Prediction: Arsenal vs Crystal Palace

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best odds: 7/10

Bookmaker: Bet 365

Crystal Palace head to the Emirates on Saturday afternoon to face an Arsenal team who’s top four ambitions looks increasingly unlikely as the season pans on. We predict the outcome of the Premier League clash.

Arsenal

After last week’s shock 2-1 defeat away to Bournemouth, Arsenal are well off the pace for a Champions League spot and they’re currently eight points behind fourth placed Chelsea. It is now five games without a win for Arsene Wenger’s men and the season looks like it could be more catastrophic than fans could have imagined. Having already been knocked out of the Fa Cup to Nottingham Forest in the third round, the Gunners seem resigned to losing talisman Alexis Sanchez, and Mesut Ozil doesn’t look to be too far behind. One major disappointment this season has been the form of summer signing Alexandre Lacazette who hasn’t quite lived up to expectations and has failed to score in nine straight matches. Another cause for concern is the fact Arsenal have conceded eight goals in their last four league games at the Emirates. Nonetheless, their home form has been quite impressive having only lost once all campaign so it may give them the edge on Saturday afternoon.

Team News

Laurent Koscielny and Nacho Monreal are available for the first time in 2018 after injuries. Mesut Ozil (knee) and Ainley Maitland-Niles (illness) could also return to the team.

Crystal Palace

It seems that after suffering a nightmare start to the season in which they lost their first seven games, Crystal Palace have fully recovered and now find themselves 12^th in the league. However, manager Roy Hodgson must take the plaudits for their change of fortune after drastically improving their defensive displays. Because of this, the Eagles have only lost once in their last 12 Premier League matches and they’re currently five games unbeaten away from home. The return to the line-up of Bakary Sako has been a highlight for Palace too with some important goals coming from the Malian. This has coincided with the fact Hodgson’s men have only failed to score once in nine games which was when they missed a last minute penalty in the 0-0 draw with runaway-leaders Manchester City. The evidence suggests then that Crystal Palace will give Arsenal a run for their money on Saturday afternoon and it could be closer than people expect.

Team News

Joel Ward could return after a month out with a groin injury, and Youhan Cabaye could also make the first team.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Mamadou Sakho, Andros Townsend and Scott Dann are all long term injuries.

Key Factors to Consider

• Arsenal have lost just one of their last 16 matches against Crystal Palace in all competitions (W11 D4)
• The Eagles haven’t won away to the Gunners in any competition since 1994
• The Gunners have never failed to score in 17 home games against Crystal Palace, netting 39 goals in total
• Arsenal have scored in each of their last 25 Premier League home games
• After a run of 12 consecutive home league wins, the Gunners have won only one of their last four at home

Conclusion

When you combine the fact that the Gunners have conceded eight goals in their last four home games, and the Eagles have only failed to score once in nine, then you can see both teams definitely netting at the Emirates.

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best odds: 7/10

Bookmaker: Bet 365