Sports Mole

Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner must find solutions to Maxence Lacroix's absence for Thursday's Premier League London derby with Tottenham Hotspur at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

The former Wolfsburg defender went from hero to zero in Sunday's 2-1 defeat to Manchester United, netting the opening goal before conceding the penalty that sparked the Red Devils' comeback.

To make matters worse, Lacroix was deemed to have denied Matheus Cunha a clear goalscoring opportunity in that incident, thus incurring a red card which carries a one-game suspension for this derby.

With no Marc Guehi around, Glasner will have to call upon the inexperienced Chadi Riad to fill in alongside Chris Richards and Jaydee Canvot, unless the Austrian makes the shock switch to a back four.

The visiting manager at least has no further serious concerns further forward, meaning that Adam Wharton, Daniel Munoz, Daichi Kamada and Tyrick Mitchell should continue in the same bank of four in the middle.

Brennan Johnson has likely earned a start against his former club after setting up Lacroix's opener at Old Trafford, while Ismaila Sarr remains a shoo-in up front.

Jorgen Strand Larsen could only complete 58 minutes of the defeat to Michael Carrick's side, but there are no serious concerns about the striker's condition.

Crystal Palace possible starting lineup:

Henderson; Canvot, Richards, Riad; Munoz, Wharton, Kamada, Mitchell; Sarr, Johnson; Strand Larsen

Tottenham Hotspur head coach Igor Tudor should consider a double attacking alteration for Thursday's Premier League London derby with Crystal Palace at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

The Lilywhites equalled their record for their longest Premier League winless run in Sunday's 2-1 defeat to Fulham, their 10th consecutive match without a three-point haul in the top flight and one that leaves them just four points above the relegation zone.

Richarlison came off the bench to score his eighth Premier League goal of the season in that derby - albeit one that was in vain - while Mathys Tel was also praised for his industrious display as a substitute.

As neither Randal Kolo Muani nor Dominic Solanke cut the mustard at Craven Cottage, Tel and Richarlison have strong cases to start in a strike partnership in the midweek clash.

Xavi Simons should continue in support of whichever duo starts up top, while Archie Gray will have to fill in on the left-hand side again if Djed Spence's new calf injury keeps him out again.

Pedro Porro is at least fit again and indispensable on the right-hand side, but neither Conor Gallagher nor Yves Bissouma shone at Fulham, so Pape Sarr may feel deserving of a start alongside Joao Palhinha.

Kevin Danso has also made a full recovery from a foot problem, so the Austrian could link arms with Micky van de Ven and Radu Dragusin in a back three while Cristian Romero serves the fourth and final game of his ban.

Tottenham Hotspur possible starting lineup:

Vicario; Danso, Van de Ven, Dragusin; Porro, Sarr, Palhinha, Gray; Simons; Tel, Richarlison

At risk of setting a new record for their longest-ever Premier League winless run, Tottenham Hotspur host Crystal Palace on Thursday night in their third straight London derby.

The Lilywhites are now without a victory in 10 top-flight games after Sunday's 2-1 loss to Fulham, although their visitors also suffered defeat by the same scoreline to Manchester United last time out.

Match preview

Two games into his reign, and Igor Tudor may have already had his Antonio Conte moment, having refused to hold back in an incendiary press conference following Sunday's excruciating loss at Craven Cottage.

The Croatian was understandably aggrieved at an apparent push from Raul Jimenez on Radu Dragusin going unpunished - one week on from Randal Kolo Muani being penalised for a similar incident against Arsenal - but he then lamented the "amazing" situation in which his team are 'lacking' in all thirds of the field.

Tudor's scathing assessment was not inaccurate given that Tottenham are still the only team without a Premier League win in 2026, and Sunday's failure saw them equal their longest streak without success in the competition, set all the way back in 1994.

Thankfully for the relegation-threatened Europa League winners, the failures of Nottingham Forest and West Ham United at the weekend means that their situation has not got any worse; they are still 16th in the Premier League table with a four-point gap to the drop zone, at least until this week's fixtures kick off.

However, reeling from four straight losses in the top division, no team is on a worse run of form than Tottenham at present, but there are no prizes for remembering who their most recent Premier League victory came against.

Thursday's tussle will pit together two managers destined to move on at the end of the season, as while Tudor's days at Tottenham are very likely numbered, Oliver Glasner's at Crystal Palace undoubtedly are.

Uncertainty over the Austrian's future perhaps contributed to the Eagles' appalling 12-game winless run between December and February, but the situation has looked a little rosier for the FA Cup holders of late, with three victories to show from their last six in all tournaments.

Crystal Palace were also on course to end Michael Carrick's unbeaten run as Man United manager at Old Trafford, as Maxence Lacroix stunned the Mancunian crowd just four minutes in, but the Frenchman's penalty concession and red card turned the contest on its head.

The 14th-placed visitors at least cannot drop any lower with another defeat on Thursday, and Glasner's men have suffered just one loss from their last nine Premier League London derbies away from home, which came against leaders Arsenal in October.

However, Palace were the victims of Tottenham's last Premier League success, as Thomas Frank's Spurs won 1-0 at Selhurst Park in December, but the Eagles came away from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with a 2-0 victory during the closing stages of 2024-25.

Tottenham Hotspur Premier League form:

Tottenham Hotspur form (all competitions):

Crystal Palace Premier League form:

Crystal Palace form (all competitions):

Team News

Tottenham were finally blessed with some good news on the injury front against Fulham, as Kevin Danso and Pedro Porro returned following their layoffs, but Djed Spence was ruled out before kickoff with a minor calf problem.

Whether Spence is cleared to face Palace remains to be seen, but none of Tottenham's other absentees - Destiny Udogie (thigh), Lucas Bergvall (ankle), Ben Davies (ankle), Mohammed Kudus (thigh), Rodrigo Bentancur (thigh), Dejan Kulusevski (knee), James Maddison (knee), Wilson Odobert (knee) and the suspended Cristian Romero - will be back for Thursday.

Spurs fans are crying out for Mathys Tel to be given a shot from the first whistle after his positive impact at Craven Cottage, while Richarlison has also made his case for a start after his eighth goal of the Premier League season at the weekend.

Tudor and Glasner can empathise over suspended centre-backs for Thursday's derby, as Lacroix will serve his one-game ban this week for his denial of a clear goalscoring opportunity at Old Trafford.

Chadi Riad should be drafted into Glasner's back three to cover for Lacroix, who takes his place on the sidelines with the injured Cheick Doucoure (knee), Eddie Nketiah (thigh), Jean-Philippe Mateta (knee) and Jefferson Lerma (thigh), but the latter two could be back at some point this month.

Jorgen Strand Larsen also looked a little worse for wear as he was taken off on the 58-minute mark against Man Utd, but there is nothing to suggest that the Scandinavian will not be fit to lead the line in North London.

Tottenham Hotspur possible starting lineup:

Vicario; Danso, Van de Ven, Dragusin; Porro, Sarr, Palhinha, Gray; Simons; Tel, Richarlison

Crystal Palace possible starting lineup:

Henderson; Canvot, Richards, Riad; Munoz, Wharton, Kamada, Mitchell; Sarr, Johnson; Strand Larsen

We say: Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 Crystal Palace

Predicting Tottenham to win a Premier League game in 2026 has been nigh on impossible so far, but the stage is set for the Lilywhites to finally turn their fortunes around - at least for 90 minutes.

Richarlison and Tel have shown potential up top, and with an inconsistent Palace missing the indispensable Lacroix, Tudor could make it third time lucky.

Tottenham Hotspur's nightmare campaign is threatening to spiral into something far more damaging than mid-table disappointment.

Another poor result has left Spurs staring anxiously at the bottom three, with confidence draining at exactly the wrong time of the season.

And if the unthinkable happens, Europe’s elite are already lining up to raid north London, with one £40m talent now firmly in their sights.

Who is interested in signing Spurs midfielder Archie Gray?

According to TEAMtalk, versatile midfielder Archie Gray is attracting serious attention from across Europe.

German heavyweights Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund are both monitoring his situation closely, viewing him as a player with enormous long-term potential.

Dortmund had tracked Gray during his time at Leeds United, while Bayern are renowned for polishing elite young talent.

There is even interest from La Liga giants Real Madrid, who are understood to be keeping a watching brief as they continue their strategy of recruiting top emerging stars.

Gray joined Spurs in a £40m move from Leeds in July 2024 and has been described as a “generational talent” in the past.

His ability to operate in midfield, defence or at right-back has only enhanced his growing reputation.

What is the latest situation at Spurs?

Spurs’ current predicament looks pretty bleak.

They are without a Premier League win in 10 matches, a run stretching back to late December, and sit just four points above the relegation zone with 10 games remaining. No other side has performed worse during this time.

It is their worst run of league form in over three decades, and momentum is firmly heading in the wrong direction. Each passing week increases the pressure, and relegation is no longer a distant possibility but now a genuine threat.

Archie Gray will be one of many likely to leave if Spurs are relegated

If Spurs were to drop into the Championship, Gray would not be short of suitors.

His contract runs until 2030, offering Tottenham some protection, but relegation would inevitably intensify interest.

And while the 19-year-old may be the headline name at this stage, he would surely be just one of several high-value assets targeted should Spurs fail to secure Premier League survival this season.

Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly interested in signing Fiorentina midfielder Nicolo Fagioli this summer.

The Spurs need to secure their Premier League safety before worrying about summer dealings in truth after last weekend's showing.

A Tottenham team under the interim leadership of Igor Tudor suffered defeat at Craven Cottage to Fulham.

Harry Wilson and Alex Iwobi fired the Cottagers into the lead in the first half during the West London occasion.

Winless across their last 10 Premier League fixtures, Tottenham are sitting just four points above the relegation zone.

Tottenham want to sign Serie A midfielder?

According to Italian journalist Marco Conterio, Tottenham are already planning for a top-flight term in 2026-27.

The report claims that the current Europa League holders are keen on signing Fiorentina man Fagioli.

It is understood that Spurs have made the 25-year-old one of their priority targets ahead of the summer.

As well as the relegation-threatened Lilywhites, it is believed that Newcastle are also exploring a possible deal for Fagioli.

The former Juventus midfielder has made 23 Serie A appearances for La Viola this term, providing four goal contributions.

Tottenham need to focus on fight for survival

Simply put, Tottenham will not be able to secure a player of Fagioli's talents if they are playing in the Championship next season.

Spurs are fighting the likes of West Ham United, Nottingham Forest and Leeds United to remain in the Premier League.

Looking for their first win in 11 matches, Tottenham welcome Crystal Palace to North London on Thursday night.

Tottenham Hotspur interim head coach Igor Tudor has potentially condemned himself to FA sanctions due to comments made after his side's defeat at Fulham on the weekend.

A Sunday afternoon occasion in West London brought plenty of misery for relegation-threatened Spurs, who conceded twice during a dismal first half at Craven Cottage to Harry Wilson and Alex Iwobi.

The visitors managed to land a counter-punch in the second period through Brazil international Richarlison, however the Lilywhites were unable to restore parity in the match, falling to yet another top-flight defeat.

The sorry North Londoners equalled their record for the longest streak without a Premier League victory, with Tudor's troops winless across their last 10 top-flight matches - their worst such run since 1994.

Last enjoying maximum points from a Premier League fixture at Selhurst Park versus Crystal Palace on December 28, Spurs are sitting 16th in the league table, only four points above the relegation zone.

Spurs boss Tudor to face FA punishment?

In another negative turn of fate for the out-of-form Spurs, interim head coach Tudor could face FA sanctions following his emotional outburst after witnessing his side lose their 13th Premier League contest of the season.

The Croatian was extremely critical of official Thomas Bramall, who was accused twice of being a 'home team referee', whilst also calling out Cottagers striker Raul Jimenez, with the Spurs boss labelling the Mexican as 'cheating'.

"I did not like the referee today, too much of a home team referee," said Tudor on Sunday. "I did not feel well with him. All the decisions were on their side. He does not understand football, the feeling of what is wrong and what is right.

"He [Jimenez] was not thinking about the ball, he was thinking how to cheat, he cheated the player, was pushing, it was cheating and it is a foul. Ninety-nine of 100 people will say it is a foul, it is so obvious."

Tudor's comments appear to breach FA regulations, namely Rule E3, which concerns improper conduct, offensive language or actions that bring the game into disrepute.

What punishment could Tudor, Spurs face?

In the past, Premier League managers have been punished for less than what Tudor said on Sunday afternoon, meaning that the Tottenham head coach should be expecting some sort of opposite reaction.

The range of punishments span in accordance to the seriousness of the offence, with some managers getting off with official warnings, whilst others are handed heavy fines and touchline bans.

Whatever the result for Tudor, this saga represents another unwanted distraction in a horrible campaign thus far for Spurs, who are slowly sinking towards an unthinkable relegation to the Championship.

The Lilywhites will be hopeful that their Croatian boss is allowed to bark orders from the sidelines on Thursday night, when the North Londoners host FA Cup holders Crystal Palace in the Premier League.

Still searching for their first win in 2026, Tottenham Hotspur host Crystal Palace on Thursday night hoping to move away from the Premier League bottom three.

Following a 4-1 loss at home to North London rivals Arsenal, Igor Tudor's side travelled to Craven Cottage where their miserable run in 2026 continued and their winless run was extended to 10 games following a 2-1 defeat to the Cottagers.

Relegation-threatened Spurs can not afford to drop too many more points if they want to ease their fears of relegation and are still having to deal with a number of first-team players remaining on the sidelines.

Here, Sports Mole rounds up Tottenham Hotspur's latest injury and suspension news ahead of the contest against Marco Silva’s side.

Djed Spence

Status: Out

Type of injury: Calf

Possible return date: Unknown

Djed Spence picked up a supposedly minor calf injury back in January and has not featured since. Although a return date is currently unknown, he is being assessed ahead of their midweek clash.

Ben Davies

Status: Out

Type of injury: Ankle

Possible return date: April 11 (vs. Sunderland)

Ben Davies was stretchered off with a severe ankle injury against West Ham back in January, and the Welsh defender will spend another couple of months recovering from surgery and is likely to miss the World Cup should his side make it.

Destiny Udogie

Status: Out

Type of injury: Hamstring

Possible return date: March 15 (vs. Liverpool)

After suffering a hamstring injury in Spurs' defeat to Manchester United at the start of February, the Italian has been on the sidelines ever since and is not expected to be back until after the March international break.

Lucas Bergvall

Status: Out

Type of injury: Ankle/Foot

Possible return date: April 11 (vs. Sunderland)

Lucas Bergvall remains sidelined with an ankle injury picked up during the 2-0 win over Borussia Dortmund back in January, the Swedish international will spend the next couple of months on the sidelines.

Mohammed Kudus

Status: Out

Type of injury: Thigh

Possible return date: April 11 (vs. Sunderland)

Mohammed Kudus was forced off in the 1-1 draw with Sunderland on January 4 with a thigh injury which was worse than first feared. Like many others, he will not return until at least after the international break.

Rodrigo Bentancur

Status: Out

Type of injury: Hamstring

Possible return date: May 2 (vs. Aston Villa)

Rodrigo Bentancur suffered a major hamstring injury at the beginning of the year and the Uruguayan midfielder will not be available for another couple of months at least, with next season potentially being his next game back.

Wilson Odobert

Status: Out

Type of injury: Knee

Possible return date: Unknown

Wilson Odobert ruptured his ACL in the defeat to Newcastle on February 10 and the winger will not return until next season.

James Maddison

Status: Out

Type of injury: ACL

Possible return date: Unknown

James Maddison has been sidelined since sustaining an ACL injury in August and the attacking midfielder will not be back in contention until next season, after at least two different managers have been in the Spurs dugout.

Dejan Kulusevski

Status: Out

Type of injury: Knee

Possible return date: Unknown

Dejan Kulusevski is still recovering from a long-term knee injury that he picked up towards the end of last season, there is hope he features this season, but it remains unlikely.

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR’S SUSPENSION LIST

Cristian Romero

© Imago / Sportimage

Return date: March 15 (vs. Liverpool)

Cristian Romero will serve the final match of a four-game ban this Thursday following his straight red card in the 2-0 defeat at Man United on February 7. Tottenham have no other players suspended ahead of the Crystal Palace clash.

Tottenham Hotspur's defeat against Fulham on Sunday saw the club equal their longest winless streak in Premier League history.

Spurs fans hoped that they would win the London derby at Craven Cottage and distance themselves from the relegation zone after West Ham United's defeat against Liverpool on Saturday.

However, Igor Tudor's side suffered a 2-1 loss at the stadium, with goals from Harry Wilson and Alex Iwobi in the first half proving too much to overcome.

That was the team's 10th league game with victory, a period in which Tottenham were beaten on six occasions.

Spurs had only once failed to win 10 consecutive Premier League games, with that stretch coming between Janaury and March 1994 under Ossie Ardiles.

Will Spurs be relegated from the Premier League?

Tottenham are currently 16th in the Premier League with 29 points, two more than 17th-placed Nottingham Forest and four more than 18th-placed West Ham.

Perhaps Tudor's saving grace is the fact that his side will host Forest on March 22, though they could enter that clash behind the visitors given their next two league games come against Crystal Palace and Liverpool.

Spurs must improve in the coming weeks considering their final four league fixtures come against Aston Villa, Leeds United, Chelsea and Everton.

Villa and Chelsea will be battling to secure Champions League football, while Leeds and Everton rarely make life easy for their opponents, so it would not be surprising if Tottenham dropped numerous points in that period.

Will Tottenham improve once their injured players return?

Spurs were unable to select 10 players due to either injury or suspension against Fulham, with key stars like Cristian Romero, Destiny Udogie, James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski, Lucas Bergvall and Mohammed Kudus all missing.

No team in the Premier League would be able to cope with the absences that Tottenham have been forced to deal with, though they should still not be this close to the relegation zone.

Many of the team's key players are not scheduled to return until April, and if the team are in the bottom three in the closing weeks of the season, then it is hard to see the club fighting their way back to safety.

Nottingham Forest and West Ham both understand what it takes to survive, whereas Spurs have not contested a genuine relegation fight for decades, and their inexperience could cost them.

Tottenham Hotspur have been handed a huge early boost for their Premier League clash with Crystal Palace on Thursday, which Maxence Lacroix will be suspended for.

The Frenchman and his Eagles side got off to the dream start in Sunday's showdown with Manchester United, as Lacroix opened the scoring after just four minutes with a deft header from a corner.

Oliver Glasner's men then received a further fillip, as Luke Shaw sustained a foot injury following a challenge from Daniel Munoz, one that has the potential to jeopardise the defender's World Cup hopes.

Nevertheless, Michael Carrick's Man Utd fought back against the FA Cup holders, thanks in no small part to Lacroix pulling Matheus Cunha back inside the box and conceding a penalty.

Referee Chris Kavanagh pointed to the spot following some brief deliberation, and while the awarding of the penalty was confirmed, the official was then sent to the screen to check whether Lacroix had denied a clear goalscoring opportunity.

Crystal Palace's Maxence Lacroix banned for Tottenham clash after Man United red card

Replays showed Lacroix initiating the contact outside of the box, but his pull on Cunha continued into the penalty area, and Kavanagh saw fit to dismiss the former Wolfsburg man.

Explaining his decision to the Old Trafford crowd, Kavanagh said: "After review, Crystal Palace number 5 commits a clear holding offence which denies a clear, obvious, goal scoring opportunity. Final decision is penalty and red card."

Lacroix's sending-off for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity carries a one-game suspension, which he will serve in the London derby with Igor Tudor's side at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this week.

The 25-year-old's dismissal on Sunday marked his seventh red card since the start of the 2020-21 season, having also been sent off three times in the 2021-22 Bundesliga and three times in the 2023-24 German top flight.

Only one player has received more red cards in Europe's big five leagues since the beginning of the 2020-21 campaign - Montpellier HSC legend Teji Savanier with eight.

Lacroix will return for Palace's Conference League last-16 first leg with AEK Larnaca in two Thursdays' time, and he will also be eligible to feature in the Eagles' home match with Leeds United on March 15.

How can Crystal Palace replace Maxence Lacroix against Tottenham?

Lacroix may only be missing for one game, but Palace could have done without losing another defender - even just for 90 minutes - following Marc Guehi's January exit to Manchester City.

If Glasner wishes to stick with his three-man backline, the only other centre-back in the squad alongside Chris Richards and Jaydee Canvot is Chadi Riad, who was sidelined with an ACL injury until just a few weeks ago.

Alternatively, Glasner could start either Borna Sosa or Nathaniel Clyne as an emergency centre-back, but Jefferson Lerma - another possible alternative - is expected to miss out with a hamstring injury.

Tottenham Hotspur full-back Djed Spence is reportedly missing from Sunday's Premier League clash with Fulham due to a small calf injury.

The Englishman was expected to start at left wing-back against the Cottagers, as Destiny Udogie is still nursing a hamstring issue and new signing Souza is yet to be trusted from the first whistle.

However, Spence was an unexpected absentee from the visitors' matchday squad, and Igor Tudor did not explain his absence in his pre-game interview with Sky Sports.

A fresh update has now emerged, though, as journalist Michael Bridge claims that the 25-year-old has picked up a calf injury, although his latest issue is a 'very minor one'.

Nevertheless, Spence is now a slight doubt for Tottenham's home fixture against Crystal Palace on Thursday night, and it remains to be seen if he is fit to face Atletico Madrid in the first leg of Spurs' Champions League last-16 clash on March 10.

The defender has made 34 appearances for the Europa League winners across all competitions, but he also sat out both matches against Manchester City and Manchester United in February due to another calf concern.

Tudor was at least able to bring Pedro Porro back into the XI in Spence's place, although there was widespread confusion as to where the Spaniard would play, and if the Spurs boss would put out a back three or back four.

Tudor started Porro, Joao Palhinha, Micky van de Ven, Radu Dragusin and Archie Gray together, and in a bizarre twist, Porro, Van de Ven and Dragusin were seen warming up in a back three.

When will Tottenham's other injury victims return?

It was a case of two in, one out for Spurs on the injury front on Sunday, as Tudor also welcomed Kevin Danso back to the substitutes' bench following the Austrian defender's recent foot problem.

However, Spence's latest concern means that Tottenham are now back to a double-figure absentee list, including Cristian Romero, who is serving the third game of his four-match suspension on Sunday.

The Argentine will be eligible for selection against Atletico in the Champions League, though, and fellow defender Udogie may also be fine to return from a thigh problem in time for the first leg too.

Lucas Bergvall, Ben Davies (both ankle) and Mohammed Kudus (thigh) are expected to remain out until mid-April, though, while Rodrigo Bentancur (thigh) and Dejan Kulusevski (knee) may be sidelined until May.

Neither James Maddison nor Wilson Odobert - both recovering from ACL injuries - are expected to play again before the end of the season, so Tudor will be forced to navigate a fitness crisis for much of his time in North London.