Arsenal take on Crystal Palace in a London derby this afternoon, looking to extend their advantage at the Premier League summit to eight points.
Title rivals Manchester City do not play in the top-flight again until April now after booking their spot in the FA Cup semi-finals on Saturday and the Gunners welcome a woefully out of form Eagles team to the Emirates Stadium.
Palace sacked Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira on Friday and are currently on a run of zero wins in 2023 that has left them just three points above the relegation zone, with suggestions that former boss Roy Hodgson could even return to the Selhurst Park dugout on a short-term basis.
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Leaders Arsenal, then, are heavy favourites today. While the dramatic loss to Sporting Lisbon in the Europa League on Thursday could prove draining, anything other than three points here would have to be seen as a massive disappointment.
Date, kick-off time and venue
Arsenal vs Crystal Palace is scheduled for a 2pm GMT kick-off time today on Sunday March 19, 2023.
The Emirates Stadium in north London will host the contest.
Where to watch Arsenal vs Crystal Palace
TV channel and live stream: The game will not be broadcast live on television in the UK.
Highlights: Match of the Day 2, however, will show highlights when it airs on BBC One at 10.30pm GMT on Sunday night.
Live blog: Follow all the action with Standard Sport’s dedicated match blog. Simon Collings will be providing expert analysis from the Emirates.
Arsenal vs Crystal Palace team news
Mikel Arteta rested the likes of Bukayo Saka, Thomas Partey and Martin Odegaard for much of Thursday’s game against Sporting. All of them are expected back this afternoon as the Gunners return to something approaching full strength.
Takehiro Tomiyasu, however, is out due to a knee injury and William Saliba is now expected to miss several weeks with a back issue, which should lead to Rob Holding deputising along with Gabriel Magalhaes in central defence. Jakub Kiwior, Ben White and Kieran Tierney are other potential options with teenager Reuell Walters set to be named in the squad.
Eddie Nketiah and Mohamed Elneny are both still sidelined for Arsenal but Leandro Trossard is back fit and Gabriel Jesus made his first start for four months on Thursday night, coming off as planned at half-time.
For Palace, it will be interesting to see if stand-in boss Paddy McCarthy makes any big changes following Vieira’s sacking.
Will Hughes and James McArthur will both be checked after illness, but fellow midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga is ineligible to face his parent club.
Vicente Guaita and Sam Johnstone are still out injured for the Eagles along with Nathan Ferguson, meaning young Joe Whitworth will continue in goal this afternoon.
Arsenal vs Crystal Palace prediction
Perhaps Palace can expect something of a new manager bounce but, frankly, even that doesn’t look like it’ll be enough to beat Arsenal.
Arsenal to win, 2-0.
Head to head (h2h) history and results
Arsenal wins: 30
Draws: 16
Crystal Palace wins: 6
Arsenal vs Crystal Palace match odds
Arsenal to win: 1/4
Draw: 5/1
Crystal Palace to win: 12/1
