Boxing Day football is a lovely tradition in England but this year it’s proving ever so tiring for everyone involved. Crystal Palace’s game at Tottenham has been cast in doubt early on Sunday morning with several Eagles testing positive to Covid. The game was confirmed to be on but one of the most important participants won’t be there at Tottenham Stadium.Manager Patrick Vieira will miss the all-London encounter after testing positive. The Selhurst Park side have announced that assistant manager Osian Roberts will lead the team in Vieira’s absence.We can confirm that Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira is self-isolating after returning a positive test for Covid-19, and will be absent from the touchline for today’s match against Spurs.Assistant manager Osian Roberts will deputise for Vieira for today’s match.#CPFC pic.twitter.com/nBNmkLlxMG— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) December 26, 2021 In his pre-match comments, the former Arsenal, Manchester City and Inter midfielder spoke about the difficult situation the football family finds itself yet again.”It’s about trying to understand the guidance and rules about why we play or not – why does this team and not that team play? We understand the covid situation and some clubs are hit but every situation is different. There is not clear guidance or rules about why those games have been cancelled. The situation is not clear enough. We had a couple of cases in our football club in the last couple of days. We try our best to prevent the situation but it is worrying because the evolution for the next couple of days we don’t know how it will go.”There have already been three Boxing Day fixtures postponed, with Leeds’ trip to Liverpool, Wolves’ visit of Watford and Everton’s game against Burnley all called off due to covid outbreaks.No sulking, pouting nor hiding: Conte believes that Kane is completely dedicated to SpursPalace sit 11th in the Premier League and have only won one of their previous five matches. Tottenham, meanwhile, are on a good run of form under Antonio Conte and are unbeaten in their last five games, winning three and drawing two.ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE – ROUND 19Liverpool – Leeds United POSTPONEDWolverhampton – Watford POSTPONEDBurnley – Everton POSTPONEDSundaySun 16:00: (1.75) Tottenham (3.70) Crystal Palace (5.40)Sun 16:00: (1.22) Man.City (7.75) Leicester (13.0)Sun 16:00: (1.95) West Ham (3.60) Southampton (4.20)Sun 16:00: (7.25) Norwich (4.50) Arsenal (1.50)Sun 18:30: (5.20) Aston Villa (3.60) Chelsea (1.80)Sun 21:00: (2.05) Brighton (3.40) Brentford (4.10)**odds are subject to change
