Crystal Palace vs Arsenal: Preview, Predictions, and Lineups
Crystal Palace host Arsenal at Selhurst Park on Saturday in the Premier League, just three days after their Carabao Cup quarter-final clash. In that encounter, Gabriel Jesus’ hat-trick helped Arsenal secure a thrilling 3-2 victory at the Emirates.
While Arsenal aim to return to winning ways in the league following back-to-back draws, Palace will look to build on their recent resurgence, including a win against Brighton and a draw with Manchester City. Both teams are eager to secure three crucial points as they look to strengthen their positions in the table.
Match Details
- Date: Saturday, 21 December 2024
- Kick-off Time: 17:30 GMT / 12:30 ET / 09:30 PT
- Location: Selhurst Park, London, England
- Referee: Simon Hooper
- VAR: Michael Salisbury
Head-to-Head Results (Last Five Matches)
| Crystal Palace | Arsenal | Draws |
|---|---|---|
| 0 wins | 5 wins | 0 draws |
- Last Meeting: Arsenal 3-2 Crystal Palace (Carabao Cup, 18 December 2024).
Current Form
Crystal Palace
- Arsenal 3-2 Crystal Palace (18 Dec 2024)
- Brighton 1-3 Crystal Palace (15 Dec 2024)
- Crystal Palace 2-2 Man City (7 Dec 2024)
- Ipswich Town 0-1 Crystal Palace (3 Dec 2024)
- Crystal Palace 1-1 Newcastle (30 Nov 2024)
Arsenal
- Arsenal 3-2 Crystal Palace (18 Dec 2024)
- Arsenal 0-0 Everton (14 Dec 2024)
- Arsenal 3-0 Monaco (11 Dec 2024)
- Fulham 1-1 Arsenal (8 Dec 2024)
- Arsenal 2-0 Man Utd (4 Dec 2024)
Team News
Crystal Palace
Palace will be without:
- Daniel Muñoz, suspended after collecting his fifth yellow card of the season.
- Adam Wharton and Matheus Franca, both sidelined with injuries.
However, Chadi Riad could return to the matchday squad after recovering from a long-term injury. Manager Roy Hodgson is likely to field a similar lineup to midweek, with minor adjustments.
Predicted Lineup (3-4-2-1):
- GK: Henderson
- DEF: Chalobah, Lacroix, Guehi
- MID: Clyne, Doucoure, Hughes, Mitchell
- AM: Sarr, Eze
- FW: Mateta
Arsenal
Arsenal are missing key full-backs:
- Ben White, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Oleksandr Zinchenko, and Riccardo Calafiori are all unavailable due to injuries.
- Declan Rice missed Wednesday’s match but is expected to return after nursing a minor issue.
Mikel Arteta is likely to revert to his strongest XI, with Martin Odegaard, William Saliba, and Gabriel Magalhães returning to the lineup. Despite his hat-trick midweek, Gabriel Jesus may start on the bench, with Kai Havertz favored in attack.
Predicted Lineup (4-3-3):
- GK: Raya
- DEF: Partey, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber
- MID: Odegaard, Merino, Rice
- FW: Saka, Havertz, Martinelli
Key Battles to Watch
1. Wilfried Zaha (Palace) vs. Thomas Partey (Arsenal)
Zaha’s pace and trickery will test Partey, who is playing out of position at right-back. How well Partey handles Palace’s talisman could determine the game’s outcome.
2. Martin Odegaard (Arsenal) vs. Doucoure & Hughes (Palace)
Odegaard’s creativity in midfield is vital for Arsenal’s attack. Palace’s midfield duo must work tirelessly to limit his influence.
3. Crystal Palace Set-Pieces vs. Arsenal’s Defense
With defenders like Guehi and Chalobah, Palace are a significant aerial threat. Arsenal must stay organized to avoid conceding from dead-ball situations.
Score Prediction
While Wednesday’s Carabao Cup clash was a goal-laden affair, this Premier League encounter is expected to be more tactical and tightly contested. Arsenal’s superior quality in the final third should give them the edge, but they may need to grind out the result against a resilient Palace side.
Prediction: Crystal Palace 0-1 Arsenal
FAQs
1. What time does Crystal Palace vs Arsenal kick off?
The match kicks off at 17:30 GMT / 12:30 ET / 09:30 PT on Saturday, 21 December 2024.
2. Who is unavailable for Crystal Palace?
Daniel Muñoz (suspended), Adam Wharton, and Matheus Franca are unavailable due to injury.
3. What is Arsenal’s recent form in the Premier League?
Arsenal are winless in their last two league matches, drawing 0-0 with Everton and 1-1 with Fulham.
4. Who is likely to start upfront for Arsenal?
Despite Gabriel Jesus’ midweek hat-trick, Kai Havertz is expected to lead the line.
5. How has Crystal Palace performed against Arsenal recently?
Arsenal have won their last five meetings against Palace, including a 3-2 victory in the Carabao Cup earlier this week.
