Tottenham Face Relegation Battle as Tudor's Job Hangs in Balance Against Crystal Palace
London, 5 March 2026
Tottenham’s precarious position just one point above the relegation zone intensifies as interim manager Igor Tudor faces potential dismissal if his team fails to secure victory against Crystal Palace tonight. With Spurs enduring their worst Premier League run since 1994—ten games without a win—the London derby carries unprecedented stakes for a club desperately trying to avoid their first relegation since 1977.
Tudor Under Immediate Pressure as Spurs Stare Down Relegation
The mathematics of Tottenham’s predicament are stark. Following West Ham United’s victory on Wednesday, 4 March 2026, Spurs find themselves just one point clear of the bottom three [5]. Tudor has overseen two defeats in his opening matches as acting head coach [5], a feat last matched by Martin Jol in 2004 [6]. Former Tottenham star Jamie O’Hara has been particularly vocal about Tudor’s position, stating: “I’d get rid of him [if he loses to Palace]. He’s an interim manager, and he’s lost the first three games. It’s a farce, but Tottenham is a farce” [6]. The Croatian manager, however, maintains his composure, rating the pressure he faces as only a “seven [out of ten]” and emphasising that “coaches always feel the pressure” [6].
Historical Context Adds Weight to Tonight’s Fixture
Tottenham’s current winless streak has equalled their longest run without success in the Premier League, a record set in 1994 [2]. The club are attempting to avoid their first relegation from the top division since 1977 [6], adding historical significance to what might otherwise be considered a routine London derby. Tudor’s appointment followed the dismissal of Thomas Frank after a dismal run of one win in 10 Premier League games [6]. The managerial upheaval extends beyond the touchline, with the Lewis family having sacked Daniel Levy in September 2025, whilst sporting director Fabio Paratici returned in October 2025 only to depart for Fiorentina in January 2026 [5].
Key Players Missing as Team Selection Dilemmas Mount
Tudor faces significant selection challenges ahead of tonight’s 20:00 GMT kick-off [1]. Djed Spence remains sidelined for the Crystal Palace fixture, though Tudor hopes he will return to face Atletico Madrid [1]. The continued absence of Destiny Udogie and Dejan Kulusevski compounds the manager’s problems [1], whilst James Maddison and Kulusevski have not played competitively this season due to surgeries conducted last summer [5]. Teenage Brazilian left-back Souza may be handed his first start since completing a £13 million move from Santos [3], as Tudor considers changes to a team that struggled in their 2-1 defeat to Fulham on Sunday, 1 March 2026 [2]. Goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario’s recent performances have attracted criticism, with supporters calling for Antonin Kinsky to start in goal [3].
Crystal Palace Arrive With Their Own Injury Concerns
Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner brings his own set of personnel issues to North London. Jefferson Lerma has returned to the squad but is not ready to start, with Glasner revealing: “Jefferson Lerma is back in the squad but not ready to start…It’s quite early, but if we need him for 15-20 minutes at the end we have him” [1]. Jean-Philippe Mateta continues his recovery from a knee issue and aims to return after tonight’s match, with plans for him “to be partly integrated next Monday [9 March 2026] in the team training for the Larnaca game” [1]. Maxence Lacroix remains suspended due to a red card [1], whilst Eddie Nketiah is not expected to be available before April [1]. Despite these setbacks, Palace showed resilience in their previous victory against Wolves, keeping a clean sheet [1].