Crystal Palace earned its first win of 2016 last week against Norwich City to ultimately pull away from the relegation zone, likely once and for all. The Eagles aren't quite in the clear yet, and getting points at Arsenal would be a welcome addition to their 38-point tally.
Soccer Odds at BookMaker.eu
Arsenal -290
Crystal Palace +846
Draw +424
Over/Under 3 (under -125)
ODDS ANALYSIS
Arsenal is a huge favorite in this match at -290 on the moneyline, and that translates into being favored by a goal and a half on the Asian Handicap. The Gunners though, are 9-3-3 at home, and that's why they're such favorites. It should be noted though, that Crystal Palace is 5-5-5 on the road, a very respectable mark for a team which is still mired in a potential relegation scrap.
The total has to be a little higher than usual because of the high nature of the spread. The number to beat is 3 with -125 vig on the under.
KEY INJURIES
The Gunners are starting to get a little healthier at this point, though it might be too late for them to put together a title push. Jack Wilshere, Tomas Rosicky, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Santiago Cazorla are all still out.
Crystal Palace is still playing without two of its top dogs, Marouane Chamakh and Kwesi Appiah. James McArthur is also on the shelf for a short period of time thanks to an ankle injury.
RECENT FORM
Palace has managed to get three straight positive results, and that's why it's now firmly on the right side of the relegation zone. The team has sandwiched draws against West Ham and Everton with a 1-0 victory against Norwich City. Four of the last five matches for the Eagles across all competitions have stayed under the total.
Arsenal has been in a goal scoring mood of late. The team has put at least two in the back of the net in three straight games. The results haven't all been fantastic, though. Sure, the club beat Everton and Watford, but in a much tougher game at West Ham last weekend, the Gunners were stuck with a 3-3 draw.
ANALYSIS AND ODDS PREDICTION
We really love the way Arsenal is playing right now. When it's been going against lesser teams, it's been getting the job done, and we don’t see a reason why that's going to change in this one. Olivia Giroud, Aaron Ramsey, Theo Walcott and Danny Welbeck are all playing quite well right now up front, and we're not sure Crystal Palace will have the answers for them.
For as great as the results have been for CP in recent weeks, this isn't an attainable fixture as we see it. The Eagles have been playing well in the midfield, but they haven't really been challenged by forward-thinking strikers of such talent as they'll have to take on here. Let's not forget that this team has been challenged offensively. The goal against Norwich City more or less came against the run of play, and there weren't many phenomenal opportunities against Everton in the middle of the week.
With the Eagles almost certainly assured of safety at this point with just a handful of soccer matches left, we have to think this is a match they're going to punt, especially on a short week of prep after having played on Wednesday at Selhurst Park against Everton.
Barclays Premier League Odds: Arsenal 3, Crystal Palace 0
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