Arsenal vs Crystal Palace

Emirates Stadium is the venue as Arsenal and Crystal Palace face off against each other in an all-London Premier League showdown.

Back to domestic proceedings following a morale-crushing Europa League elimination to Sporting Lisbon on penalties, Arsenal will be keen to strengthen their pursuit of a first Premier League title in two decades. With Manchester City engaged in FA Cup duties, Mikel Arteta’s side could go eight points clear at the summit if they can extend an impressive five-game winless league streak. Unlike some previous years, the ‘Gunners’ have been ruthless in the Premier League London derbies this season, winning eight out of nine such match-ups (D1) and could become the first team in the competition’s history to win nine in a single campaign. But there’s a reason for a cautious approach, considering they’ve gone winless in their last four home league meetings with Palace (D3, L1).

However, Crystal Palace slumped to a 2-0 defeat in a reverse fixture at Selhurst Park and could lose both seasonal clashes against Arsenal in the Premier League for the first time since 2017/18. The ‘Eagles’ parted company with underperforming manager Patrick Vieira in the lead-up to this clash following a dreadful 11-game winless league run (D5, L6). As the only Premier League side yet to win a single top-flight game in 2023, Palace may consider themselves lucky for starting this round three points clear of the relegation zone. But after losing four of their last five away league matches (D1), including three without a replay, the visitors’ freefall seems likely to continue this weekend. Adding to this sentiment, they’ve managed just one win in eight Premier League London derbies this season (D2, L5).