Crystal Palace vs Arsenal Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Just three days after doing battle in the League Cup quarter-finals at Emirates Stadium, London rivals Crystal Palace and Arsenal face off again, this time at Selhurst Park.
Kick-off date/time: Saturday 21st December, 2024: UK – 5:30pm / US ET – 12:30pm / US PT – 9:30am
How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports / US – NBC
How to watch online: UK – Sky Go / US – nbc.com
Crystal Palace Preview: Opportunity missed in midweek
The feeling will be one of extreme frustration for Oliver Glasner as Crystal Palace’s wait for a major trophy will go on after they were knocked out of the League Cup by none other than Arsenal in the last eight. It could’ve been different after the Eagles took the lead inside the opening five minutes through Jean-Philippe Mateta. But a second-half collapse proved their downfall and a late Eddie Nketiah goal against his old club was merely a consolation in a 3-2 defeat.
In the Premier League, Palace are unbeaten in their last five and have picked up seven points from the last nine available to them, most recently beating fierce rivals Brighton 1-3 in the Seagulls’ own backyard. A rare Trevor Chalobah goal was backed up by an Ismaila Sarr double.
Arsenal Preview: Getting back to winning ways a priority
Arsenal failing to win each of their last two Premier League fixtures, picking up just two points from a possible six has fortunately not cost them any ground due to table toppers Liverpool also drawing their most recent two league games. But Mikel Arteta knows that his side won’t get away with many more slip-ups and need to improve their cutting edge.
Their League Cup quarter-final clash against the same opposition they face here served as a much-needed test for Arteta’s squad, who fell behind early on and trailed at half-time. But a different Arsenal side came out after the break, taking control and racking up three goals, ultimately winning 3-2.
Crystal Palace Team News: Glasner rules out Eze
Eberechi Eze played through a swollen foot at the Emirates and after suffering a further knock has been given a rest by his boss ahead of a busy Christmas schedule. Elsewhere, Adam Wharton and Matheus Franca are both still out, whilst right-wing-back Daniel Munoz is suspended after picking up five yellow cards.
Full-back Joel Ward was named on the bench in midweek and despite not featuring should be available again here, although centre-back Chadi Riad’s fitness status is less certain.
Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Henderson; Chalobah, Lacroix, Guehi; Clyne, Hughes, Lerma, Mitchell; Sarr, Kamada; Mateta
Unavailable: Franca (Injured), Munoz (Suspended), Wharton (Injured), Eze (Injured)
Questionable: Holding (Out of favour), Ward (Injured), Riad (Fitness)
Arsenal Team News: Calafiori and Rice back for Gunners
After sitting out in midweek, expect Declan Rice back in the Arsenal starting line-up after he was declared fit and available by Arteta. The Gunners boss also confirmed the availability of Italian Riccardo Calafiori, who will likely come in at left-back with Timber on the right and Thomas Partey in midfield.
The only two confirmed injury absentees for the visitors are defenders Takehiro Tomiyasu and Ben White, whilst Gabriel Jesus may be forced to settle for a place on the bench again, despite his hat-trick against the same opposition on Wednesday.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Odegaard, Partey, Rice; Saka, Havertz, Martinelli
Unavailable: Tomiyasu (Injured), White (Injured)
Questionable: Zinchenko (Fitness)
Crystal Palace vs Arsenal Prediction
The Eagles gave Arsenal a real fright in their League Cup contest, a testament as to their recent progress under Glasner. In the end though, the Gunners proved too good and their strength-in-depth really comes into play here three days later, with Crystal Palace forced to field many of the same players whilst Arteta was able to rest a number of his key men from the start on Wednesday, instead bringing them off the bench to impact the game.
Arsenal are under pressure after dropping points in each of their last two league matches, but they are too strong a side to stay down for long. At their best, they can beat any team in the country and you’d expect them to be fired up for this one. Back the visitors to complete a quickfire double over Palace.
Crystal Palace vs Arsenal Tip: Arsenal to win
