Premier League: Crystal Palace vs. Arsenal Preview, Odds, Predictions, Picks

Crystal Palace and Arsenal had some pretty interesting meetings over the years, and we hope to witness another one next Monday. It is the last game of the round, scheduled for Monday night at Selhurst Park, the home of the Eagles. Both teams won in the opening event, with the note that Palace did that on the road, and Arsenal at home. Eagles fly high on confidence, while the Gunners’ morale is a bit shaken with all the recent injuries they experienced. 

Preview

Crystal Palace (+500) was better than Sheffield United on the opening day. They posted a minimal, 0-1, victory at Bramall Lane, thus creating a big momentum before Monday’s challenge. What is also encouraging for the Eagles, was their commanding approach and a complete domination on every inch of the field. 

Roy Hodgson had some new ideas he wanted to try over the summer, which eventually paid off. At least against United. The Blades are one of the weaker teams in the Premiership, and the true tests of Palace’s power are yet to come. 

The Eagles are a team that usually plays contests with moderate efficiency, that is, two or three goals. It has been like that throughout the preseason and most of the last year.

Arsenal (-115) was better than Nottingham Forest, 2-1, but after an impressive start, the Gunners slowed down and the initial euphoria disappeared. The reason for that was Jurrien Timber’s injury early in the second, which killed the momentum.

Nottingham took over the initiative and started dictating the tempo as the end approached, and the guests even scored one goal. They were after an equalizer, yet fortunately for the Gunners, that didn’t happen.

Arsenal is still trying to have the ball in its feet and to attack, despite not having Gabriel Jesus. Nketiah and Saka are the battering rams, who are responsible for breaking the rival’s defense. 

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Will Hughes, Michael Olise and Nathan Ferguson are all game-time decisions.

Arsenal lost Jurrien Timber against Forest. He was already on the ground once in the first half, but Arteta didn’t substitute him, and the inevitable happened. Gabriel Jesus is out from before, and this isn’t good at all for the Spanish manager. Elneny, Balogun, and Lokonga are questionable.

Head to Head Games

Arsenal was confident on both occasions last year, winning 0-2 at Selhurst in the first meeting of the year in early September. The second event saw them rolling over the Eagles, 4-1. 

By the way, four out of the past five head to head games saw over 2.5 goals. 

Prediction

This is a game that could go either way, and we really believe that. The first reason is Palace’s home-field edge and then comes the fact that Arsenal has a vulnerable defense, which allowed goals throughout the preseason and continued in the same manner in the first round. However, the Gunners’ attack is extremely potent, so we pick both teams to score for Monday’s matchup. It is priced at -105, which is a blast for us. 

Pick: Both teams to score -105