Experience to the Fore

Crystal Palace have been written off for this one by many due their injuries and Arsenal’s uplift under Arteta, but it’s not so hard to make a case for them at best odds of 10/3 with BetVictor.

 
First of all, the Eagles are at home where they haven’t lost to any side outside of the top three. Indeed they have only lost 1 of 13 matches to sides below them in the table (W6 D6) - and that is where we still find the Gunners.

As for Roy Hodgson’s injury nightmares, he has kept the project moving along nicely through the hectic festive period and he can get a decent side out today still. The arrival of Cenk Tosun up front is extremely timely and if Zaha, Meyer and Riedewald are declared fit then it won’t look too bad.

As for Arsenal, they still have to prove they can operate consistently at a higher level. Yes, the performance against Manchester United was much better, but this is an entirely different challenge.