This Saturday, Crystal Palace and Arsenal will meet for the second time in just three days at Selhurst Park. After Arsenal’s thrilling 3-2 Carabao Cup victory midweek, all eyes are now on this Premier League clash. Both teams come into this game with contrasting league form, setting the stage for an exciting encounter.
In this blog, we’ll dive into team news, predicted lineups, and a score prediction for this much-anticipated London derby.
Key Details of the Match
- Date: Saturday, December 21, 2024
- Kick-Off Time: 17:30 GMT | 12:30 ET | 09:30 PT | 22:00 IST
- Venue: Selhurst Park, London
- Referee: Simon Hooper
- VAR: Michael Salisbury
Crystal Palace: Recent Form and Team News
Crystal Palace has shown impressive form in recent weeks, clawing back from a poor start to the season. A strong draw against Manchester City and a thrilling derby victory over Brighton have boosted their confidence.
Team News
- Out: Daniel Munoz (suspension), Adam Wharton, and Matheus Franca (injuries).
- Returning: Chadi Riad, who may feature after recovering from a three-month layoff.
Predicted Lineup (3-4-2-1)
- Goalkeeper: Henderson
- Defense: Chalobah, Lacroix, Guehi
- Midfield: Clyne, Doucoure, Hughes, Mitchell
- Attack: Sarr, Eze; Mateta
Arsenal: Recent Form and Team News
The Gunners have been inconsistent in the Premier League, with back-to-back draws against Fulham and Everton. However, they come into this clash with a morale-boosting Carabao Cup win over Palace, where Gabriel Jesus stole the show with a hat-trick.
Team News
- Out: Ben White, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Oleksandr Zinchenko, and Riccardo Calafiori (injuries).
- Expected Return: Declan Rice, who is recovering from a minor injury, should be available.
Predicted Lineup (4-3-3)
- Goalkeeper: Raya
- Defense: Partey, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber
- Midfield: Odegaard, Merino, Rice
- Attack: Saka, Havertz, Martinelli
Head-to-Head Results: Arsenal Dominance
Arsenal has dominated this fixture recently, winning all of their last five meetings against Crystal Palace.
Last Encounter:
- Result: Arsenal 3-2 Crystal Palace (Carabao Cup)
- Date: December 18, 2024
What to Expect from the Match
Both teams will aim to tighten their defenses after a goal-laden midweek clash.
Key Players to Watch
- Crystal Palace: Eberechi Eze, the creative heartbeat of Palace’s attack, will be crucial in breaking Arsenal’s defensive lines.
- Arsenal: Bukayo Saka’s pace and creativity could be the difference-maker in this game.
Score Prediction: Crystal Palace 0-1 Arsenal
While Crystal Palace has been in solid form, Arsenal’s quality in the final third and their strength in set pieces give them the edge. Expect a tight, tactical battle with Arsenal narrowly securing the win.
How to Watch the Match
- UK: Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League, NOW TV
- US: fuboTV, NBC Sports App, USA Network
- Canada: fuboTV Canada
- India: Disney+ Hotstar
What’s your prediction for this London derby? Will Crystal Palace continue their strong league form, or can Arsenal get back to winning ways? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and don’t forget to follow us for the latest match previews and Premier League updates!
