Andre Villas-Boas
Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas acknowledged Real Madrid's interest in his top player Gareth Bale. Reuters

For their first match since promotion to the Premier Leuage, Crystal Palace have drawn formidable Tottenham for Sunday’s match at Selhurst Park.

A foot injury means Gareth Bale won’t take the pitch for Andre Villas-Boas’s side, but that should give some more time to latest transfer additions in midfielders Etienne Capoue and Paulinho.

Bale isn’t expected to return until the end of August, though a transfer to Real Madrid for as much as £86 million has been rumored all summer. Villas-Boas has acknowledged the Spanish side’s interest, but still wants the Welshman to stay.

"Speculation has arisen with the player because of the quality that he has and the season that he had, the amazing moments of individual brilliance,” AVB said to The Independent. "Ideally, we would like the player to continue belonging to Tottenham. We are aware that Real Madrid are interested. It doesn't mean that we are willing to negotiate."

As for the Eagles, they will welcome newest scorer Dwight Gayle into the fold, while Glenn Murray sits for Ian Holloway’s side. Striker Marouane Chamakh is also expected to play after a loan switch from Arsenal earlier this month.

Tottenham’s Lewis Holtby also has a knee injury and is out, and Emmanuel Adebayor has did not train for most of the week and isn’t expected to play.

Crystal Palace (probable)

G: Speroni

D: Moxey, Delaney, Gabbidon, Ward

M: Garvan, Jedinak, Garvan

F: Chamakh, Gayle Grandin

Tottenham (probable)

G: Lloris

D: Rose, Kaboul, Dawson, Walker

M: Chadli, Dembele, Sigurdsson, Paulinho, Lennon

F: Soldado

Prediction: Tottenham 2-0 Crystal Palace

Where to watch: The match will kick-off at 8:30 a.m. ET. Coverage will be provided by NBC, with a live stream available on NBC Sports Extra.