Preview: Crystal Palace vs. Tottenham Hotspur – team news, lineups, prediction, live stream

Defeat to Fulham prevented Palace from stringing together a four-game Premier League winning run at Selhurst Park, which has proven to literally be a sticky patch for visiting teams in recent months, unless they are sides from the capital.

Indeed, Palace’s three losses at Selhurst Park this season have all come to London rivals in Arsenal, Chelsea and Fulham, and they were also held to a 1-1 draw by capital counterparts Brentford at the end of August, but few Lilywhites fans will make the short journey brimming with confidence.

Tottenham had all the motivation they needed to get the job done after losing their grip on fourth spot to Manchester United, but the North London club remain outside of the Champions League places having played a game more than the Red Devils, who are currently two points clear.

Tottenham may have marched to a convincing 3-0 win over Palace on Boxing Day 2021, but their record at Selhurst Park leaves a lot to be desired, as the Eagles are unbeaten in four home matches versus Spurs in all tournaments and posted their own eye-catching 3-0 success over a Nuno Espirito Santo-led team last season.

Crystal Palace centre-back James Tomkins was one of two players sent off against Fulham – incurring two yellow cards – but he will be available for selection again after completing his one-match suspension.

On the other hand, left-back Tyrick Mitchell still has a couple of banned games to serve after his straight red card versus the Cottagers, so Joel Ward should continue to deputise at left-back.

Sam Johnstone – once linked with Tottenham – remains on the sidelines with Nathan Ferguson and James McArthur, but Vieira will be loath to make any changes to his starting XI for Wednesday’s game.

As for Tottenham, attacking injury concerns are rearing their ugly heads once more, as Dejan Kulusevski missed the loss to Villa with a muscular problem, but the club are supposedly hopeful that the Sweden international can return for Wednesday’s game.

Kulusevski was seen arriving with the squad at the weekend and should start here if fit, while Richarlison, Lucas Moura and Rodrigo Bentancur remain absent.

The latter’s deputy, Yves Bissouma, will also miss out here due to an accumulation of yellow cards.

Oliver Skipp should be drafted into the engine room for the suspended Bissouma, while Bryan Gil’s place in the final third will surely be sacrificed if Kulusevski can make a rapid recovery.