Crystal Palace
vs
Arsenal FC
Kick-off
20:00 GMT
28 December 2017
The busy Christmas period in the Premier League is in full swing and after eight Boxing Day fixtures and one on the 27th, there is just one match left to play to complete matchweek 20. It’s a London derby between Crystal Palace and Arsenal, both of which disappointed to not be in action on the traditional Boxing Day round of matches. The hosts, Crystal Palace, are 16th in the table while their opponents are currently 6th outside the Champions League places.
Crystal Palace don't have the best record against Arsenal and since the Premier League began in 1992, the Eagles have won just twice against them. However, one of these came in the most recent meeting in April where they beat the Gunners 3-0 in front of their own fans. Arsenal have seven wins in the last 10 matches against Palace, scoring exactly two goals in six of the victories. The last two featured five goals between them but they weren't games where both teams scored.
As this is their game-in-hand, Crystal Palace can go as high as 12th with three points and they will fancy their chances against an out-of-form Arsenal side. Connor Wickham and Chung Yong-Lee will miss out but they won't be sorely missed by the home side. Latest matches: Crystal Palace
23.12.2017
Prem
Swansea City
Crystal Palace
1:1
D
16.12.2017
Prem
Leicester City
Crystal Palace
0:3
W
12.12.2017
Prem
Crystal Palace
Watford FC
2:1
W
09.12.2017
Prem
Crystal Palace
Bournemouth AFC
2:2
D
02.12.2017
Prem
West Bromwich Albion
Crystal Palace
0:0
D
Arsenal can go level on points with Tottenham in 5th place with a win but will need a win by eight or more goals to overtake them! Santi Cazorla probably won't feature for them for the rest of the season while Aaron Ramsey joins him on the sidelines with a hamstring injury. Latest matches: Arsenal FC
22.12.2017
Prem
Arsenal FC
Liverpool FC
3:3
D
19.12.2017
EFL
Arsenal FC
West Ham United
1:0
W
16.12.2017
Prem
Arsenal FC
Newcastle United
1:0
W
13.12.2017
Prem
West Ham United
Arsenal FC
0:0
D
10.12.2017
Prem
Southampton FC
Arsenal FC
1:1
D
On a much better run of results, Crystal Palace have reason to be optimistic as they head into their match with Arsenal. The visitors, however, are still clear favourites and will be expected to return to North London with a win, something that has been few and far between recently. It should be entertaining because of both sides' weak defences but Arsenal should prevail to take all three points.
28 December 2017 - 20:00 GMT
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