday briefing on Tottenham, featuring team news and expert analysis from Sam Tabuteau
I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice.
Relegation-threatened Tottenham continue in their pursuit of a first league win of the year on Thursday as they face Crystal Palace.
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It is a third consecutive London derby for Igor Tudor, who has tasted defeat at the hands of both Arsenal and Fulham since signing on as Spurs’ interim boss.
He is yet to get his side into gear, and they now sit precariously close to the drop zone, just four points up the road from 18th-placed West Ham.
Palace, meanwhile, are not faring much better. They have slumped to 14th in the league - just six points ahead of Spurs - after giving up a one-goal lead to lose to Manchester United last time out.
They will hope to find form here, though, ahead of next week’s Conference League round of 16 meeting with AEK Larnaca.
Date, kick-off time and venue
Tottenham vs Crystal Palace is scheduled for an 8pm GMT kick-off on Thursday, March 5, 2026.
The match will take place at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in north London.
Where to watch Tottenham vs Crystal Palace
TV channel: In the UK, the game will be televised live on TNT Sports 1, with coverage starting at 7pm GMT ahead of an 8pm kick-off.
Live stream: TNT Sports subscribers can also catch the contest live online via the Discovery+ app and website.
Live blog: You can follow all the action on matchday via Standard Sport’s live blog, with expert analysis from Sam Tabuteau at the ground.
Tottenham vs Crystal Palace team news
There are injuries abound for Spurs, making Tudor’s task all the more challenging.
He was handed his latest setback ahead of kick-off at Craven Cottage, as Djed Spence was left out of the squad due to a minor calf injury. It is not yet clear whether he will be passed fit to face Palace.
Race against time: Djed Spence is pushing to return from injury in time to face Crystal Palace
Getty Images
The remaining injuries in the squad are all long-term. Lucas Bergvall remains in recovery from a sprained ankle, expected to keep him out until next month, with Mohammed Kudus facing a similar timeline as he looks to recover from a hamstring problem.
Destiny Udogie, also sidelined with a hamstring problem, is being assessed on a week-by-week basis, according to Tudor, though he is not expected to make a comeback for at least another fortnight.
Dejan Kulusevski remains in a state of flux following last year’s knee surgery, while Wilson Odobert, Rodrigo Bentancur, Ben Davies and James Maddison are all set to be sidelined at least until the latter stages of this campaign.
Cristian Romero will see out his four-match suspension as his team-mates face Crystal Palace
REUTERS
Club captain Cristian Romero remains suspended after he was sent off during last month’s defeat by Manchester United, Thomas Frank’s penultimate match in charge of the side.
Oliver Glasner is also facing a suspension to a key defender due to a red card awarded in defeat by United. His will see Maxence Lacroix sidelined for one match after he was given his marching orders for a last-man foul on Matheus Cunha.
Elsewhere, Jean-Philippe Mateta is out with the same knee injury which saw his Deadline Day transfer to AC Milan fall through at the eleventh hour.
He is expected to play for Palace again before the end of the campaign, though, as he has decided against undergoing surgery.
Maxence Lacroix is suspended for Crystal Palace’s meeting with Tottenham
REUTERS
Jefferson Lerma is slowly closing in on a return from the thigh injury he sustained against Burnley last month, but the trip north of the river is expected to come too soon for him.
Similar is true of Eddie Nketiah and Cheick Doucoure, neither of whom are expected back until next month at the earliest.
Tottenham vs Crystal Palace prediction
It may be easy to write off Crystal Palace as they come into this match with just three wins in their last 18 matches - but do so at your own peril.
At Old Trafford last time out, Glasner’s side were more than equal to Michael Carrick’s resurgent and well-rested United, and could have been confident of taking home three points had they finished the match with a full complement on the pitch.
This ailing Tottenham side should not pose such stern opposition, and their disillusioned home fans will not be doing too much to egg them on, either.
A good opportunity presents itself, then, for Glasner’s men to build some real positive momentum ahead of making their debut in the knockout rounds of a European competition.
Crystal Palace to win, 3-1.
Head to head (h2h) history and results
Palace completed a first-ever league double over Spurs last season. but could not get the better of them at Selhurst Park earlier this season. Archie Gray was the only scorer in that match as Thomas Frank secured a rare victory.
Tottenham wins: 34
Crystal Palace wins: 12
Draws: 15
Archie Gray was the only scorer when Tottenham last faced Crystal Palace
Getty Images
Tottenham vs Crystal Palace match odds
Tottenham to win: 5/4
Crystal Palace to win: 7/4
Draw: 2/1
Odds via Betfair (subject to change).
The reaction of Tottenham’s players at the end of their 2-1 defeat to Fulham on Sunday spoke perfectly to the mood around the club.
Spurs’ top goalscorer had come off the bench in the second half to give the north London club a lifeline they could not fully grasp, and there seemed an admittance from the 28-year-old that the severity of the club’s situation was now very much weighing on his mind.
For much of this season, relegation has felt improbable. Now there is no mistaking that Spurs are involved in a battle to beat the drop.
The Croat admits his side must improve in every aspect. With 10 league games to go, that is a worrying assessment. Forget a new manager bounce, Tudor is already speaking like someone on the warpath.
“Difficult moment, difficult situation, but only way is to come tomorrow on the training and try to do better, better things,” he added.
Tudor would not have been naive to the size of the job on his hands, but he has already acknowledged that it has been more difficult than he envisaged.
“We are lack when we attack, we are lacking of the quality to score the goal, we are lacking in the middle to run and we are lacking behind to stay there to suffer and not concede the goal. So, an amazing situation. Amazing,”
One of the most pertinent things Frank said during his ill-fated spell in charge was that it was as much a risk not to take risks in possession. Spurs’ players have not heeded their former manager's words of warning.
Against Fulham, Spurs managed just one shot on target. As much as they were open at the back, they were insipid with the ball. The safe pass, the hurried clearance into touch, the positional rigidity, it was a performance utterly devoid of inspiration.
Tudor has had time on the training ground, yet Spurs are still a team in the image of Frank. The direction of travel for this squad is troubling, and every game feels like a final.
With a four-point buffer to 18th-place West Ham, Spurs know that even a couple of results could drag them to safety. The fact is, though, with two wins in their last 19 league games, it's unclear where those wins will come from, and they could be reliant on results around them going their way, with West Ham and Nottingham Forest facing trickier run-ins.