Crystal Palace vs Arsenal: Preview and Prediction

Sunday 28th October 2018

England Premier League
Sunday 28th October 2018
Kick off at 1:30pm GMT
Venue: Selhurst Park

Match Preview:

Crystal Palace will be the underdogs to win this game when they will host high flying Arsenal on Sunday afternoon. Palace are in 15^th place and in very poor form having lost their last 3 games in a row. Those defeats have come against Everton, Wolves and Bournemouth and it feels that the Eagles may be sucked into a relegation dog fight sooner rather than later.

Palace haven’t won a game since mid September and at home they are yet to win. Roy Hodgson’s side have played 4 times and lost 3 and drawn 1. Not many fans believe that statistic can change this weekend. What’s worse is that they haven’t even scored a goal this season in front of their fans.

So what has been the problem at Palace? Many point to the fact that striker Wilfried Zaha was injured at the beginning of the season, and whilst the goalscoring talent is now available he is still looking a yard off pace and slightly rusty. But it is clear that if Hodgson is given some more time he might be able to turn around Palace’s fortunes, some small examples have been found this season, but they need to start performing at home.

Arsenal are the most content they have been in years. They notched up their 11^th win in a row in midweek when they beat Sporting away from home in the Europa League. If Arsenal can get to 15 they will beat an all time record of wins in a row for the club.

In the league they are 4^th, but could jump one or even two places depending on results on Sunday. But the team will just be happy for another 3 points, and they are expected to get this. On form they are the best club in the league and surely Unai Emery will be winning the manager of the month award.

Away from home the Gunners have lost just 1 game which of course came against Chelsea, but since then they have won 3 games in a row. Their last away game ended in a superb 5-1 win over Fulham.

Team News:

Crystal Palace: Christian Benteke is out and won’t return until at least mid November after his knee operation. Scott Dann is out with a lack of match fitness. Joel Ward is also out with a knock

Arsenal: Sead Kolasinac will be assessed ahead of this game after his hamstring injury. Laurent Koscielny is not due back for a few weeks. Nacho Monreal could make the squad after his hamstring problems

Crystal Palace vs Arsenal Head to Head:

Last season Arsenal won this fixture 3-2.

Arsenal have scored 7 goals against Palace in the last 2 meetings.

There is a 60% chance based on recent matches to see over 2.5 goals.

Crystal Palace vs Arsenal Prediction:

Mesut Ozil is the key now for Arsenal keeping up their performances. He was mesmerizing in their win against Fulham last weekend and he seems like he is in a very happy place. Arsenal do not have to travel far for this game and it is very difficult to look past Emery’s team here and they should walk away with all 3 points. Indeed for some more value we will back them for the half time market too. Palace will give some fight but they have been so poor at home that it is very unlikely to change in this match.

Recommended Betting Tips:

Half Time/Full Time: Arsenal/Arsenal at 2.50

Anytime goalscorer: Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang (Arsenal) at 2.20