Arsenal travel to Crystal Palace looking to bolster top-four claims

Saturday 21 February 2015 14:56, UK

Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew takes on old adversary Arsene Wenger once again as Arsenal travel to Selhurst Park on Saturday.

The relationship between the two managers has a chequered history, with high-profile bust-ups during Pardew's spells at West Ham and Newcastle, but both managers will be focused on matters on the pitch as the season approaches the final straight.

Palace have won, drawn and lost each of the three games that have followed the closure of the January transfer window, a window in which a host of names were brought in by Pardew. The Eagles will be looking to get more consistency from those signings and return to winning ways on Saturday.

Arsenal head to south-west London buoyed by having made the perfect response to defeat in the North London derby a fortnight ago.

Having limped over the line against Leicester in the league, the Gunners coasted into the FA Cup quarter-finals with a comfortable win against Middlesbrough. Victory on Saturday would see them strengthen their claims for a top-four finish, however they could have one eye on their Champions League last-16 tie with Monaco on Wednesday.

Team news

Palace could welcome back captain Mile Jedinak for the visit of Arsenal. The midfielder picked up an ankle injury whilst helping Australia to Asia Cup success and is in line for his first Eagles appearance under Pardew - as is Shola Ameobi, who is now up to match fitness after joining in January.

James McArthur (thigh) could also be involved, with Jonny Williams (groin) likely to miss out along with Yaya Sanogo, who is on loan from Arsenal and is therefore ineligible.

Jack Wilshere is in line to return from the ankle injury sustained in November's defeat to Manchester United.

Right-back Hector Bellerin faces a late fitness test on his ankle problem, while Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is back in full training following a groin strain but is unlikely to be rushed into a return.

Aaron Ramsey (hamstring) is around two weeks away from match fitness. Mikel Arteta (ankle), Abou Diaby (calf) and Mathieu Debuchy (shoulder) all also continue their rehabilitation and miss the trip to Selhurst Park.

Opta facts

Crystal Palace have recovered the joint-most points from losing positions of any team in the Premier League (15 along with Spurs).

Arsenal have won seven and lost none of the last 10 meetings with Crystal Palace in all competitions.

The Eagles have won just seven of their 29 Barclays Premier League home London derbies.

Theo Walcott has scored seven goals in his last seven Premier League starts.

Only Swansea (12) have dropped more points from wining positions than Arsenal (10) away from home in the Premier League this season.

Arsenal have won just one of 12 Premier League games after falling behind this season, and that was against Crystal Palace on the opening day of the season.

Merson's prediction

I can’t see anything but an Arsenal win here. People will say this is a tough test for Arsenal but I see them going to Selhurst and being quite comfortable. Crystal Palace weren’t great in the draw against Newcastle and Arsenal are in a bit of form. I think it’s going to be an easy afternoon’s work for Arsene Wenger and his men.

PAUL PREDICTS: 0-3

Betting

Arsenal are Sky Bet's firm favourites at 3/4 at they look to extend their great record against Crystal Palace, with Alan Pardew’s men 100/30 and the draw available at 13/5. Palace's home form will be of concern for boss Pardew as they have failed to win in their last three in front of their own fans and lost this fixture 2-0 last season, a 7/1 shot this time. Olivier Giroud is 5/1 to repeat the brace he scored against Middlesbrough in the FA Cup last week, while Fraizer Campbell is 3/1 to score anytime for the hosts.

Soccer Saturday Price Boost: Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United all to win - enhanced from 3/1 to 5/1