Arsenal vs Crystal Palace. Premier League.
Emirates StadiumAttendance59,961.
Sunday 17 April 2016 15:05, UK
Arsene Wenger could recall Petr Cech when Arsenal take on Crystal Palace at the Emirates on Sunday, live on Super Sunday.
Wenger retained the services of David Ospina in goal for the Gunners' 3-3 draw with West Ham last weekend, despite Cech's return from a month-long injury lay-off with a calf injury.
The former Chelsea goalkeeper was an unused substitute at Upton Park, but Wenger is set to recall the 33-year-old as the Frenchman's side look to keep their slim title hopes alive against Palace.
Arsenal, who are 13 points behind Leicester, could find themselves 16 points behind Claudio Ranieri's men by the time they kick off at the Emirates, with the league leaders hosting West Ham earlier in the day.
Team news
Alongside Cech, Wenger could also consider recalling Per Mertesacker, given Palace's aerial threat and that he acknowledged that weakness to his team at West Ham.
Aaron Ramsey came on as a substitute at Upton Park and is also in contention to start, but Jack Wilshere (leg) and Tomas Rosicky (thigh) are not yet ready, despite featuring for the Under-21s.
Santi Cazorla (Achilles) and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (knee) remain unfit.
For the visitors, Dwight Gayle will miss the trip to Arsenal with a leg muscle problem.
Wilfried Zaha remains a doubt with a shoulder complaint and will face a late fitness test.
Palace boss Alan Pardew still hopes to have striker Gayle fit in time for the FA Cup semi-final against Watford on Sunday, April 24.
Opta stats
Arsenal have won 10 and lost just one of their 13 Premier League games against Palace, including winning the last six in a row.
The Gunners have won none of their three London derbies at home in the Premier League this season (D1 L2).
Palace have taken fewer points in London derbies (four) than any of the clubs from the capital this season.
OIivier Giroud has gone 11 Premier League games without scoring, his longest drought without a goal in the competition (606 minutes in total).
Former Gunner Emmanuel Adebayor has scored on two of his last three appearances as a visiting player at the Emirates.
Alan Pardew's side have won none of their last seven Premier League games on the road (D4 L3).
Mesut Ozil has assisted just twice in his last 12 Premier League games, this after providing 16 assists in his first 18 games of the season.
Paul Merson's prediction
Arsenal are the best team in the world when the pressure is off. They will win this game because Crystal Palace are in a position where they can afford to rest players ahead of the FA Cup semi-final.
They can lose this game heavily, it won't matter. The manager, the players and the fans will move on to Wembley. Arsenal will win this game.
PAUL PREDICTS: 3-0 (Sky Bet odds 7/1)
Betting
Arsenal are 4/11 favourites with Sky Bet for the visit of 15/2 shots Crystal Palace. The Gunners are out to 28/1 to win the title after last week's 3-3 draw with West Ham, while Palace will be desperate to end a winless 12-match run against Arsene Wenger's men after all but dragging themselves out of the relegation equation, drifting to 200/1 to go down after seeing off Norwich and drawing with Everton.
Arsenal have won the last three meetings 2-1 and it's 15/2 for that trend to continue, while the Gunners to score exactly two goals is 9/4.
Arsenal legend Charlie Nicholas has gone for a 33/1 scorecast, with Arsenal winning 2-1 and Mesut Ozil netting the opener. See all the latest odds and Price Boosts here.
