Arsenal – Crystal Palace: a Wembley ticket on the line at the Emirates 
With Boxing Day around the corner, one last semi-final spot in the EFL Cup is up for grabs in a London derby between Premier League leaders Arsenal and last season’s FA Cup winners, Crystal Palace.
Arsenal: an opportunity they can’t afford to waste 
It’s been a while since Arsenal lifted the League Cup, but this edition looks like a genuine chance. The Gunners sailed through the earlier rounds without breaking a sweat and arrive at this quarter-final with momentum.
Last weekend’s win at Everton confirmed the form. Arsenal keep winning — not always pretty, but effective. At home the numbers speak for themselves: the Emirates has become a fortress, with an impressive run of victories this season.
Even with a few absences and some rotation to manage, the squad depth lets Arteta treat this tie with confidence. The aim is clear: avoid an upset and secure a semi-final place.
Crystal Palace: a tough away day
Crystal Palace head to the Emirates in much worse shape. The Eagles have suffered a string of poor results and are showing signs of fatigue, especially defensively.
That heavy defeat to Leeds left its mark — a team often outmuscled in duels and too lax at the back. Fixtures are piling up and the lack of rotation is telling.
Sure, Palace have shown quality in this competition, notably against Liverpool, but Tuesday is a different level. Holding Arsenal for 90 minutes will be a real challenge.
Compositions probables
Arsenal : Kepa, Nichols, Saliba, Calafiori, Lewis-Skelly, Norgaard, Merino, Eze, Madueke, Jesus, Martinelli
Crystal Palace : Benitez, Richards, Guehi, Canvot, Clyne, Lerma, Wharton, Sosa, Pino, Devenny, Uche
Key points
- Arsenal are on a strong run at home.
- Crystal Palace have been leaking goals in recent weeks.
- Bench depth heavily favours the Gunners.
- A semi-final place is at stake — motivation will be sky-high.
Football Predictions Arsenal vs Crystal Palace
Arsenal to win
At their ground and against a Palace in trouble, Arsenal have all the tools to make the difference. Even if they’re not at their most dazzling, the Gunners should find what they need to win and keep their march toward Wembley alive.
First: a word on our predictions
- What we publish on Mathodds are analyses, nothing more. We share an opinion, a read of the moment, not a guarantee. Sport is what it is: unpredictable. A red card, an injury, a freak goal… and the script changes completely.
- Let’s be clear: there’s no risk-free bet. Even when something looks “obvious”, it rarely is. Yes, that means you can lose. It’s inevitable at some point.
- Best policy is to be sensible. Stake small, set a budget and stick to it. Don’t touch money you need to live on. And above all: don’t chase losses — it rarely ends well.
- Betting should stay a hobby, not a job or a source of income. If it takes over your life, annoys you or stresses you out, take a break. If needed, talk to a specialist organisation. That’s what they’re there for.
- Ultimately, the responsibility is yours. Reading our content means accepting the risk exists and won’t disappear, even with the best analysis.
- Essential reminder: betting is banned for minors and must comply with your local laws. Gambling can spiral (money losses, family tensions, addiction). Need Help? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. In the UK? Visit https://www.gambleaware.org/https://www.gambleaware.org/.
No commitment from us
Our predictions aren’t a contract. They carry no legal weight. Plain and simple: you can’t rely on them to make a claim if a bet loses.
Details can change
A tip is based on what we know when we write it. In the meantime a team sheet changes, a player gets injured, the weather turns… and the analysis can be out of date fast. We can’t be held responsible for that.
Your role
Before you bet, just check that gambling is legal where you live. If it’s not, that’s your responsibility, not ours.
Responsible gambling first
We won’t repeat it enough: gamble responsibly. If you struggle to stay in control, don’t wait to get help. We can’t be responsible for compulsive or excessive use of the site’s information.
Legal age
Mathodds content is intended for adults only. By browsing here you confirm you’re of the legal age to bet.
About the visuals
The images and logos on Mathodds, including those of Arsenal and Crystal Palace, linked to the Premier League, are there simply to illustrate our articles. They don’t mean we have an official link with any federation or sporting organisation, and we claim no rights over them.
These rights belong to the original creators. If, despite our vigilance, a visual causes an issue, contact us and it will be removed without delay.
Our only goal with these images is to make the reading more pleasant. Nothing more. No commercial gain, no claiming someone else’s work.
Leave a Reply