Arsenal vs Crystal Palace Prediction & Betting Tips (23 December)

Arsenal have been waiting for 5 years to win a trophy and this EFL Cup could be one way. In the Premier League, while they were seen as untouchable, the Gunners finally see Manchester City come back to 2 points in the fight for the title and no more missteps will be tolerated. The misstep, Arteta's men made it at the beginning of December against Aston Villa, conceding the defeat goal in the final seconds of the match at Villa Park 2-1. Since then, the Londoners have beaten Club Brugge in the Champions League 0-3, Wolverhampton in the championship 2-1 and Everton last weekend by the narrowest of margins 0-1 thanks to a penalty converted by Viktor Gyökeres. To be confirmed, but Arsenal have had a very good first 5 months of competition and are on all fronts for the rest of the season.

Winner of the FA Cup and the Community Shield in recent months, Crystal Palace is now aiming for the EFL Cup and even the Conference League this season. The next step will be to build a team capable of competing throughout a season in the Premier League. Lacking consistency, the Eagles are not able to play for the title in the Kingdom, as evidenced by their two defeats in quick succession against Manchester City at home 0-3 and last weekend on the turf of the promoted: Leeds 4-1. Setbacks which demoted the club to 8th place. 

At Arsenal, the long-term injured Kai Havertz will remain on the flank today like defenders Ben White, Mosquera and Gabriel. Young English midfielder Max Dowman is also absent due to injury. Defensively, Mikel Arteta can still count on the imperial Timber, Saliba, Hincapié or even the Italian Calafiori. Norwegian international Odegaard is available, like Brazilians Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus and English internationals Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka (4 goals in PL). Replacing against Everton, Eze (4 goals, 2 assists in PL) could start today against his former team. Selected to play the CAN with Senegal, Ismaila Sarr (3 goals, 1 assist in PL) will be greatly missed by the Eagles' offensive system.

The Moroccan Chadi Riad was not called up following his serious injury. Other defections, those long-term of Rio Cardines, Caleb Kporha and Cheick Doucoure, when the Japanese international Daichi Kamada and the Colombian international Daniel Munoz (two potential starters) joined the infirmary more recently. The Tricolores Mateta (7 goals in PL) and Lacroix (starting central defender) will be at the disposal of Oliver Glasner (coach) as will the corridor player Pino (ex-Villarreal) and the midfielder Uché (ex-Getafe). The probable line-ups for Arsenal - Crystal Palace: Arsenal: Arrizabalaga - Timer, Saliba, Hincapié, Lewis-Skelly - Odegaard, Zubimendi, Rice - Saka, Merino, Martinelli.  Crystal Palace: Benitez - Canvot, Lacroix, Guehi - Munoz, Hughes, Wharton, Sosa - Nketiah, Pino - Mateta. 

• Summary: Arsenal is going head to head with Crystal Palace starting on 23 Dec 2025 at 20:00 UTC at Emirates Stadium stadium, London city, England. The match is a part of the EFL Cup .
• Arsenal Feedinco Rating: 6.99
• Crystal Palace Feedinco Rating: 7.07