Arsenal v Crystal Palace: Back Gunners to dominate Eagles again
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Despite back-to-back defeats leading up to Christmas, Arsenal’s hopes of lifting the Premier League trophy are still alive, thanks to the club’s fantastic home form. And that’s set to continue as they welcome Crystal Palace to the Emirates on New Year’s Day.
The last time the Eagles won this fixture, Whigfield was top of the charts with disco earworm ‘Saturday Night’, Britain was flocking to see ‘The Lion King’ and George Graham was in charge of the Gunners – it was October 1994.
Since then, Arsenal have had a sensational record in this fixture, winning eight and drawing three of the last 11 meetings, including a 5-1 demolition of Palace in north London back in 2005.
But while another four-goal margin of victory is perhaps unlikely, the hosts’ form at the Emirates this season means this looks every bit the home banker.
Arsene Wenger’s men have taken 20 points from their nine home league games in 2016-17, and victory over Palace would make it four in a row on their own patch.
That means it’s no surprise to see the Gunners priced at 1/3 for victory, with Palace 8/1 to win and 9/2 available for the draw.
However, with only modest returns available for Arsene Wenger’s men to simply secure the points, the best value lies elsewhere.
Palace tend to get on the scoresheet even when they lose, with Big Sam’s boys having found the net in nine of their last 10 games. So the 7/4 for Arsenal to win and both teams to score could prove a very savvy selection.
One of the visitors’ main problems this season has been throwing away leads. They’ve led and dropped points in three of their last six outings, so the 15/2 for Arsenal to come from behind and win also looks a smart bet.
Meanwhile, in the player markets, it’s all about Alexis Sanchez.
The classy Chilean has scored twice or more in four games already this season – including a hat-trick in the 5-1 demolition of West Ham United last month.
That means the 3/1 on offer for him to net multiple goals here is well worth a flutter, especially in light of Palace’s defensive woes.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
