Arsenal is set to clash with Crystal Palace on Wednesday evening, knowing that avoiding defeat is crucial for keeping their hopes alive in the Premier League title race. With Liverpool recently securing a narrow 1-0 victory over Leicester City—resulting in the Foxes' relegation—the Reds are now just three points away from clinching their 20th top-flight title, and their second since the Premier League's inception.
This match marks the third encounter between these two London rivals this season, with Arsenal having triumphed in both previous meetings. Mikel Arteta’s squad first showcased their strength in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals, where a remarkable hat-trick from Gabriel Jesus led to a thrilling 3-2 victory. Shortly thereafter, Arsenal secured another convincing win at Selhurst Park just before Christmas, a match that turned out to be pivotal in defining their season.
Crystal Palace, once regarded as one of the league's more formidable teams, has struggled recently. They are currently winless in their last three matches, which has relegated them to a mid-table finish. After suffering heavy defeats to Manchester City (5-2) and Newcastle (5-0), the Eagles managed to scrape a point in a recent home match against Bournemouth.
Key Match Information
- Date: Saturday, April 12, 2025
- Kick-off: 3:00 PM BST
- Venue: Emirates Stadium
- TV Coverage: Live on Sky Sports in the UK
- Streaming: Available via Sky Go for subscribers
Arsenal Team News
Mikel Arteta opted for a strong lineup in their last match, and it will be interesting to see how many changes he implements for the upcoming game, especially with a crucial match against PSG on the horizon.
Bukayo Saka appears to have recovered from a recent challenge that targeted his Achilles, but he may be rested on the bench for this match. Jurrien Timber and Thomas Partey could return to the starting XI, adding depth to the squad. However, Riccardo Calafiori is still unavailable, and Kai Havertz remains sidelined. Additionally, Gabriel, Gabriel Jesus, and Takehiro Tomiyasu have been ruled out for the remainder of the season.
Predicted Arsenal Lineup vs. Crystal Palace:
- Goalkeeper: Raya
- Defenders: White, Timber, Kiwior, Tierney
- Midfielders: Partey, Rice, Odegaard
- Forwards: Nwaneri, Merino, Trossard
Crystal Palace Team News
Crystal Palace will be without Chris Richards, who is serving a one-match suspension after receiving two yellow cards in the recent draw against Bournemouth. His absence may prompt manager Oliver Glasner to shuffle his defensive lineup, potentially placing Jefferson Lerma in the back three alongside experienced players like Joel Ward and Nathaniel Clyne.
Chadi Riad has yet to make his debut this season, and Cheick Doucoure is also unavailable. Eberechi Eze was substituted at halftime against Bournemouth, but there are no indications of an injury, and he is expected to feature against Arsenal.
Predicted Crystal Palace Lineup vs. Arsenal:
- Goalkeeper: Henderson
- Defenders: Lerma, Lacroix, Guehi
- Midfielders: Munoz, Hughes, Wharton, Mitchell
- Forwards: Sarr, Eze, Mateta
Head-to-Head Record
Arsenal and Crystal Palace have met 57 times in competitive matches, with Arsenal holding a significant advantage: they have won 35 times compared to just six victories for Crystal Palace. At the Emirates Stadium, Arsenal has been particularly dominant, recording 19 wins out of 29 encounters, while Crystal Palace has managed only three victories there.
In the ongoing 2024/2025 Premier League season, the two teams have faced off 49 times, with Arsenal winning 30 matches, drawing 14, and Crystal Palace winning five.
As the match approaches, both teams will be eager to secure a vital victory, making for an exciting encounter under the lights of the Emirates.
Zainab Y.
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