After experiencing contrasting fortunes in the FA Cup last weekend, Crystal Palace welcome Arsenal to Selhurst Park in Saturday’s Lunchtime Premier League clash.
A win for Palace will temporarily move them up the table whilst Arsenal look to leapfrog their London rivals as they begin to fight back in the scrap for fifth.
Team news
Embed from Getty ImagesWilfried Zaha is set to return for Crystal Palace after being rested against Derby last weekend in the FA Cup.
Christian Benteke and Victor Camarasa could also return if they can overcome respective muscle and calf strains.
Luka Milivojevic is suspended for Palace’s next three matches after being sent off in Palace’s FA Cup defeat by the Rams last Sunday.
Patrick van Anholt, Mamadou Sakho (both hamstring), Joel Ward (knee), Jeffrey Schlupp, Andros Townsend (both groin), Scott Dann (calf), Jairo Riedewald and Max Meyer (both knocks) are definitely ruled out.
Arsenal have no fresh injury concerns to report ahead of this game as Hector Bellerin remains ruled out indefinitely with a hamstring injury.
Kieran Tierney (shoulder) is still sidelined until March whilst Calum Chambers misses out for remainder of season with an Anterior Cruciate Ligament injury.
Form
Palace have lost just two of their last nine in all competitions, but have taken seven points from their last three home league games (W2, D1).
Arsenal are unbeaten in their last two games in all competitions without conceding, although they have taken six points from their last four away league trips (W1, D3).
Stat Attack
- Crystal Palace are unbeaten in their last three league games against Arsenal, scoring at least twice in each of those three games (W1, D2).
- Palace have taken just six points from ten Premier League meetings against Arsenal at Selhurst Park (W1, D3, L6).
- Both teams have scored all of their penalties in this league fixture – Palace scoring four penalties to Arsenal’s two.
- Wilfried Zaha has played more minutes than any other Palace player this season, amassing 1,825 minutes in 21 league appearances this season.
- Three of Arsenal’s four league goals under Mikel Arteta have come in the first half.
Prediction
Arsenal have to raise their game here because if they start like they did against Leeds in the FA Cup on Monday, Palace are going to have a field day throughout the first-half regardless of whether Zaha starts or not.
I however am expecting a much stronger all-round performance from the Gunners but Palace have shown amazing grit despite their injury crisis, which should stand them in good stead here.
Arsenal however are continuing to show signs of their attacking potential so should eventually find their way past to take three points here.
Prediction: Crystal Palace 1-2 Arsenal
Result: Crystal Palace 1-1 Arsenal