Crystal Palace vs Arsenal Best Bet Preview

Josh Ingram is here to oversee a Crystal Palace vs Arsenal at Selhurst Park as Arsenal attempts to claw back the gap to the top two. Playing the same side in the space of a few days is never easy, and if there was a choice, you can be sure Mikel Arteta would want to come up trumps in the Premier League fixture.

Selhurst Park will be rocking on Saturday evening. Considering recent results, Crystal Palace are one of the most in form sides in the division, with a real upturn in performances. Defensively, Arsenal haven’t been at their imperious best, and Palace will have chances to grab a goal and put pressure on the Gunners. 

Crystal Palace vs Arsenal Best Bet: No clean sheets in sight

England, Premier League, Saturday, December 21st, 17:30 (UK)

These two meet twice in the space of a few days. I’m writing this before the first clash in the cup (edit – 3-2 Arsenal win), which is a massive game for both, as Mikel Arteta’s side hasn’t won a trophy since his first season at the club. Both might rotate players, but not to the extent that the previous rounds warrant. So, it should be two back-to-back clashes of reasonably strong elevens. 

Facing Crystal Palace a few weeks ago would have been a relatively easy fixture for the Gunners. They would have swatted them away with no questions asked. Now, the Eagles are soaring at a different altitude, beating teams and gathering points against sides they wouldn’t have done in their torrid opening ten games. They’re five games unbeaten now with only one defeat in nine games in all competitions. Oliver Glasner has got them playing better and better, week after week. The only negative is the number of draws in this period, but considering how they started the season, it can’t be looked at too harshly. 

This run of form has seen both teams score in five of their last seven games, and they’ve managed to start finding the net at a more regular rate. Putting two past City, Villa and most recently, three past their rivals Brighton. This upturn in the number of goals scored has coincided with increased numbers from all over the squad, with Trevor Chalobah, Marc Guehi, and Daniel Munoz scoring twice already this season. Sarr seems to have finally found his feet, with a sensational performance capped off by two goals and an assist – having a hand in all three goals against Brighton. 

Arsenal haven’t been at their best this season. Only winning 50% of their Premier League games so far, they are on course for just 71 points. They are a more fallible outfit than they have been for a couple of years. In half of all their league games, both sides found the net with parity in their record home and away in this regard. As of late, in their last three Premier League away games, they have conceded, including two 1-1 draws away at Fulham and Chelsea. Arsenal only has six clean sheets to their name this season.

In forward areas, in regard to big chances created per 90, both average above two. Palace is creating 2.06, while the Gunners are creating 2.75 per 90. The Gunners failed to score at the weekend, but it was a valiant display by an Everton side who defended exceptionally all game. It’s not a regular occurrence for this Arsenal team to fail to score, as it has only happened in five of 24 games in all competitions this season. 

Realistically, can Palace break down Arsenal? Their performances in recent weeks suggest they could find the net in what should be a tight affair. This bet is leaning upon the fragility that Arsenal has experienced in recent weeks, whilst backing a Palace outfit looking more like the mid-table team from the back end of last season. 

• Crystal Palace vs Arsenal Best Bet: Both teams to score
• Best Odds: 1.80
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 10/10 (TRACKED BET) 

 Crystal Palace vs Arsenal Best Bet odds via bet365 as at 12:00, December 17th, 2024. Odds may now differ.

Crystal Palace vs Arsenal Injuries, Team News and Possible Lineups Prediction: Munoz to miss out and defensive uncertainty for Arsenal

Daniel Munoz has had an impressive few weeks, but the only blot on his copybook is the accumulation of yellow cards that have resulted in a suspension of one Premier League game, with the possibility of Nathaniel Clyne being put in at right wing-back. A couple of players could be back in the squad for the EFL Cup clash. Neither Joel Ward nor Adam Wharton could make the squad for the game against Brighton but could be on the bench for this one. Chadi Riad and Matheus Franca are both still definitely out and have been for some time.

Mikel Arteta will no doubt ring the changes for their clash in the EFL cup quarter-final, likely giving some players who have been heavily relied upon some much-needed rest. Rice and Odegaard were subbed at the weekend and should both be rested midweek, meaning they will start the Premier League game. Arsenal have had to start many combinations at the back this season; Saturday saw Myles Lewis-Skelly start his first Premier League game, and due to the host of injuries, it could be a similar story once more. A few defenders, such as Takehiro Tomiyasu and Ben White, are out injured. Also, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Riccardo Calafiori weren’t fit enough for the Toffees, and there is doubt that they can make the bench for this clash. 

Crystal Palace possible starting lineup:
Henderson; Chalobah, Lacroix, Guehi; Clyne, Hughes, Lerma, Mitchell; Eze, Sarr; Mateta

Arsenal possible starting lineup:
Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Odegaard, Rice, Merino; Saka, Havertz, Martinelli

Match OPTA Stats: Arsenal domination in recent years

• Crystal Palace has only won once in the past ten Premier League games, which was a 3-0 Palace win at Selhurst Park in the 2021/22 season. 
• In the past five Premier League games, the aggregate score between the two was 15-1 for Arsenal. This is helped by the 5-0 demolition Palace suffered last season.
• Bukayo Saka leads the assist table with ten and is also Arsenal’s top scorer with five league goals.

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