Can Palace make life awkward for the champions, or will Arsenal's quality tell again at Selhurst Park?
Crystal Palace host Arsenal in a Premier League meeting that still carries plenty of intrigue despite the season’s wider storyline already being decided. The contrast between Palace’s resilience at home and Arsenal’s title-winning confidence sets up a tactical battle worth watching.
Crystal Palace come into this match with a mixed overall run, but their home record has been much sturdier than the raw results suggest. They have taken 2 wins and 3 draws from 6 at home, averaging 1.17 goals there, and Glasner’s plan to use the strongest available side while managing minutes hints at some rotation risk without a full-scale reset.
Palace have generally kept games competitive at Selhurst Park, and that matters against a champion side that still brings plenty of control. Their recent scoring numbers are modest, though, and the lack of a clear edge in attack means they will likely need to stay compact and take chances when Arsenal’s back line is stretched. The home support and the motivation of a marquee occasion should help, but the margin for error remains thin.
The head-to-head record is heavily one-sided, with Arsenal winning 5 of the last 6 meetings and Palace still searching for a first victory in that run. Those games have often been tighter than the win-loss split suggests, with an average total of just 0.67 goals pointing to a highly controlled, low-scoring pattern.
Venue has not changed the trend much, as Arsenal have consistently found a way to handle this fixture whether at home or away. The numbers suggest Palace usually struggle to create enough volume against them, while Arsenal’s discipline and defensive shape have repeatedly limited the game’s open-play chaos.
Unlock detailed score predictions, tactical analysis, and expert insights for this match
Arsenal arrive in excellent shape overall, with 4 wins from their last 6 away from home and 1.67 goals scored per road game. Their title has already been secured, but the recent news flow still points to a confident squad with strong morale, even if there is some longer-term injury concern around Jurrien Timber.
Away from home, Arsenal have been efficient rather than explosive, and their H2H record against Palace is eye-catching enough to reinforce their edge. The only real question is whether there is any drop in intensity now that the pressure of the title race has gone, but their structure, set-piece threat and depth still make them difficult to play through. If they start well, they should be able to control the tempo without needing a shootout.