Arsenal vs Crystal Palace tips and predictions: Nketiah to haunt boyhood club on Gunners return

Arsenal state of play

The Gunners have dropped four points in their last two Premier League games against Fulham and Everton – teams they really should be beating if they're to be serious title contenders. They're now six points behind leaders Liverpool who have a game in hand and are nine points worse off than they were at this stage last season.

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They've also got Champions League commitments and a tough FA Cup tie with Manchester United coming up, so the Carabao Cup won't be a priority for Mikel Arteta. Don't be surprised to see wholesale changes to the starting XI at the Emirates Stadium.

Crystal Palace state of play

Palace endured a shocking start to the season which saw them win just one of their opening 13 games but have really picked up their form in recent weeks. They're unbeaten in five, despite three of those coming on the road and playing Aston Villa, Newcastle, Manchester City and Brighton.

The south London outfit haven't made it this far in the Carabao Cup since 2011/12 and will see this as a real opportunity to reach Wembley. Of course, they're underdogs, but Oliver Glasner's side have hit form at the right time and will smell blood.

Key talking point: Can Eddie Nketiah continue his impressive Carabao Cup record against Arsenal?

Nketiah made the short trip from the Emirates to Selhurst Park in the summer and could come back to haunt the Gunners. He's yet to live up to his £30m price tag with just one goal in all competitions, but the Carabao Cup is normally where the 25-year-old striker comes good.

The one-capped England international has bagged 12 times in 16 games, including one in Palace's third-round tie against QPR. He's had to settle for a spot on the bench for the last four games after being eased back from injury, but a cup game is the perfect chance for Glasner to bring him back in. Well rested against his former club? He could well find himself on the scoresheet.

FIRST’s top tip for Arsenal vs Crystal Palace

Eddie Nketiah to score anytime at 4/1 with BetMGM 

Extra tips

Arsenal have struggled to score from open play, with their last three domestic games finishing with under 2.5 goals. You can back that to happen again at 21/20 with BetMGM.

Arsenal are expected to make a number of changes, while Palace went with a strong XI against Aston Villa in the last round. Crystal Palace on the double chance is 7/4 with BetMGM.

Team news

Arsenal are still without the injured Riccardo Calafiori, Ben White, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Takehiro Tomiyasu, while Declan Rice is a doubt after limping off against Everton.

The game in north London will come too soon for Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton but he's not far from a return. They will also miss Daniel Munoz after he picked up a second yellow against Aston Villa in the last round.

Arsenal vs Crystal Palace predicted line-ups

Arsenal: Setford; Timber, Saliba, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly; Partey, Jorginho, Nwaneri; Sterling, Trossard, Jesus (4-3-3)

Crystal Palace: Henderson; Chalobah, Lacroix, Guehi; Clyne, Hughes, Lerma, Mitchell; Sarr, Eze, Nketiah (3-4-3)

Form guide (all competitions)

Arsenal: LLDWWWWDWD

Crystal Palace: LWWDLDDWDW

Odds correct at the time of writing.