Verdict: Arsenal win
Best Odds: 4/9
Bookmaker: Luckster
Hoping to extend their buffer at the top of the Premier League table on Sunday afternoon, Arsenal will welcome Crystal Palace to north London.
Arsenal
Starting with the hosts, while Arsenal might have suffered more domestic frustration last season as they had to settle for another silver medal finish among England’s elite, the Gunners are pencilled in as a standout title contender this season. Extending on their sensational purple patch earlier in the week as they clinched a 4-0 Champions League victory against Spanish giants Atletico Madrid, Mikel Arteta’s men are riding a major wave of money. Marking their return from October’s international break with a 1-0 win away at local rivals Fulham, Arsenal have won all of their previous six consecutive appearances across all competitions by an aggregate score of 13-1. Shipping just a single goal from open play so far this season, Arteta’s side open this weekend’s fixtures holding a three-point buffer at the top of the Premier League table.
Arsenal Team News
Suffering a reported knee issue earlier in the month and enduring what has been a nightmare start to the new campaign, Arsenal will once again be without skipper Martin Odegaard here. Likewise, all still dealing with their own respective knee injuries, the trio of Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz and summer recruit Noni Madueke remains on the sidelines.
Bagging a Champions League brace against Atletico Madrid in midweek and finding the net for the first time since September 13th, former Sporting Lisbon ace Viktor Gyokeres will keep his spot leading the line. Handed a full rest on Tuesday, Riccardo Calafiori should be handed a full recall at left-back.
Crystal Palace
As for the visitors, suffering a major Europa Conference League upset earlier in the week as they fell to a 1-0 loss at home against Cypriot outfit AEK Larnaca, Crystal Palace are desperately seeking an immediate response here. However, although Oliver Glasner’s men might have once again gained a string of public praise since opening up the new campaign, Sunday’s guests are seeking somewhat of a recent boost. Heading into October’s international break with a last-gasp 2-1 defeat away at Everton, Palace have registered just a single point from their previous three appearances across all competitions. Facing what is a stern examination when they travel across the capital this weekend, Glasner’s side should be concerned by a nightmare recent record against the Gunners. In fact, Palace have failed to win any of their previous seven meeting against Arsenal (six defeats, one draw).
Crystal Palace Team News
Still dealing with a long-term knee injury and yet to make a single appearance this season, Cheick Doucoure remains on the sidelines and will not feature here. However, after serving a European suspension in midweek, summer recruit Borna Sosa will return to Palace’s travelling squad on Sunday.
Bagging a sensational Premier League hat-trick against Bournemouth last weekend, French international Jean-Philippe Mateta will lead the line in north London. Eventually staying put at Selhurst Park after his Deadline Day move to Liverpool collapsed, Marc Guehi will start at the heart of Glasner’s defence.
Arsenal vs Crystal Palace Key Factors to Consider
- Arsenal are unbeaten in all of their previous seven meetings against Crystal Palace (six wins, one draw).
- The Gunners have won all of their previous six consecutive appearances across all competitions by an aggregate score of 13-1.
- Arsenal have shipped just a single goal from open play so far this season.
- Crystal Palace have mustered just a single point from their previous three appearances across all competitions.
- Sunday’s guests have mustered just a sole clean sheet from their last seven outings.
Conclusion
Embarking on what has become a sensational purple patch, Arsenal will be desperate to widen their buffer at the top of the Premier League standings here. Winning each of their last six appearances across all competitions by an aggregate score of 13-1, Arteta’s camp will be hoping to make another statement this weekend. Holding a dominant record against Sunday’s guests and continuing to gain a reputation for their defensive steel, we are backing a home victory in north London.
Verdict: Arsenal win
Best Odds: 4/9
Bookmaker: Luckster