Crystal Palace host newly-crowned champions, Arsenal as the 2025-26 Premier League season draws to a close.
Victory would see Palace finish 14th if Leeds lose at West Ham, whilst Arsenal are already champions irrespective of their result.
Team News
Chris Richards is ruled out for Palace with an ankle injury but could return for their UEFA Conference League Final against Rayo Vallecano on Wednesday evening.
Chadi Riad (cramp), Maxence Lacroix and Borna Sosa (both fitness) could be rested as manager, Oliver Glasner considers rotating his squad ahead of their European final.
Cheick Doucoure (knee) and Eddie Nketiah (hamstring) remain sidelined.
Arsenal could rest goalkeeper, David Raya after he suffered cramp in his glute and shoulder during their 1-0 home win over Burnley.
Mikel Merino (foot) faces a late fitness check but Jurrien Timber (ankle) and Ben White (knee) remain absent.
When is Kick-Off?
Palace host Arsenal at Selhurst Park on Sunday 24 May at 4pm BST, live on Sky Sports Premier League in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Palace are winless in their last seven league meetings against Arsenal (D1, L6).
- Arsenal have lost one of their last eight league visits to Palace (W5, D2, L1).
- Gabriel Martinelli has scored in two of his last three away appearances for Arsenal against Palace.
- Palace are unbeaten in their last five league games at home (W2, D3).
- Arsenal have kept clean sheets in their last four league matches (W4), of which three of those matches ended in a 1-0 victory.
Prediction
Sat 15th with a chance to finish 14th yet still at risk of finishing 16th and a circa £5.5m gap between 14th and 6th in terms of prize money, Palace have to ponder how much they want to go for 14th and try and get a rare home win over Arsenal after they twice chucked away the lead in their 2-2 draw at Brentford.
Glasner also must balance that quandary against keeping his key players fresh for Wednesday’s UEFA Conference League Final, so much of this game feels likely to rest on his starting selection but I expect those who start to still give it a strong shot.
Arsenal meanwhile can relax now that the title is sealed and rest players themselves with one eye on next Saturday’s UEFA Champions League Final against PSG, although I do still expect Mikel Arteta to go strong and get a win for the fans but this is a dead rubber.
Motivation within both teams therefore could well be another factor on top of Glasner’s team selection for Palace but the Arsenal fans will be right up for this, which could well make the difference.
Prediction: Crystal Palace 1-2 Arsenal
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