Arsenal vs Crystal Palace: EFL Cup Prediction, Match Preview & Live Streaming, 19 December 2024

Arsenal are poised to face Crystal Palace in the EFL Cup quarter-finals at the Emirates Stadium. This match is crucial for both teams as they shift their focus from the Premier League to cup success. Despite a recent 0-0 draw against Everton, Arsenal have shown form, going unbeaten in their last eight matches and keeping clean sheets in their last four home games.

Crystal Palace, under Oliver Glasner, have also been impressive lately, remaining unbeaten in their last five matches. Key players for Palace include their top scorer, Eberechi Eze, who has netted three goals in the tournament this season. Given Arsenal’s solid home record and Palace’s recent upturn in form, our prediction is that it will be a fiercely contested match.

However, with Arsenal’s attacking prowess led by Ethan Nwaneri and Kai Havertz, we expect them to edge out a win. Recommended bet: Both teams not to score at 1.85 odds.

Our recommended betting tip for this match is “Both teams to score: no.” We’ve chosen this based on a combination of recent form and performance statistics for both teams.

Arsenal vs. Crystal Palace Prediction
Betting tip	Odds
Both teams to score: no	1.85

Reasons:

• Arsenal have secured 3 clean sheets in their last 5 games, showcasing their solid defensive stability.
• Crystal Palace have only managed 1 clean sheet in their last 5 games, indicating some vulnerabilities at the back.
• Both teams have shown consistent, yet sometimes streaky, performances in recent matches.

This tip leverages Arsenal’s defensive form and the likelihood of Crystal Palace struggling to break through at the Emirates.

Arsenal vs Crystal Palace Odds

The bookmakers highly favour Arsenal in this EFL Cup Quarter-Finals clash against Crystal Palace. Given Arsenal’s form at the Emirates Stadium and their remarkable defensive record, it’s clear why they’re the favourites. Crystal Palace are in good form but face tough odds away from home.

Arsenal vs Crystal Palace Betting Odds
Bet	Odds
Arsenal	1.37
Draw	4.76
Crystal Palace	8.20

With these odds, those backing Arsenal have the safest bet. However, considering Palace’s recent resurgence, a draw could be an intriguing long-shot option.

Arsenal vs Crystal Palace Live Streaming, EFL Cup: India

Fans can watch all the EFL Cup action in India on the Fancode app. Hence, the Arsenal vs Crystal Palace EFL Cup match will be streamed live on Fancode at 1:00 am IST on December 19.

Arsenal Team Analysis

Arsenal Recent Performance DWDWW

Arsenal have shown solid form in their last five matches, with two wins, three draws, and no losses. Highlighted by their recent EFL Cup success, including a 3-0 win over Monaco, the Gunners have demonstrated resilience and a defensive line, keeping three clean sheets in their last five games. With an average of 2.20 goals scored per game in recent outings, they have proven to be a formidable attacking force, despite an array of injuries to key players.

Home team	Away team	Result
Arsenal	Everton	0-0 (Draw)
Arsenal	Monaco	3-0 (Win)
Fulham	Arsenal	1-1 (Draw)
Arsenal	Manchester United	2-0 (Win)
West Ham United	Arsenal	2-5 (Win)

Arsenal’s consistency at home and their tactical versatility with a 4-3-3 formation underpin their performances. With Mikel Arteta’s side yet to lose at home this season, they look to maintain their momentum in the EFL Cup quarter-finals.

Arsenal Key Players

Arsenal will be looking to key players like Ethan Nwaneri, their top scorer with 3 goals in this tournament, to provide the attacking spark against Crystal Palace. With 2 goals in 2 matches, Kai Havertz is also a crucial player to watch in this EFL Cup quarter-final. In the midfield, Martin Ødegaard’s creativity and Declan Rice’s defensive solidity will be vital, although Rice is doubtful due to injury concerns. Key individual battles include Bukayo Saka against Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi, which could be a deciding factor in Arsenal’s attacking threat. Expected lineup for Arsenal:

• Goalkeeper: David Raya
• Defenders: Jurrien Timber, William Saliba, Gabriel, Myles Lewis-Skelly
• Midfielders: Martin Ødegaard, Mikel Merino, Declan Rice
• Forwards: Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli

Arsenal Suspensions & Injuries

Arsenal faces significant injury concerns heading into the quarter-final clash against Crystal Palace. Several key players are doubtful or ruled out due to various injuries. This could heavily impact their lineup and overall performance.

Player	Injury	Expected return
Ben White	Knee injury	Late January 2025
Takehiro Tomiyasu	Knee injury	Early January 2025
Riccardo Calafiori	Knee injury	Late December 2024
Oleksandr Zinchenko	Knock injury	Early January 2025
Declan Rice	Knock injury	Doubtful
Thomas Partey	Physical discomfort	Doubtful
Jurrien Timber	Physical discomfort	Doubtful
Gabriel Magalhães	Physical discomfort	Doubtful
Jack Porter	Physical discomfort	Doubtful

These injuries could force manager Mikel Arteta to make significant changes to the starting eleven, particularly in defense and midfield. The absence of key players like White, Tomiyasu, and potentially Rice could affect Arsenal’s stability and creativity.

Arsenal Tactics and Formation

Arsenal Tactical Breakdown:

• Formation: 4-3-3
• Key Forward: Ethan Nwaneri
• Midfield Trio: Martin Oedegaard, Mikel Merino, and Declan Rice (if fit)
• Defensive Strength: Three clean sheets in the last five games.
• Notable Strategy: Utilizing an attacking approach during the middle of the second half, around the 61-75-minute mark, where they tend to increase pressure on opponents.

Arsenal under Mikel Arteta typically utilizes a 4-3-3 formation. This setup allows them to be fluid in attack and solid defensively. Ethan Nwaneri has been instrumental up front, scoring three goals in two matches this tournament. In midfield, the trio of Oedegaard, Merino, and Rice (if fit) will be crucial in dominating possession and creating scoring opportunities. Defensively, Arsenal’s recent record shows their capability, with three clean sheets in the last five games. Their strategy often involves ramping up their attacking play around the 61-75-minute interval, exploiting tired defenses.

Crystal Palace Team Analysis

Crystal Palace Recent Performance WDWDD

Crystal Palace has been in impressive form lately, showcasing resilience and consistency. With an unbeaten run in their last five matches – securing 3 wins and 2 draws – they are coming into this quarter-final clash full of confidence. Recent form: WDWDD They’ve averaged 1.8 goals per game and kept one clean sheet in their last five encounters, demonstrating a potent attack led by Eberechi Eze and a somewhat solid defense.

Home team	Away team	Result
Brighton & Hove Albion	Crystal Palace	1-3 (Win)
Crystal Palace	Manchester City	2-2 (Draw)
Ipswich Town	Crystal Palace	0-1 (Win)
Crystal Palace	Newcastle United	1-1 (Draw)
Aston Villa	Crystal Palace	2-2 (Draw)

Crystal Palace Key Players

Expected lineup for Crystal Palace:

• Goalkeeper: Dean Henderson
• Defenders: Trevoh Chalobah, Maxence Lacroix, Marc Guehi, Daniel Munoz, Tyrick Mitchell
• Midfielders: Will Hughes, Jefferson Lerma, Ismaila Sarr, Eberechi Eze
• Forward: Jean-Philippe Mateta

Crystal Palace’s hopes in this quarter-final will largely rest on their creative midfielder and top scorer, Eberechi Eze, who has netted three goals in this tournament.

Additionally, Ismaila Sarr offers a significant threat from the wings, with his pace and dribbling skills posing problems for Arsenal’s defence.

A key individual battle to watch will be between Crystal Palace’s forwards and Arsenal’s solid defenders like William Saliba and Gabriel.

Crystal Palace’s recent solid form and confident squad could make for an exciting encounter.

Crystal Palace Suspensions & Injuries

Crystal Palace heads into this quarter-final with a number of key players sidelined due to injuries. This might severely impact their squad depth and on-field performance. Here is a detailed look at their current injury list:

Player	Injury	Expected return
Matheus França	Broken rib	Early January 2025
Chadi Riad	Knee injury	Late December 2024
Adam Wharton	Groin injury	Late December 2024
Joel Ward	Calf injury	Late December 2024

Crystal Palace Tactics and Formation

Crystal Palace Tactical Breakdown:

• Formation: 3-4-2-1
• Key Forward: Jean-Philippe Mateta
• Midfield Powerhouse: Eberechi Eze, Jefferson Lerma, Will Hughes, Ismaïla Sarr
• Defensive Line: Trevoh Chalobah, Maxence Lacroix, Marc Guéhi, Daniel Muñoz, Tyrick Mitchell
• Defensive Strength: One clean sheet in the last five games

Crystal Palace is expected to line up in a 3-4-2-1 formation, emphasizing both defensive solidity and quick transitions to attack. Jean-Philippe Mateta will spearhead the forward line, relying on creative support from Eberechi Eze and Ismaïla Sarr. Their midfield, featuring Jefferson Lerma and Will Hughes, aims to control the game’s tempo and provide defensive cover. The backline, anchored by Marc Guéhi and Maxence Lacroix, will be critical in maintaining defensive stability.

Arsenal vs. Crystal Palace Head-to-Head Statistics

Analyzing the last five meetings between Arsenal and Crystal Palace reveals a distinct advantage for the Gunners. Arsenal has managed to dominate in these encounters with significant victories, showcasing their recent superior form. Here are the details of their last five matchups:

Home	Away	Result
Arsenal	Crystal Palace	5-0
Crystal Palace	Arsenal	0-1
Arsenal	Crystal Palace	4-1
Crystal Palace	Arsenal	0-2
Crystal Palace	Arsenal	3-0

Arsenal has scored a total of 12 goals in these fixtures, while Crystal Palace has managed only three. These statistics highlight Arsenal’s dominance and indicate a possibility that they might continue their winning streak in the EFL Cup Quarter Finals.

Venue and Weather

The match will take place at the iconic Emirates Stadium, home to Arsenal. This stadium, with a capacity of 60,704, provides an electric atmosphere that can greatly influence the game’s dynamics. The weather forecast for match day is overcast, with a temperature of 10°C. Humidity is expected to be around 74%, with a wind speed of 5.29 m/s. These conditions suggest a cool and slightly breezy evening, which might see both teams adopting a cautious approach. Arsenal might try to exploit their home advantage, while Crystal Palace will need to be vigilant about the potential impact of the weather on their gameplay, especially given the overcast conditions that can affect visibility and ball dynamics.