Arsenal vs Crystal Palace Preview & Prediction | 2024-25 English League Cup | Quarter-Final
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This League Cup quarter-final between Arsenal and Crystal Palace has an extra layer of spice with it being a London derby.
Kick-off date/time: Wednesday December 18th 2024: UK – 7:30pm / US ET – 2:30pm / US PT – 11:30am
How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports / US – CBS Sports
How to watch online: UK – Sky Go / US – Paramount+
Arsenal Preview: Opportunity cannot be passed up
When you factor in that Arsenal have not won a major trophy since the FA Cup in 2020, Mikel Arteta and his side simply can’t afford to waste what is turning into a valuable opportunity. After comfortably brushing aside North West clubs Bolton and Preston, this serves as their biggest challenge yet in this season’s League Cup.
So far, the Gunners have struck eight goals across two games in this competition and that’s despite not fielding a full-strength side on each occasion. However, they are facing a fellow Premier League side for the first time and coming off the back of being held to a goalless draw by Everton in the Premier League.
Crystal Palace Preview: Eagles turnaround makes them a threat
Crystal Palace have already taken a big scalp already in this season’s League Cup by beating Aston Villa away from home, which was one of the results that marked a change in fortunes under Oliver Glasner after what has been terrible start to the 2023-24 campaign, which had been propped up almost single-handedly by them advancing through in the League Cup.
But the Eagles now travel to Emirates Stadium on the back of a five-game unbeaten streak and have lost just one of their last nine in all competitions. Although being away makes this a tougher challenge, Palace have no reason to fear their London rivals.
Arsenal Team News: Rice fit, Nwaneri likely to start
Although Declan Rice is available to Arteta, it would be no surprise to see him opt for a midfield that includes both Jorginho and 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri instead, the latter having hugely impressed in this competition. However, the Gunners will be without four defenders through injury.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Raya; Timber, Saliba, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly; Nwaneri, Jorginho, Merino; Sterling, Jesus, Trossard
Unavailable: Calafiori (Injured), White (Injured), Tomiyasu (Injured), Zinchenko (Injured)
Questionable:
Crystal Palace Team News: Nketiah could line up against old club
Plenty of eyes will be on former Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah should he be given a chance to start here ahead of Jean-Philippe Mateta. However, this match comes too soon for Adam Wharton, whilst Eberechi Eze is doubtful after suffering a knock against Brighton.
Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Henderson; Chalobah, Lacroix, Guehi; Munoz, Kamada, Lerma, Mitchell; Sarr, Eze; Nketiah
Unavailable: Holding (Out of favour), Franca (Injured), Wharton (Injured)
Questionable: Ward (Injured), Eze (Injured)
Arsenal vs Crystal Palace Prediction
Even if they do end up fielding a rotated side, Arsenal should still maintain a substantial offensive threat, especially when you consider the depth at their disposal in the attacking department. But Crystal Palace are capable of going toe-to-toe with the Gunners and have proved that having found the net five times across their last two games.
But when taking into account the potential Arsenal team and the fact that the Eagles have already gotten the better of Aston Villa in this tournament, Oliver Glasner’s in-form side makes this a tough contest to predict. Expect over 2.5 goals to be scored along with both teams netting at least once across 90 minutes.
Arsenal vs Crystal Palace Tip: Over 2.5 goals and both teams to score
