Tottenham vs Crystal Palace preview: Maddison available as Spurs chase third straight win

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Updated 6.37pm GMT, Friday 30 October: corrected James Maddison’s fitness after Roberto De Zerbi’s Friday press conference. He is available for Palace, not a doubt. Reapplied after an automated edit restored the earlier wording.

Tottenham have James Maddison available as they chase a third successive Premier League victory against Crystal Palace on Saturday, with the visitors able to call on Jean-Philippe Mateta after resting him in midweek.

Kick-off is at 5.30pm GMT on Saturday 31 October at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Roberto De Zerbi’s side beat Chelsea last weekend, while Palace arrive after a midweek Carabao Cup victory at Fulham.

Tottenham vs Crystal Palace preview: Spurs seek another league win

Tottenham followed their 3-1 home win over Coventry City with a 2-0 victory at Chelsea, ending a six-match winless start to their league campaign with consecutive successes, as detailed in Sports Mole’s preview.

Palace’s recent league results have been less encouraging. The same preview records a 5-0 defeat at Brighton followed by a 2-0 home loss to Newcastle. Wednesday’s cup win gives Pierre Sage’s side something to build on before returning to league action.

Maddison available and Bentancur suspended

James Maddison is available after coming off against Chelsea. De Zerbi said on Friday: “This week he didn’t work like the other players, but for tomorrow he is available and he is a special player for us,” as BBC Sport reported. The midfielder had limped off in the 51st minute at Stamford Bridge.

Rodrigo Bentancur serves the last match of a three-game suspension. Lucas Bergvall, Xavi Simons and Wilson Odobert are out with knee injuries, Savio with a muscular problem and Mykhailo Mudryk with an ankle injury, while Tosin Adarabioyo is also sidelined.

Destiny Udogie is also back in the frame for the first time since the 1-1 draw at Manchester United on 10 October. In Tottenham’s update on 23 October, De Zerbi had identified the Palace match as a possible return date for the defender.

Mateta ready to start as Palace assess returning players

Sage said on Thursday that Mateta was ready to play and start after being rested against Fulham to manage his workload. The striker had played more minutes in the preceding week than originally planned, BBC Sport reported.

That gives Palace an attacking option alongside Eddie Nketiah, who scored the only goal in the cup win. Mateta being ready to start does not establish which forwards Sage will select.

Ismaïla Sarr remains unavailable and is expected to be out until after the international break. Sage said Jørgen Strand Larsen was due to join group training on Thursday, with Quinten Timber scheduled to return on Friday and potentially play some minutes at Tottenham.

Those were the manager’s planned next steps. Neither training return should be treated as confirmation of a place in Saturday’s starting XI.

Henderson’s return helps Palace build on cup win

Nketiah scored in the 37th minute at Craven Cottage, finishing Óscar Mingueza’s delivery at the near post, according to Palace’s official match report.

Sage made 10 changes, with Dean Henderson returning from injury and Cheick Doucouré making his first competitive appearance since January 2025. Henderson made important saves from Antonee Robinson, Alex Iwobi and Gonzalo Garcia as Palace protected their lead.

Palace then face two home matches before the international break. They host Hoffenheim in the Europa League on Thursday 5 November at 5.45pm GMT, before Liverpool visit on Sunday 8 November at 2pm, according to the club’s fixture list.

There is background on his return in our Dean Henderson injury update, and the wider picture is in our Carabao Cup results round-up.

Tottenham vs Crystal Palace TV channel and kick-off

Tottenham’s October fixture announcement confirms the match for Saturday 31 October at 5.30pm GMT, live on Sky Sports. It is shown on Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Main Event, according to Live Football On TV’s listings.

Viewing details are in our Tottenham vs Crystal Palace TV guide.

Tottenham vs Crystal Palace preview: your questions answered

When is Tottenham vs Crystal Palace?

The Premier League match takes place at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday 31 October 2026, with kick-off at 5.30pm GMT.

Is James Maddison fit to face Crystal Palace?

Yes. De Zerbi said on Friday: “For tomorrow he is available and he is a special player for us.”

Is Jean-Philippe Mateta available against Tottenham?

Sage said on Thursday that Mateta was ready to play and start after being rested against Fulham to manage his workload.

What channel is Tottenham vs Crystal Palace on?

The match is live in the UK on Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Main Event.

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