Palace v Tottenham Hotspur

Selhurst Park, Sunday 1.30pm

Ian Holloway

Team news

Summer signing Jerome Thomas is out for two weeks after picking up an ankle injury in the friendly with Lazio and fellow winger Yannick Bolasie has a hamstring injury.

Captain Paddy McCarthy (groin) is back in training but is not ready to start while Glenn Murray (knee) is out until the end of the year.

Tottenham's talisman Gareth Bale is sidelined with a foot problem. Defender Jan Vertonghen has an ankle knock and is a doubt and midfielder Lewis Holtby has a knee injury.

Striker Emmanuel Adebayor will not be named in the squad as he only returned from compassionate leave this week. Midfielder Scott Parker is in talks with other clubs about leaving, so will also be left out.

Quotes

Roy Hodgson

"The optimism from the crowd will be immense, we have a great game against Tottenham on Sunday.

"It will be tough on against Tottenham but we need to believe we can get a result. Home performances are absolutely vital in this division.

"I think we can pop the odd surprise away from home but we will have to very dogged against Tottenham. We want to get off to a decent start. We need to keep clean sheets.

Andre Villas Boas

[Speaking about whether Gareth Bale will be available for the match against Palace] "No, because he's been out injured for most of pre-season."

"I think the most natural thing is to see him not involved against Palace."

Goalkeeper Hugo Lloris

"We are all happy to start the Premier League after a good preparation and now it's important to start with a good result,"

"We know it won't be an easy game because Palace have just been promoted and they will try to find the confidence to get the most points possible.

"They will be excited at the first game and I'm sure it will be a great atmosphere.

"We have to be ready, to concentrate, to do our jobs and put together a good performance."

Defender Michael Dawson

"Palace are back in the Premier League and it’s the opening day, a fixture everyone always looks forward to. I’m sure it will be a battle and we have to be ready for it. The real work starts now.

Tottenham Hotspur - league stats

Full league table

Last five results

Date	Type	Home Team	Score	Away Team
22/01/2005	League	Crystal Palace	3 - 0	Tottenham Hotspur
28/12/2004	League	Tottenham Hotspur	1 - 1	Crystal Palace
03/01/2004	FA Cup	Tottenham Hotspur	3 - 0	Crystal Palace
28/03/1998	League	Crystal Palace	1 - 3	Tottenham Hotspur
24/11/1997	League	Tottenham Hotspur	0 - 1	Crystal Palace

All time results

One to watch

Roberto Soldado

Spurs paid £26 million to bring the form Valencia striker to White Hart Lane.

He scored 30 goals in all competitions for Valencia last season.

Ref watch

Mark Clattenburg was embroiled in a scandal last season when he was alleged to have used "inappropriate language" towards Chelsea's John Obi Mikel.

He was later cleared of any wrong doing.

Last meeting

Palace 3-0 Tottenham Hotspur

Saturday January 22 2005

Palace: Kiraly, Boyce, Hall, Sorondo, Granville, Routledge, Leigertwood, Hughes, Soares (Borrowdale, 88), Johnson (Andrews, 88), Freedman

Subs not used: Speroni, Powell, Lakis

Goals: Leigertwood 66, Granville 70, Johnson 77(pen)

Bookings: Hughes

Tottenham Hotspur: Robinson, Pamarot (Yeates, 72), King, Naybet, Edman, Marney (Kelly, 82), Carrick, Pedro Mendes, Ziegler (Atouba, 44), Defoe, Keane

Subs not used: Gardner, Eyre

Bookings: Marney, Pamarot

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