Premier League Preview: Arsenal vs. Crystal Palace
After a thrilling five-goal match in Wednesday’s EFL Cup quarter-finals, Crystal Palace and Arsenal face off again on Saturday evening (local time) at Selhurst Park in a highly anticipated Premier League clash. This London derby is their final game before Christmas, as both sides will aim to close the year on a high.
Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal emerged victorious in midweek, securing a 3-2 win thanks to a sensational hat-trick from Brazilian forward Gabriel Jesus. Despite controversy over Jesus’s second goal – which might have been ruled offside if VAR were in play – the Gunners advanced to the semi-finals of a competition they have not won in three decades (their second and last League Cup title was won in 1993, when Arsenal went on to lift the trophy after a semi-final victory over Crystal Palace).
Selhurst Park hosted Palace’s last victory over Arsenal, a memorable 3-0 triumph in April 2022, with the Gunners now on a five-game winning streak over their opponents in all competitions.
Arsenal Betting Preview
Mikel Arteta’s men were left frustrated by a goalless stalemate against Everton last weekend. It was their third league draw from eight games at the Emirates this season, but Arsenal face mounting pressure, particularly given their recent away struggles.
Arsenal responded to recent Premier League draws against Everton and Fulham in ideal fashion, showcasing their offensive prowess. However, their inability to capitalize on Liverpool’s recent setbacks means they remain six points adrift of the league leaders, with Arsenal having played an extra game. Still, the Gunners boast a nine-game unbeaten streak across all competitions (since a 1-0 defeat at Inter Milan in the Champions League prior to last month’s international break)
The Gunners secured just one victory (a 5-2 success over West Ham United) in their last six Premier League road trips (3 draws and 2 defeats), with a concerning pattern of conceding in every one of those matches – their longest streak without an away clean sheet in five years.
Despite their struggles, Arsenal can draw confidence from their stellar record in London derbies. They remain unbeaten in all-capital clashes in 2024 (7-2-0) and are on the verge of completing a calendar year without losing a London derby – a feat unmatched since Chelsea’s 2005 run.
Arsenal are expected to welcome back pivotal midfielder Declan Rice, who was rested midweek, but several defenders remain unavailable. Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu are sidelined with knee injuries, and Oleksandr Zinchenko continues to recover from a muscle issue. Kieran Tierney made his return from a long-term absence on Wednesday but may not start consecutive matches. Thus, Myles Lewis-Skelly could step into the left-back role.
Up front, it was Gabriel Jesus who stole the spotlight on Wednesday with a stunning hat-trick, continuing his excellent personal record against current opponents. However, the Brazilian may have to settle for a place on the bench at Selhurst Park, with Arteta expected to recall the attacking trio of Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Martinelli.
Crystal Palace Betting Preview
Meanwhile, Crystal Palace have shown signs of resurgence under Oliver Glasner, despite their loss in midweek. The Eagles had enjoyed a five-match unbeaten run previously. However, they remain precariously positioned in 15th place, only four points above the relegation zone.
Crystal Palace have endured a tough spell against Arsenal, losing their last four Premier League encounters with the Gunners. Turning the tide on home soil won’t be straightforward, especially as the Eagles have managed just one league victory at Selhurst Park this season (1-4-3 record) – the second worst record in the devision, following even worse home form of Southampton, Wolves and Ipswich Town (four points each).
However, Oliver Glasner’s side have shown steady improvement over the past weeks, suffering just one defeat in their last eight Premier League matches (winning three of them). After a morale-boosting 3-1 victory at Brighton in so-called A23 derby last Sunday, Palace are now chasing back-to-back league wins for the first time since May – a moment when Glasner’s men were arguably one of the most impressive sides in the Premier League.
Selhurst Park has not been a fortress this season, with Palace winning just one Premier League home game – a 2-1 triumph over the other North London giant Tottenham Hotspur.
Suspension rules out Daniel Munoz, while the likes of Rob Holding, Chadi Riad, Adam Wharton and Matheus Franca all remain unavailable for various reasons. However, Joel Ward could make a timely return from a calf issue, and Nathaniel Clyne is expected to start after being rested midweek.
Meanwhile, former Arsenal academy graduate Eddie Nketiah, who made the switch to Selhurst Park this summer, has yet to score in the Premier League across 11 appearances for Crystal Palace. However, he did break his drought after he was introduced as a second-half substitute with a goal against his former club in midweek.
Despite Nketiah’s header, Jean-Philippe Mateta is expected to keep his starting spot in attack, though the former has more to prove against his ex-club.
Possible Starting Lineups of Crystal Palace and Arsenal
Crystal Palace: Dean Henderson – Trevoh Chalobah, Maxence Lacroix, Marc Guehi – Nathaniel Clyne, Will Hughes, Cheick Doucoure, Tyrick Mitchell – Ismaila Sarr, Eberechi Eze – Jean-Philippe Mateta. (3-4-2-1)
Arsenal: David Raya – Jurrien Timber, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, Myles Lewis-Skelly – Martin Odegaard, Thomas Partey, Declan Rice – Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli. (4-3-3)
Spooky Express Betting Prediction
It remains to be seen whether the holiday spirit will linger in South London with Crystal Palace or travel northward to Arsenal’s territory. As the Gunners aim to spread festive cheer with three points from Selhurst Park, the Eagles will be determined to keep the celebrations on their home turf, setting the stage for a compelling pre-Christmas London derby.
EveryGame odds reflect Arsenal’s dominance, with the Gunners favored at -182 to claim all three points at Selhurst Park. Meanwhile, Crystal Palace are priced at +550 to pull off an upset, and the odds of a draw stand at +300 pre-round.
For bettors expecting another high-scoring affair, the odds for Over 2.5 Goals are set at -120, while Over 3.5 Goals is available at +210. Still, our top suggestion on Both Teams to Score (Yes) is listed at -111, making it a strong option given the Gunner’s defensive vulnerabilities away from the Emirates and Crystal Palace’s attacking potential at home.
Crystal Palace have alternated between wins (3) and losses (4) in their last seven Premier League London derbies at Selhurst Park. Their most recent capital derby ended in a 2-0 defeat to Fulham last month, adding extra intrigue to Saturday’s showdown. Arsenal’s form and firepower suggest they should secure another victory, but Palace’s ability to trouble their visitors, as seen midweek, keeps this derby compellingly unpredictable.
Spooky Express Free Play: Both Teams to Score – Yes -111 at EveryGame for 7/10 Units
