Arsenal vs Crystal Palace
Arsenal take on Crystal Palace in an all-London Premier League clash which pits fifth against sixth, and both teams have a big incentive to win.
Only one point separates the two sides, but it’s not just about who finishes the day higher in the league. The Gunners need to shake off a poor result in Sheffield, while the Eagles have a daunting set of fixtures to come.
A good set of early season Premier League 2019 results has taken the Eagles up to sixth place on 14 points, and their wily coach Roy Hodgson knows how important it is to get points on the board. Another one, or even three, at the Emirates will be a bonus, but Unai Emery will have his team fired up for this clash.
Talking Points
Emery’s boys are happier at home
Arsenal’s form has been patchy of late. A rather underwhelming draw at Old Trafford was followed by two home wins, against Standard Liege and Bournemouth, but then the Gunners’ misfired disastrously, losing 1-0 to Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.
Back home at the Emirates again, Pepe scored two stunning late free-kicks to earn Arsenal a 3-2 win over Vitoria in Thursday night’s Europa League clash. In the latest Premier League 2019 betting odds the Gunners are around even money to finish in the top four, but it looks like being a tough battle with Chelsea, Leicester City and Spurs, if the Whites find a run of form. They can’t guarantee success purely by winning at home, and that’s a dilemma Emery needs to solve sooner rather than later.
But not this weekend.
The Gunners have plenty of firepower and should come through against the Eagles. Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang has scored seven league goals already and while Nicolas Pepe hasn’t yet justified his big money transfer from Lille, he certainly gave the home fans something to get excited about with his world class finishes against Vitoria. Alongside Alexandre Lacazette, these two can surely prosper on any stage.
Dani Ceballos looked the most likely to create something against Sheffield United and I expect him to start just behind the front men
Palace’s nightmare run
Last week’s defeat to Manchester City was the start of a frightening run of fixtures for the Eagles; and after this game at the Emirates, November has a nightmarish look about it with clashes against 3rd and 4th placed Leicester City and Chelsea, before a meeting with runaway leaders Liverpool, and then, if they aren’t battered and bruised enough by then, they head up to Burnley!
Roy Hodgson won’t let his team worry about those games, he’s far too experienced a campaigner for that, he’ll be concentrating on one match at a time. At the Emirates he’ll set his team up to frustrate the hosts and hit them on the break. Jordan Ayew has three goals and Wilfried Zaha clearly has the talent to strike at the heart of any defence, and Arsenal’s rearguard does give you a chance.
The tricky winger was keen on a move to Arsenal in the summer so he’ll be out to impress on Sunday. If he does then Ayew could be the beneficiary again.
At the back Gary Cahill has added poise and class in the middle of the Eagles’ defence and he will need to be a his best to marshal a back line capable of keeping Arsenal’s front three at bay.
History
The Gunners have won 18 of the clashes between these two teams in the Premier League era, with the Eagles managing three wins and four draws, but in the last five there have been two victories each, including a 2-3 triumph for the Eagles at the Emirates last April.
But the Gunners are strong on home turf this season, unbeaten in seven and with three wins and a draw in the league.
Betting Tip
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Arsenal vs Crystal Palace | Arsenal 1×2 First Half @ 1.99 |
| October 28, 00:30 (GMT+8) |
At 1.42 for a home win, 4.60 for a draw and 6.80 an away win, the SBOBET odds point to a happy weekend for the Gunners.
Crystal Palace always carry a threat and if Zaha has the game of his life then we could have a great match on. But it’s a big ‘if’ and the Gunners have more than one threat going forward.
Gary Cahill will have a lot on his hands and he’ll face an attacking team desperate to put right the mess they got themselves in against Sheffield. I expect them to have too much for the Eagles and hit them early.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR ( ) BETS ARE WORTH: |
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 = €20 (Highly confident) |
= €10 (CONFIDENT) |
= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT) |
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Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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