Crystal Palace vs Arsenal predictions for Monday’s Premier League affair. The Gunners started their title chase with a convincing win over Forest. Can they follow up with a win in the London derby or will Palace cause an upset? Read on for all our free predictions and betting tips.
Match Live Monday, 21st August at 8:00 pm In:
Crystal Palace vs Arsenal Predictions
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Eagles vs Gunners: Selhurst Park Set for a London Showdown
Key Stats
– Arsenal registered the highest clean sheets on away grounds last term.
– Bukayo Saka could match Paul Merson’s record of playing in 82 consecutive Premier League games.
In the aftermath of the Premier League’s inaugural games, Selhurst Park are gearing up for a scintillating face-off between two London rivals, Crystal Palace and Arsenal, both of whom began their campaigns with wins. As the Eagles lock talons with the Gunners on Monday evening, this article will analyse their recent performances and predict the possible outcomes of this enthralling fixture.
A Resilient Crystal Palace
The Eagles, even in the absence of dynamic players like Wilfried Zaha and Michael Olise, showcased their prowess by edging past Sheffield United with a 1-0 scoreline, a testament to their offensive capabilities. Odsonne Edouard’s pivotal goal was the highlight, but the story could have been more emphatic had it not been for Sheffield’s Wes Foderingham’s tenacious efforts. The victory, coupled with the celebrations of Roy Hodgson’s 76th birthday, painted a vivid picture of Palace’s growing confidence.
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Crystal Palace’s performance at home has been noteworthy. Their fortress-like approach at Selhurst Park saw them lose only five times last season. Yet, the narrative flips when looking at their bouts with London teams, losing four out of five. Could this be a weak point Arsenal exploits?
Arsenal’s Impressive Track Record
Arsenal’s story mirrors that of Palace’s, with key players like Gabriel Jesus out due to injury. However, players like Eddie Nketiah and Bukayo Saka have stepped up, leading the team to a 2-1 win over Nottingham Forest. The Gunners have, historically, displayed a strong affinity for local derbies, especially against Palace. Yet, an Achilles’ heel persists, with the team’s tendency to lose focus post a 2-0 lead.
Arsenal’s defence also boasts of impressive numbers, registering the most clean sheets in away matches last season. But, there’s a caveat: Mikel Arteta’s tryst with Monday night games hasn’t been fruitful, with four losses out of four.
Team News and Line-ups
Crystal Palace’s fans can rejoice as Olise extends his stay, but the young star’s return from injury will take some time. Other players like Matheus Franca and Will Hughes are also grappling with fitness concerns. However, Edouard, after being previously associated with a move to Arsenal, will be a focal point for the Eagles.
For Arsenal, Jurrien Timber’s injury is a significant blow, sidelining him for months. In brighter news, Oleksandr Zinchenko might make a comeback, while Bukayo Saka aims to match Paul Merson’s record.
Predicted line-ups:
Crystal Palace: Johnstone; Ward, Andersen, Guehi, Mitchell; Doucoure, Lerma; Ayew, Eze, Schlupp; Edouard
Arsenal: Ramsdale; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Odegaard, Rice, Partey; Saka, Nketiah, Martinelli
Player Performances and Predictions
Crystal Palace: Joachim Andersen (8.60) has shown brilliance in defence, closely followed by Eberechi Eze (8.40) in the midfield and Odsonne Édouard (8.00) upfront.
Arsenal: Bukayo Saka leads with a rating of 8.20, followed by Edward Nketiah (7.50) and Declan Rice (7.50).
Technical Analysis
Amidst the glow of London’s floodlights at Selhurst Park on a Monday evening, two teams come face to face, not just in the quest for three points but in a display of evolving footballing philosophies. Crystal Palace under the seasoned Roy Hodgson faces the energetic Arsenal led by Mikel Arteta. While the two teams might currently sit in different areas of the table, their clashes are almost always intriguing, given the stylistic differences and the individual brilliance on display.
Offensive and Defensive Strategies
Crystal Palace: Having garnered a reputation for being a tough side to break down, Hodgson’s teams typically set up in a deep block, often leading to opponents having most of the ball. The Eagles have demonstrated their ability to break with speed and precision. A key player here is Eberechi Eze, whose dribbling and vision in the midfield can swiftly turn defence into attack. In Odsonne Édouard, they have a forward who’s already shown his goal-scoring prowess. Defensively, Joachim Andersen stands out, organising the backline with precision, while Sam Johnstone, with his shot-stopping ability, ensures the team has a dependable last line of defence.
Arsenal: Arteta’s Arsenal are evolving into a side that prioritises ball retention. Their 78% ball possession against Nottingham Forest speaks volumes. By working the ball from the back and pushing it wide, they exploit the flanks to stretch opposition defences. This creates pockets of space for the likes of Bukayo Saka and Martin Ødegaard to exploit. Saka, especially, has been in scintillating form, combining pace, vision, and finishing ability. Defensively, they did show vulnerabilities, especially along the flanks, which Crystal Palace might look to target.
Individual Performances
While the aforementioned Saka has begun the season brightly for Arsenal, there are others in the ranks who’ve caught the eye. Edward Nketiah and Declan Rice, both with a 7.50 average BettingTips4you rating, show that Arsenal’s strength don’t lie with just one player. For Palace, apart from Eze and Édouard, Andersen has stood out, his 8.60 rating placing him top for Crystal Palace.
Managerial Impact
Arteta’s influence on Arsenal is apparent. The Gunners now play a style that, while still evolving, bears the Spanish manager’s imprint – a blend of possession and pressing, and a lot of emphasis on youth. On the other side, Hodgson, with his vast experience, has instilled a sense of organisation and discipline in Crystal Palace, ensuring that even against superior opposition, they’re never truly out of the game.
Comparison and Overall Success
In terms of recent success, Arsenal’s away record from last season does give them an edge. Arteta’s men have a blend of youth and experience that seems to be gelling well. But Hodgson’s Palace, especially at home, has proven to be a tricky prospect for any side. Their deep defensive block and counter-attacking prowess might just prove to be the antithesis to Arteta’s possession-based approach.
Suggestions for Improvement
Crystal Palace: While they are solid defensively, a little more creativity in the middle of the park might help them unlock tight defences. Furthermore, the reliance on Eze for the creative spark might become predictable, hence diversifying their attacking routes would be beneficial.
Arsenal: As evident from their game against Nottingham Forest, vulnerabilities along the flanks need addressing. Arteta might need to instil a sense of defensive discipline in his wide players, ensuring they track back when necessary.
Pros and Cons
Crystal Palace:
Pros – Solid defensively, quick on the counter, and experienced leadership. Cons – Relatively predictable attack, and can be overwhelmed by teams that press high.
Arsenal:
Pros – Good ball retention, a blend of youth and experience, and multiple attacking outlets. Cons – Vulnerable flanks, and a possible over-reliance on Bukayo Saka for attacking impetus.
Predictions
1. The Draw at Selhurst Park
The draw is always a tantalising option when two sides of considerable quality square off. There’s a multitude of reasons to back such an outcome between Crystal Palace and Arsenal. Starting with Palace, the South London side has demonstrated resilience in their recent form, managing to subdue Sheffield United without key players like Zaha and Olise. Their performance against Sheffield suggests a team that’s more than capable of holding their ground.
Arsenal, on the other hand, despite their win against Nottingham Forest, showed moments of vulnerability. Their lapse in concentration, allowing a counter-attacking goal after taking a 2-0 lead, indicates that they can drop points when put under pressure. Further pointing towards a draw is the historical statistic of Arteta’s Monday night games; he’s yet to secure a win in four attempts.
While Arsenal’s dominant possession stats (78%) and greater accuracy in the opposition half (84.1%) are indeed impressive, Palace have the defensive capabilities to withstand such pressure, as reflected in their sole clean sheet this season and their formidable home record last term.
2. Final Scoreline: 1-1
Crystal Palace’s track record at home, coupled with Arsenal’s knack for dropping points when they shouldn’t, paves the way for a balanced scoreline prediction. Considering both teams’ recent form, a 1-1 draw seems plausible. The Eagles, with an average of one goal per game and the ability to take 24 shots on average, clearly have the firepower upfront. Arsenal, meanwhile, have shown that they can be breached, even with the lion’s share of possession.
Additionally, the teams’ mutual respect and understanding of each other’s strengths might result in a cagey affair with neither side wanting to risk too much and leave themselves exposed. This tactical battle could thus lead to fewer goals than one might initially expect.
3. Goalscorer Prediction: Odsonne Édouard
When it comes to players likely to find the back of the net, Crystal Palace’s Odsonne Édouard stands out. He’s started the season in fine form and has already opened his account, proving himself crucial in the absence of key players. Édouard’s poaching abilities make him a constant threat in the box.
Furthermore, Arsenal’s tendency to switch off, as witnessed in their previous game, provides the perfect opportunity for a player of Édouard’s calibre. His close-range finishing ability, combined with Arsenal’s occasional lapses in the defence, sets the stage for him to be on the scoresheet. In addition, with the record of Zaha – the only other Palace player to score in the opening two games of a season – within his reach, Édouard will be doubly motivated.
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