Crystal Palace entertain Arsenal on Friday night in the opening game of the 2022-23 Premier League season.
Palace have been reasonably quiet so far in the transfer window, with the main additions being Cheick Doucoure, Sam Johnstone and Chris Richards.
Unfortunately for Patrick Vieira’s men, key midfielder Conor Gallagher has returned to parent club Chelsea, increasing the pressure on talented youngsters Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise.
Arsenal have looked incredible in pre-season, with new signings Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko hitting the ground running since joining from Manchester City.
Fabio Vieira has also joined; however missed all of pre-season due to injury, whilst William Saliba’s return from loan will improve the Gunners defence.
2021-22 Premier League: Crystal Palace 12th, Arsenal 5th
2021-22 Premier League top scorers
Crystal Palace – Wilfried Zaha 14 goals
Arsenal – Bukayo Saka 11 goals
Match history
Crystal Palace took four points off Arsenal last year, including a dominant 3-0 win at Selhurst Park.
The Gunners have a poor recent record against Palace, winning just once in the last eight meetings.
Last five Premier League meetings
Crystal Palace 3 Arsenal 0 – 04/04/22
Arsenal 2 Crystal Palace 2 – 18/10/21
Crystal Palace 1 Arsenal 3 – 19/05/21
Arsenal 0 Crystal Palace 0 – 14/01/21
Crystal Palace 1 Arsenal 1 – 11/01/20
Team news
Doucoure is the only new Palace player expected to come straight into the XI, with Richards among the substitutes and Johnstone missing due to injury.
Odsonne Edouard has led the line most often in pre-season and he should start ahead of Christian Benteke and Jean Mateta.
Jesus, Zinchenko and Saliba are all expected to make their Arsenal debuts at Selhurst Park on Friday evening.
Kieran Tierney, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Emile Smith Rowe will probably miss out due to injury.
Expected starting XI’s
Crystal Palace (4-3-3): Guaita; Ward, Andersen, Guehi, Mitchell; Doucoure, Schlupp, Eze; Ayew, Zaha, Edouard
Arsenal (4-3-3): Ramsdale; White, Gabriel, Saliba, Zinchenko; Partey, Xhaka, Odegaard; Saka, Martinelli, Jesus
Predictions
Result: Arsenal
Arsenal have looked very good in pre-season and may well edge this one
Correct Score: 1-2
Should be a close game, but a narrow Arsenal success is the bet
Anytime Goalscorer: Gabriel Jesus
The Brazilian has looked superb in pre-season and will fancy his chances of opening his Arsenal account at Selhurst Park
