Arsenal vs Crystal Palace Prediction: Eberechi Eze to impress once more again

Arsenal vs Crystal Palace: Prediction for the Match on December 23, 2025

Two teams with different results over the weekend will meet on Tuesday night. Arsenal are top of the Premier League as they head into Christmas, but now their focus shifts to the EFL Cup quarter-finals, where Mikel Arteta’s side will host Crystal Palace. While the Gunners aim to maintain momentum across all competitions, they face a Palace team that has been pushed to its limits recently.

Arsenal: Form and Statistics

The two teams have already faced each other in the league this season, with Arsenal winning 1-0 at the Emirates. Eberechi Eze scored against his old club in that match. Eze, who was an unused substitute at Everton on Saturday, is likely to start on Tuesday. He could add another goal to his tally, having already scored five this season, including a hat trick against Tottenham and the opening goal against Port Vale in the EFL Cup. For Arsenal, Mikel Arteta has made 11 changes in his last two matches, including a draw in the Conference League against KuPS and a 4-1 loss to Leeds in the Premier League. Arteta is facing a tough challenge, as up to seven first-team players may be unavailable for the match.

Arsenal: Team News

Key injuries for Arsenal include Kai Havertz, who will be out for a few weeks, and Ben White, who is unlikely to return until the New Year due to a hamstring injury. Gabriel Jesus may be fit for selection after recovering, giving Arteta a boost up front. In defense, Cristhian Mosquera is out until January, and Max Dowman is dealing with an ankle issue. Despite these injuries, Arteta is expected to rotate his squad. Kepa Arrizabalaga could start in goal, giving David Raya a rest. The Gunners will rely on their depth, with players like Gabriel Jesus and Cristhian Norgaard expected to feature.

Arsenal Expected Line Up

Kepa; Nichols, Saliba, Calafiori, Lewis-Skelly; Eze, Norgaard, Merino; Madueke, Jesus, Martinelli

Crystal Palace: Form and Statistics

Crystal Palace’s hectic December, with six games already played, seems to be taking its toll. The constant rotation of the starting 11 isn’t helping Oliver Glasner’s side. For Saturday’s 4-1 loss to Leeds, he made changes across the entire team. With more changes expected, the team seems to lack cohesion, having gone winless in their last three matches (D1, L2). The FA Cup holders will need to recover quickly, as they travel north to face a chance at reaching their first EFL Cup semi-final since 2011/12. On a positive note, they have won five of their last seven away games (L2), which could give them some confidence for the match.

Crystal Palace: Team News

Glasner’s squad has been affected by AFCON, with Ismaila Sarr away representing Senegal. Other absentees include Daniel Munoz and Daichi Kamada. Rio Cardines, Chadi Riad, and Caleb Kporha will also be unavailable. With these key players out, Glasner may turn to younger players, as seen in their recent loss to KuPS. Joel Drakes-Thomas, Kaden Rodney, Dean Benamar, and George King could all be included in the lineup. The manager will rely on their energy and potential to try to keep Arsenal at bay.

Crystal Palace Expected Lineup

Benitez; Richards, Guehi, Canvot; Clyne, Lerma, Wharton, Sosa; Pino, Devenny; 

Arsenal vs Crystal Palace Head-to-Head statistics

Arsenal are unbeaten in the last eight head-to-head matches (W7, D1). This includes a 3-2 win at home in last season’s Carabao Cup quarter-final.

Arsenal vs Crystal Palace: Betting Tips & Odds

• Arsenal have scored 2 or more goals in eight of their last nine home games. They’ve also scored after the 70th minute in five straight home matches.
• The away team hasn’t failed to score in Palace’s last nine games. Four of their last five away matches have seen over 2.5 goals.
• In eight of the last 11 encounters between the teams, there have been at least three goals. Arsenal are unbeaten in their last eight matches against Palace, with their only draw being a 2-2 result at home last season.
• Kepa Arrizabalaga has saved all six shots on target in Arsenal’s wins over Port Vale and Brighton & Hove Albion in this season’s competition.
• Arsenal have reached the EFL Cup final more times than any other team (6), winning the competition in 1987 and 1993. Five of their last seven domestic matches have been decided by one goal or ended in a draw.
• Since the start of the 2022/23 Premier League season, Arsenal have earned 90 points in London derbies (W27, D9, L3), 24 points more than any other team. Palace have lost 19 league derbies in that time, with only West Ham losing more (24).
• Palace have not won in eight visits to Arsenal since April 2019, with their last three draws coming between 2019 and 2021.
• Their 3-2 defeat at Arsenal in last season’s quarter-finals ended their longest EFL Cup run since reaching the 2011/12 semi-finals.
• After three straight wins, Palace are now winless in three, following three-goal defeats to Manchester City and Leeds United, plus a 2-2 Europa League draw with Finnish side KuPS at Selhurst Park.

Arsenal vs Crystal Palace match prediction, 23rd December 2025

Arsenal haven’t been at their best lately, but they’ve shown the ability to get results. Their 1-0 loss to Crystal Palace earlier in the season proved they can’t afford to underestimate their opponents, especially with Palace’s fighting spirit. However, with Arsenal’s depth and quality, they are likely to overcome a Palace side missing key players. Given Palace’s struggles with consistency due to squad rotation, backing an Arsenal win by a -1 handicap makes sense.

Our match prediction is W1/W1 with odds at 2.25 on the 1Xbetbookmaker.

Our betting tip is Over 2.5 total goals with odds at 1.95 on the BC.game bookmaker.

Our last match prediction is Eberechi Eze to play 2+ shots with odds at 2.75 on Betway bookmaker.