Crystal Palace vs Arsenal Lineups, Preview, Prediction and Team News | Premier League, December 21, 2024

Crystal Palace vs Arsenal Preview

• Tournament: Premier League
• Date: Saturday, Dec 21
• Kick-off Time: 07:30 PM
• Venue: Selhurst Park Stadium

Do we get a re-do of Wednesday’s fixture this weekend as Crystal Palace hosts the Gunners this Saturday?

The five-goal extravaganza had surely given their fans a run for their money. While Arteta’s team was victorious with a 3-2 win against Palace this Wednesday, the stadium was up on its feet until the full-time whistle.

Thanks to Gabriel Jesus, Mikel Arteta was able to take his team to the semis. But will the fortune be in the favour of the Spaniard? Only time will tell.

If you think waiting in line for a season ticket for your home team has become difficult, wait till you hear that it was actually one year since Gabriel Jesus scored a goal in the Emirates Stadium.  In Wednesday’s fixture, he finally ended that drought, and what a great time it was to do it!

The match had all sorts of dramas and it is extra heated due to them facing back to back in a 3-day span.  It was believed by the fans that if VAR was in operation, the Brazilian’s second goal would have been canceled. But with the doors of Stockley Park closed for the EFL Cup, The Gunners have solidified their spot in the Semis of the competition that they haven’t won in recent years.

While the League Topper Liverpool have dropped points for a couple of matches, Arsenal has failed to capitalize on it due to their own poor performance in the League lately. On the other hand, Chelsea have risen through the ranks and at the second position of the table behind Liverpool, who they plan on giving a tough competition. However, the Merseyside Giants are one game short of the rest of the clubs apart from Everton as their fixture was postponed to February.

Speaking of the League, the Gunners might enter double figures in the League’s London Debbie’s without defeat. In their last 9 competitions, they have won seven matches and drawn two. A comparatively better Crystal Park squad had kept Arteta’s team in arm’s length on Wednesday evening. However, while both teams had introduced some changes, the second half was all to play for both teams.

Irrespective of the result, Glasner gave a tough competition to Arsenal. Even though the quarter-final of the EFL Cup will go down as a loss for Crystal Palace, their performance against the Gunners was a massive improvement over how they have begun their season.

Their unbeaten streak in competitions was looking to be intact. But that was until the Gunners rained over the parade. Their last couple of matches have seen them reach higher ranks in the table yet they are still close to the relegation places.

A few bad performances and they would have to do it all over again as they are only four points clear of the relegation zone. Their only win at home came against the Gunner’s biggest rival Tottenham Hotspur. Palace are certainly looking to add another home win this Saturday.

Selhurst Park was actually the venue when Crystal Palace beat Arsenal for the last time with a 3-0 score. Will they be able to repeat the history this Saturday?

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Arsenal Team News

After Arsenal’s fixture against the Toffees, Rice wasn’t seen in their game this Wednesday when the Gunners won 3-2 against Palace. While the Englishman is advised to be rested, he is expected to make a swift return this Saturday.

However, there are no hopeful news of return in Saturday for Tomiyasu and Ben White who are out for knee injuries. Calafiori and Zinchenko are a couple of concerns for Arteta this Saturday as well. 

The decision with Tierny is still controversial as the player was not supposed to start yet. However, the early Introduction has him out due to a cramp issue.

Crystal Palace Team News

Daniel Munoz might be the one missing the fixture due to a suspension. On the other hand, Ward will be back for the fixture while Riad, Wharton, and Franca are supposed to return.

Predicted Lineups

Arsenal Predicted Lineup:

Goalkeeper: Raya

Defenders: Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly

Midfielders: Odegaard, Partey, Rice

Forwards: Saka, Havertz, Martinelli

Crystal Palace Predicted Lineup:

Goalkeeper: Henderson

Defenders: Chalobah, Lacroix, Guehi

Midfielders: Clyne, Hughes, Doucoure, Mitchell

Forwards: Sarr, Eze; Mateta

Crystal Palace vs Arsenal Head to Head-to-Head

Crystal Palace vs Arsenal Prediction

While the Palace wish to win on their home turf, we predict it will be the Gunners who will win the fixture with a clean sheet of 0-3 score.

Predicted Score: Crystal Palace 0-3 Arsenal

Key player to watch in Crystal Palace vs Arsenal

The Gunners have a lot of players who can change the course of the game in an instant. However, consistency and quality have made Saka a big threat for the Premier League defenders.

If there is any player who can help Palace transition quickly and give an end product with their counterattacks, it is Eze.

Also Read: Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid Prediction, Preview, Lineups and Team News | LaLiga, December 21, 2024

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