Crystal Palace vs Arsenal Prediction: Gunners to defeat the Eagles again

Days after their Carabao Cup meeting, Crystal Palace and Arsenal collide in the Premier League on Saturday (17:30, Sky Sports Main Event) at Selhurst Park. Palace may have lost to the Gunners in the week but they recorded an emphatic 3-1 victory over rivals Brighton & Hove Albion last Sunday.

Arsenal played out a goalless draw with Everton on home soil in their last league outing, and they will be be looking for a response in south London. Read on for my Crystal Palace vs Arsenal prediction, including the latest team news and match odds.

Crystal Palace vs Arsenal Odds

Crystal Palace are 5/1, which has an implied probability of 16.7%, to win this match. Arsenal are 3/5 (62.5%) to come away with the three points, but they have won just three of their eight away games to date.

The draw is available at 3/1 (25%), and there have been four stalemates in eight league games at Selhurst Park this season.

Over 3.5 goals has been a winning selection in Palace's last two Premier League matches, and it is on offer at 2/1 on Saturday.

Football Odds

Team News

Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton could be in line to make his first appearance since October. The youngster had groin surgery and it was hoped he could have a role to play against the Gunners in midweek, but he was not included in the squad. There is hope he could be involved this weekend, but if he is, it will likely be from the bench.

Matheus Franca is still in rehab from the groin injury he suffered, which came after he initially admitted to the infirmary with a rib fracture. Chadi Riad (fitness) and Rob Holding (disciplinary) are the other absentees for the Eagles.

Defender Joel Ward has been having problems with his calf and is unlikely to be involved on Wednesday. He has made just one appearance this season and this came against Norwich City in the second round of the Carabao Cup, and that amounted to just 11 minutes.

Boss Oliver Glasner will likely go with the same front three that played the other night. Jean-Philippe Mateta will lead the line, and he will be feeling confident after scoring against the visitors on Wednesday.

He will be aided by Eberechi Eze and Ismaila Sarr, with the latter bagging a brace against the Seagulls last weekend. Will Hughes and Jefferson Lerma are expected to work in the engine room again, supported by Daniel Munoz and Tyrick Mitchell as the wing-backs.

For Arsenal, Riccardo Calafiori, Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu remain out with knee injuries, while Oleksandr Zinchenko has a muscle problem, and is set to miss out again.

Kieran Tierney, who made his first Arsenal appearance in over year, started in midweek but came off with cramp. It is unlikely he would have been in contention for this weekend.

Kai Havertz and Gabriel Martinelli are expected to return to the front three to support Bukayo Saka. Mikel Arteta could have food for thought, however, as Gabriel Jesus netted a hat-trick against Palace on Wednesday. The Brazilian could be pushing to keep his place in the attacking trident.

Declan Rice wasn't in the cup squad the other night but he's expected to come straight back into the XI at Selhurst Park, as well as Martin Odegaard. Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba's partnership at the back should be restored, supported by Jurrien Timber and possibly Myles Lewis-Skelly as the full-backs.

Arsenal and both teams to score @ 23/10

Arsenal have not had as much joy as they would have liked on the road this season, but I think they can improve their fortunes against Palace. They head into this clash with a psychological advantage, having defeated the hosts just days ago.

Their last trip in the Premier League saw them held to a draw by Fulham, but the previous away fixture saw them destroy West Ham United 5-2. There has been a lot of talk about their shortcomings in the final third in recent weeks, and they are yet to score a goal from open play in the league.

Set-pieces have been a huge asset for them but in a title race, it will only take you so far. They need to improve and quickly. They will be pleased by the goals that were scored in midweek, and will be hoping for another free-flowing display in SE25.

The Gunners were able to rest more of their key players than Palace which should play into their hands on Saturday. I think they will be able to come away with the three points because they need to deliver after the disappointing result against Everton, and a win to kickstart the busy festive period could set them up nicely.

I like the look of backing them to win and both teams to score, not only because this was the outcome in their meeting just a few days ago, but also as this selection has landed in three of Arsenal's league wins to date this term.

Bukayo Saka anytime goalscorer @ 8/5

I'm hoping it will be third time lucky with this selection. I have previewed Arsenal's last two matches and in both of them I have backed Saka to get on the scoresheet. It is yet to be successful but I still have faith.

The winger has scored two goals in nine career appearances against Palace. It may not be the best career return but he will be eager to change that after going three league games without a goal.

His tally in the top flight stands at five currently, and after bagging 16 last term, he has a lot of work to do to surpass that total. Saka will be desperate to help his team back to winning ways in the Premier League after two consecutive draws has given them more work to do in the title race.

I am of the opinion that I could have gone for another player to score here and he'd wind up getting on the scoresheet, so I feel on this occasion I must put my faith in him again.

Offers

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