Underperforming Tottenham Hotspur host Crystal Palace
At risk of setting a new record for their longest-ever Premier League winless run, Tottenham Hotspur host Crystal Palace today in their third straight London derby.
The Lilywhites are now without a victory in 10 top-flight games after Sunday’s 2-1 loss to Fulham, although their visitors also suffered defeat by the same scoreline to Manchester United last time out.
Two games into his reign and Igor Tudor may have already had his Antonio Conte moment, having refused to hold back in an incendiary press conference following Sunday’s excruciating loss at Craven Cottage.
The Croatian was understandably aggrieved at an apparent push from Raul Jimenez on Radu Dragusin going unpunished – one week on from Randal Kolo Muani being penalised for a similar incident against Arsenal – but he then lamented the “amazing” situation in which his team are ‘lacking’ in all thirds of the field.
Tudor’s scathing assessment was not inaccurate given that Tottenham are still the only team without a Premier League win in 2026, and Sunday’s failure saw them equal their longest streak without success in the competition.
However, reeling from four straight losses in the top division, no team is on a worse run of form than Tottenham at present, but there are no prizes for remembering who their most recent Premier League victory came against.
Thursday’s tussle will pit together two managers destined to move on at the end of the season, as while Tudor’s days at Tottenham are very likely numbered, Oliver Glasner‘s at Crystal Palace undoubtedly are.
Predicting Tottenham to win a Premier League game in 2026 has been nigh on impossible so far, but the stage is set for the Lilywhites to finally turn their fortunes around – at least for 90 minutes.
Richarlison and Tel have shown potential up top, and with an inconsistent Palace missing the indispensable Lacroix, Tudor could make it third time lucky.
Credit: sportsmole.co.uk
Lyon, Lens faceoff in Coupe de France quarter-finals
The last Coupe de France quarter-final this year may be the most highly anticipated one, as second and third in Ligue 1 square off when Lens travel to Groupama Stadium to face Lyon on Thursday.
It has become a familiar sight to see Lyon feature at this stage of the Coupe de France or further, with this team earning a comfortable triumph versus Stade Lavallois last month.
Paulo Fonseca’s men have given up just one goal in three tournament matches this year, earning a place in the final eight for the seventh time in the last eight editions.
In four of their previous five appearances at this stage of the competition, they have advanced, ousting Strasbourg on penalties the last time they were here in 2024.
Lyon have won their last nine home matches across all competitions, conceding no goals in their previous three such games.
Their title aspirations have taken a hit over the past two weeks, but Lens look like strong contenders to lift this trophy for the first time in club history.
Pierre Sage has guided them into the quarter-finals of this tournament for only the second time in the last eight editions, scoring a combined 10 goals in their three games.
The former Lyon boss has only suffered one defeat in his last nine away matches across all competitions, losing 3-1 at Marseille in late January.
At the same time, they have dropped points in their last two Ligue 1 affairs, going from the top of the table to four points behind Paris Saint-Germain for first.
In six of their previous seven Coupe de France outings away from home, Lens have advanced, winning those two games this season as the visitors by a combined margin of 7-2.
At Lens, Regis Gurtner and Samson Baidoo are still struggling with hamstring problems, while Jonathan Gradit is dealing with a lower leg injury.
Meanwhile, Ruben Aguilar is questionable with a sore calf, as is fellow defender Kyllian Antonio because of a foot issue.
These are defensively sound units who are incredibly poised and patient, and though there is little to choose between them, we believe Lens will be a little hungrier to get their coach a win against his former team.
Credit: sportsmole.co.uk
Maguire given reduced 15-month suspended sentence
Manchester United defender Harry Maguire has been handed a 15-month suspended sentence by a Greek court following an incident on the island of Mykonos in August 2020.
England international Maguire was given a suspended sentence of 21 months and 10 days in prison in 2020, after initially being found guilty of repeated bodily harm, attempted bribery, violence against public employees and insult.
The following day Maguire’s legal team lodged an appeal against the verdict. In accordance with Greek law, the appeal nullified his conviction and meant there would be a full retrial.
The retrial was postponed on four occasions between 2023 and 2025, before it restarted in Syros on Wednesday.
It concluded that Maguire was guilty of non-serious assault, resisting arrest and attempted bribery.
In accordance with the reduced severity of the defender’s crimes, Maguire’s sentence was reduced to 15 months.
Sources have told BBC Sport that Maguire denies wrongdoing and plans to appeal to the Supreme Court.
Maguire has rejected a number of opportunities to settle the case out of court, as he is determined to clear his name legally.
Credit: bbc
Galatasaray fans banned from Liverpool second leg
Galatasaray fans have been banned from the club’s Champions League visit to Liverpool later this month following crowd disturbances during their game with Juventus in the previous round.
European governing body Uefa said supporters of the Turkish club had thrown objects and lit fireworks during the last-16 play-off tie second leg in Turin on 25 February.
Despite losing 3-2 on the night, they progressed 7-5 on aggregate and will host the Merseysiders in Istanbul next Tuesday (17:45 GMT) with the return leg to be staged at Anfield on 18 March (20:00).
However, Uefa has banned the Super Lig leaders from selling tickets to supporters for the away trip and also fined them 40,000 euros (£34,800).
In a statement, Galatasaray said they would appeal against the punishment.
Credit: bbc
Premier League Tottenham Hotspur 20:00 Crystal Palace
Coupe de France
