Tottenham Hotspur Starting XI vs Crystal Palace: Confirmed Team News and Predicted Lineup | OneFootball

Tottenham vs Crystal Palace: Rotation, Recovery and Reckoning in Premier League Clash

As the domestic campaign approaches its final bend, Tottenham Hotspur find themselves delicately poised between pragmatism and ambition. With a Europa League final looming large against Manchester United, Ange Postecoglou is expected to ring the changes for the visit of Crystal Palace on Sunday — a fixture that offers little more than a Premier League footnote in a season now defined by continental promise.

Europa League Demands Shape Spurs Strategy

Thursday night in Norway, on the artificial pitch of Bodo/Glimt, saw nine of Tottenham’s starting eleven play the full 90 minutes. That gruelling encounter now casts a long shadow over the weekend’s fixture, necessitating a reshuffle from Postecoglou as he aims to keep key players fresh for May 21.

The back four is set for a complete overhaul. Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero are almost certain to be spared any involvement, prioritised instead for the final. In their place, Archie Gray, Kevin Danso, Ben Davies and Djed Spence are in line to make returns, forming a makeshift but functional defence against a Palace side seeking consistency.

Injuries Deplete Midfield, Creativity in Demand

In midfield, Tottenham’s options are thinning. James Maddison and Lucas Bergvall are sidelined with ligament injuries that will rule them out for the remainder of the season. That loss of ingenuity leaves Rodrigo Bentancur likely to retain his place in the No6 role, with Pape Matar Sarr expected to provide energy and ball progression beside him.

Dejan Kulusevski, normally wide or deeper in transition, may be pushed further forward to deputise at No10, a role where his incisive passing could prove pivotal. With Maddison absent, it’s creativity by committee — and Kulusevski may be Tottenham’s most credible source of invention.

Attack Hinges on Richarlison and Recovery

In attack, Richarlison’s increased game time continues. Having played only 60 minutes in Norway, the Brazilian could lead the line for the fourth successive match. Flanking him are likely to be Wilson Odobert and Mathys Tel, although Mikey Moore may feature if rotation demands it.

Should Richarlison not recover in time, Tel may move centrally, offering a different profile up front — less bruising, more elusive.

The wildcard remains Heung-min Son. Postecoglou offered a flicker of optimism regarding his captain’s availability, stating he is “half hopeful” the South Korean might feature. After missing the European semi-final with a foot complaint, his return — even in cameo form — would provide a welcome emotional and tactical boost.

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Predicted Line-up and Palace Challenge

Tottenham’s predicted XI (4-3-3): Vicario; Gray, Danso, Davies, Spence; Bentancur, Sarr, Kulusevski; Odobert, Richarlison, Tel.