Crystal Palace vs Arsenal: Betting tips and predictions

Imago Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice is expected to return to action — *Imago* Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice is expected to return to action

Crystal Palace state of play

Crystal Palace will be looking to reverse the form with Arsenal after a 3-2 defeat in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals on Wednesday evening.

It was the Eagles' first loss in six games and followed a string of impressive results in recent weeks including a 2-2 draw with Manchester City and a 3-1 victory at bitter rivals Brighton last Sunday.

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Crystal Palace's uptick in form has seen them pull clear of the Premier League relegation zone and manager Oliver Glasner will be eager to see his side continue to climb the table during the busy festive period.

Arsenal state of play

Gabriel Jesus was the hero as his hat-trick saw off Crystal Palace and sealed Arsenal's place in the Carabao Cup semi-finals.

The 3-2 victory was a far cry from last Saturday's frustrating stalemate with Everton, which was the third Premier League game in a row that Mikel Arteta's side failed to find the back of the net from open play.

It's fair to say creative struggles are impacting Arsenal's title hopes after draws in their last two top-flight games and they can ill afford to drop more points at such a key point in the season.

Key talking point: Could scrappy clash lead to cautions?

An Arsenal side struggling to score from open play in the Premier League travelling to a Crystal Palace team that has ironed out their early-season problems has the makings of a tight, tense and scrappy affair.

That means there could be cards - not of the Christmas variety - flying around at Selhurst Park this weekend.

Simon Hooper is the man tasked with keeping order and the referee is averaging 4.89 yellow cards per game this season.

The two teams are also liable for a card as Crystal Palace players picked up 14 bookings in their last five league games and Arsenal have earned three reds since the start of the campaign.

FIRST’s top tip for Crystal Palace vs Arsenal

Total cards - Over 4.5 - 6/5 (Betway)

A London derby atmosphere, two teams averaging a little over two yellows per game and a referee that has been dishing out plenty of cautions makes over 4.5 cards worth a play at odds-against.

Extra tips

First team to score - Crystal Palace - 211/100 (Mr.Play)

Crystal Palace have taken the lead in their last three Premier League games - as well as Wednesday's cup clash - and look good value to grab an early advantage against Arsenal, who have not scored in the first half of their last three top-flight fixtures.

Team news

Crystal Palace wing-back Daniel Munoz serves a one-match ban, a late check will be made on Eberechi Eze, while Adam Wharton, Chadi Riad and Matheus Franca are injured.

Declan Rice should be fit to return after missing the cup clash due to a niggle, Riccardo Calafiori and Oleksandr Zinchenko are fitness doubts, while Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu remain sidelined.