The Blues entered the international break sitting seventh in the table, while the Eagles are nine places and four points worse off than their upcoming opponents.
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The Blues head into this tie following a 1-1 draw with Real Madrid in the Champions League, while Scott Parker’s side were denied all three points against Arsenal in heartbreaking fashion.
The hosts currently sit fifth in the table, where Arsenal would have expected to be – while Mikel Arteta’s men sit in mid-table obscurity, where West Ham were overwhelmingly predicted to finish.
Arsenal are currently 10th in the table, having picked up just 38 points from 27 matches this season, while Tottenham occupy seventh, five points behind fourth-placed Chelsea with a game in hand.
Spurs fans were allowed back to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for the first time since March following the government’s easing of COVID-19 restrictions, and were treated to a fine performance from Jose Mourinho’s men.
In contrast, Scott Parker’s men finally managed to register a win in the top flight as they overcame West Bromwich Albion 2-0 on Monday night.
Hodgson returns with his Palace side having picked up seven points from their five games so far, whereas Scott Parker – more than 33 years his opposite number’s junior – is looking to lift Fulham off the foot of the table.
Jose Mourinho’s men thumped Manchester United 6-1 at Old Trafford to climb up to sixth in the Premier League, one point better off than London rivals West Ham, who are also in good form.