EPL Match Preview – Crystal Palace vs Arsenal

Crystal Palace will be looking to build on their win last time out when they welcome Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal to Selhurst Park on Sunday.

Alan Pardew’s side started the season with a 3-1 victory at newly-promoted Norwich City away from home, giving early credit to a potential fight for the European places. This is Palace’s first home game of the season, likewise their first test against a bona fide Premier League big boy.

Under intense scrutiny will be Arsenal, who will be desperate to provide a much better performance after a disappointing start to the season with a 2-0 loss at home to West Ham. Seeking redemption will be goalkeeper Petr Cech, who was largely at fault for both goals in his Premier League debut for the Gunners.

A fixture of this nature is the type the Gunners will need to win win should they wish to make a play on the premiership.

Key Battle – Yohan Cabaye vs Santi Cazorla

These two players are key to how their sides will perform and will pull the strings in either midfield. Cabaye was at the centre of much of Palace’s good play against Norwich and scored the goal that secured the win.

Cazorla was one of the only players that had a positive impact in Arsenal’s disappointing loss at the hands of West Ham. The attacking ability of the Gunners was nullified in that match; it will be largely up to Cazorla to lead the charge in midfield this time around.

Team News

Crystal Palace will be able to name an unchanged lineup and after their performance last week, there appears no need to change a winning formula. Julian Speroni will remain unavailable with a finger injury while Marouane Chamakh is also sidelined with a hamstring problem. Yohan Cabaye and Alex McCarthy will make their home debuts.

Crystal Palace Expected XI (4-4-1-1): McCarthy (GK); Delaney, Souare, Dann, Ward; Zaha, Puncheon, McArthur, Cabaye; Murray; Mutch.

Arsenal are still waiting on the return of midfielder Jack Wilshere, who has a fractured fibula. Danny Welbeck is suffering from a bruised patella and is expected to be sidelined until the end of August. Despite a poor opening day performance, Wenger may be forced to remain with the same starting XI. Alexis Sanchez will be at his disposal and could be thrown back into the fray.

Arsenal Expected XI (4-2-3-1): Cech (GK); Mertesacker, Debuchy, Monreal, Koscielny; Carzorla, Ozil; Ramsey, Sanchez, Oxlade-Chamberlain; Giroud.

Head-to-Head

In the 30 previous meetings between the two sides, Arsenal have the unsurprising advantage, winning 20 matches by comparison to Palace’s two with eight draws. Palace have also failed to beat Arsenal at Selhurst Park in the league since 1979.

Previous Meeting

The last meeting between the teams was at Selhurst Park last season. Arsenal emerged victorious 2-1 after Palace gave away an early penalty, converted by Cazorla, and Giroud doubled the lead before half time. A conciliation goal from Murray right on full time meant the scoreline was a little more respectable.

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Prediction

It is hard to see this game being anything other than an Arsenal win. They will be desperate to bounce back and silence critics, but the task will tough against an Eagles team sky-high on confidence.

Crystal Palace 1 Arsenal 2

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