PREMIER LEAGUE expert Daniel McCulloch (@DMcCulloch1984) runs the rule over Super Sunday's clash from Selhurst Park as Crystal Palace entertain Arsenal.
Crystal Palace v Arsenal | Sunday 28th October 2018, 13:30
On paper this looks to be a complete mismatch.
Crystal Palace have won just two games all season – away to bottom-three dwellers Fulham and Huddersfield – while Arsenal have won their last 11 games in all competition.
However, I was fairly impressed with the Eagles away to Everton last week and, while a win may be beyond them here, in Wilfried Zaha they have one of the most talented attackers in the division. The Ivorian certainly has the ability to trouble an Arsenal defence which is yet to manage a clean sheet on their travels this term.
Palace are actually yet to score at Selhurst Park this season but it should be noted that they’ve had 55 shots across those matches so it certainly isn’t through a lack of endeavour or ability to create chances.
Arsenal have looked porous defensively throughout this campaign but when you have the attacking options they do, you are able to win close games and that is exactly what I expect them to do here. Three of their four away games this season have seen them win and both sides find the net, which certainly suggests that the 43/20 Marathon are offering on such an outcome is good value.
Additionally, I like the Gunners to win by a single goal at 14/5 with Boylesports. Two of their three away victories under new boss Unai Emery would have seen this bet oblige, while Palace have been competitive, but ultimately gallant losers quite frequently under Roy Hodgson.
In seven games at home to members of the Big Six, Roy has seen his side lose four by a single goal. Going back to the start of the 2014/2015 season to get a longer-term trend, it’s pleasing to see that they’ve lost 14 of their 25 home matches to these sides by a single goal.
If Arsenal are to win in this manner, 2-1 is surely the most likely scoreline. They’ve defeated Palace in this way in two of their last four away games, while Palace have actually lost 2-1 eight times in the aforementioned 25 game sample. All this suggests to me that the 8/1 Bet365 are offering on such a result is more than fair.
I am also interested in James McArthur at 9/2 in the To Be Booked market, but I think three outright tips is sufficient for one game!
Best Bets
Crystal Palace v Arsenal – Arsenal to win and Both Teams To Score (43/20 Marathon)
Crystal Palace v Arsenal – Arsenal to win by a single goal (14/5 Boylesports)
Crystal Palace v Arsenal – Arsenal to win 2-1 (8/1 Bet365)
