Crystal Palace could find themselves back in the bottom three at kick-off on Sunday with the side’s resources now severely hampered by injuries to 12 senior players, so the last thing Roy Hodgson needed was a visit from Tottenham Hotspur. Mauricio Pochettino will sense this as an opportunity to take advantage of Manchester United and Chelsea’s match above them, and Arsenal’s distraction in the League Cup final. His team have won their past five meetings with Palace. The hosts will have to perform out of their skins if that record is to end. Dominic Fifield
Martin Fisher: "Crystal Palace climbed out of the relegation zone in mid-December but staying above the dreaded dotted line over the next three weeks is going to be a major challenge.
"The fixture list hasn't been kind. After Tottenham, it's Manchester United and then Chelsea for a squad ravaged by injury. Devoid of suitable options, it says a lot that Roy Hodgson has seen fit to make only three substitutions during their last five games.
"I'm not sure Palace possess the firepower to outscore a Spurs side that boasts plenty, not least in the formidable Harry Kane, who requires just one more goal to match last season's impressive tally of 35.
"It's hard to see anything other than a sixth successive Premier League win for north over south in this London derby."
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