Three to watch | Palace
Continuing our new feature for 2026/27, where we'll select three players from our opponents to keep a close eye on.
Next up, Crystal Palace make the trip from SE25 to N17 for our latest derby in the Premier League at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this evening (5.30pm UK).
It's been a tough time of late for the Eagles, with a 5-0 loss against Brighton and 2-0 defeat against Newcastle last weekend. However, things took an upturn in midweek with victory in another derby, this time in the Carabao Cup at Fulham.
Tyrick Mitchell
Selected by The Athletic's Palace writer Matt Woosnam as Palace's most eye-catching performer this season, Mitchell has added more offensive threat to his defensive quality this season - he already has two goals in his eight PL appearances this season. Matt watches Palace every week, and had this to say: "He's progressed even further under Sage. He's such an important player and he's been at Palace a long time, came through the Academy, established himself and has been a really crucial part of the team."
Adam Wharton
Described by Clive Allen as 'top class' in his preview earlier this week, Wharton is Palace's 'quarter-back' in midfield, happy to take the ball under pressure and pick out the key, progressive passes from the central areas. However, with Pierre Sage playing a higher, more pressing style this season and Quinten Timber looking to push on, Matt Woosnam feels Wharton has been somewhat isolated at times. "He has been exposed to having lots of players around him, so it's been difficult for him, but he's one Palace really want to get firing."
Daichi Kamada
A regular at Palace since his arrival from Lazio in 2024, the Japan international (57 caps) is a bundle of energy, playing mostly in the front three behind Jorgen Strand Larsen or, last time out, alongside Wharton in central midfield with Timber missing - that could be the case again today. Key to Palace's press, Kamada will often run 12km+ in the 90 minutes - also, look out for his late runs into the box - another potential threat - he has three goals in 12 appearances in all competitions this season.