Crystal Palace welcome title challenging Arsenal to Selhurst Park in a London derby.
Currently locked on three points apiece, victory would see Palace or Arsenal climb into the top three in the table.
Team News
Palace have no fresh injury concerns to report after their win at Sheffield United as Will Hughes (knee), Michael Olise (hamstring) and Matheus Franca (back) remain absent.
Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta could opt to drop Aaron Ramsdale and hand David Raya his first start after the Spaniard joined on loan from Brentford this week.
Jurrien Timber is ruled out after he suffered a knee injury during the Gunners’ opening win over Nottingham Forest.
Oleksandr Zinchenko, Albert Sambi Lokonga (both muscle) and Folarin Balogun (foot) could face late fitness tests.
Mohamed Elneny and Gabriel Jesus remain absent with knee injuries.
When is Kick-Off?
Palace host Arsenal at Selhurst Park on Monday 21 August in a 8pm BST kick-off, live on Sky Sports in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Crystal Palace have claimed four points from their last five meetings against Arsenal (W1, D1, L3).
- Arsenal have lost just one of their last six visits to Palace’s Selhurst Park (W3, D2, L1).
- Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli has scored in each of his last two appearances against Palace (W2).
- Eberechie Eze has scored three goals in two of his last three home appearances for Palace, only failing to find the net in a 1-1 draw against Nottingham Forest on the final day of last season.
- Arsenal have won just one of their last five league matches away from home (W1, D2, L2).
Prediction
Having snatched a clinical win at Sheffield Utd last weekend, Palace came into this match with confidence because they were all-round solid, although I would like to see them avoid putting themselves offside as much as they did at Bramall Lane if want to stand any shot at a win here.
Arsenal meanwhile were simply clinical in the first half to beat Forest because they crucially took their chances, which proved the difference amidst a wasteful second half and particularly from set pieces whilst their defence was caught out on the counter attack.
Arteta though has a dilemma in goal because he can stick with Ramsdale or be brave and hand Raya a debut in goal, because Raya is the better goalkeeper if want to play out from the back so tactics could well determine his plans.
Palace though will be tough to break down if they play like they did last weekend but Arsenal’s firepower should be enough to find that winner.
Prediction: Crystal Palace 0-1 Arsenal
Leave a Reply