Arsenal vs. Crystal Palace—Carabao Cup: Preview, Predictions and Lineups

Seven of the pair’s last eight meetings have gone the way of the Gunners.

Arsenal have already conquered Crystal Palace this term. / Visionhaus/IMAGO

Arsenal and Crystal Palace will compete for a place in the semifinal of the Carabao Cup in their final outing before Christmas.

Due to Palace’s hectic schedule, their quarterfinal clash at Emirates Stadium is taking place a week after the other last eight matches. That means both sides know their potential semi-final opposition, with a London derby certain as Chelsea await Tuesday’s victor. Newcastle United and Manchester City will contest the other semi.

Arsenal will be favourites for the battle in north London, not solely because of home advantage. The Gunners ensured top spot in the Premier League at Christmas with their narrow weekend win over Everton, maintaining a two-point lead over chief chasers Man City.

Mikel Arteta’s men have responded to their late defeat at Aston Villa with three successive victories and two clean sheets, with the Spanish coach, who is desperate to bring a first major title to the Emirates since the FA Cup in 2020, eager to extend a winning streak against Palace.

FREE NEWSLETTER. New SI FC Newsletter Global Embed. Sign Up to Get Informed With SI FC. dark

Palace have already been beaten by Arsenal this season and their frenetic calendar is catching up with them. An underwhelming draw with Finnish side KuPS in the Europa Conference League has been sandwiched in between three-goal defeats to Man City and Leeds United in the Premier League.

Oliver Glasner’s men will have to overcome fatigue for their trip to Arsenal as they seek another day out at Wembley.

Here is Sports Illustrated’s preview of the game.

---

What Time Does Arsenal vs. Crystal Palace Kick Off?

• Location: London, England
• Stadium: Emirates Stadium
• Date: Tuesday, Dec. 23
• Kick-off Time: 8 p.m. GMT / 3 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. PT
• Referee: Stuart Attwell
• VAR: Not in use

---

Arsenal vs. Crystal Palace Head-to-Head Record (Last Five Games)

• Arsenal: 4 wins
• Crystal Palace: 0 wins
• Draws: 1

• Last meeting: Arsenal 1–0 Crystal Palace (Oct. 26, 2025)—Premier League

---

Current Form (All Competitions)

Arsenal	Crystal Palace
Everton 0–1 Arsenal - 20/12/25	Leeds 4–1 Crystal Palace - 20/12/25
Arsenal 2–1 Wolves - 13/12/25	Crystal Palace 2–2 KuPS - 18/12/25
Club Brugge 0–3 Arsenal - 10/12/25	Crystal Palace 0–3 Man City - 14/12/25
Aston Villa 2–1 Arsenal - 06/12/25	Shelbourne 0–3 Crystal Palace - 11/12/25
Arsenal 2–0 Brentford - 03/12/25	Fulham 1–2 Crystal Palace - 07/12/25

---

How to Watch Arsenal vs. Crystal Palace on TV, Live Stream

Country	TV channel/live stream
United Kingdom	ITV 1, ITVX, STV, STV Player, Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Football, Sky Ultra HD, Sky GO, Sky GO Extra
United States	Paramount+
Canada	DAZN Canada, fuboTV Canada
Mexico	Not televised

• MORE: Full list of Carabao Cup broadcasters around the world

---

Arsenal Team News

Eberechi Eze could haunt his old side again. / Visionhaus/Getty Images

Arteta is expected to make changes for the clash with Palace despite it being the quarterfinal of a major cup competition, with Arsenal’s more peripheral figures likely to earn minutes. Kepa Arrizabalaga, Christian Nørgaard, Noni Madueke and Gabriel Jesus are among those likely to start in the capital.

Eberechi Eze scored the winner against Palace in the Premier League back in late October and could haunt his former employers once more having been an unused substitute in two of the past three matches.

Arsenal are still missing personnel through injury, with the absence of Gabriel, Cristhian Mosquera and Ben White limiting Arteta’s options in defence. Further forward, Kai Havertz and Max Dowman are sidelined.

---

Arsenal Predicted Lineup vs. Crystal Palace

Arsenal will make changes to their team. / FotMob

Arsenal predicted lineup vs. Crystal Palace (4-2-3-1): Kepa; Timber, Saliba, Hincapié, Lewis-Skelly; Nørgaard, Merino; Madueke, Eze, Martinelli; Jesus.

---

Crystal Palace Team News

Jean-Philippe Mateta could be benched. / Julian Finney/Getty Images

With their thin squad being further stretched by the week, Glasner will likely make some alterations from his regular Premier League XI for Tuesday’s game.

The Austrian will be without Ismaïla Sarr as the Senegal international has jetted off to the Africa Cup of Nations, while key right wing back Daniel Muñoz is joined by Daichi Kamada, Chadi Riad, Cheick Doucouré, Caleb Kporha and Rio Cardines in the treatment room.

Jean-Philippe Mateta could be rested as Palace try to manage his ongoing knee injury, meaning a start for Christantus Uche, while Jefferson Lerma, Justin Devenny and Jaydee Canvot could all come into the team.

---

Crystal Palace Predicted Lineup vs. Arsenal

Palace lack depth. / FotMob

Crystal Palace predicted lineup vs. Arsenal (3-4-2-1): Benítez; Canvot, Lacroix, Guéhi; Clyne, Lerma, Wharton, Sosa; Devenny, Pino; Uche.

---

Arsenal vs. Crystal Palace Score Prediction

Arsenal’s superior quality and squad depth should carry them into the last four of the Carabao Cup, with Arteta still boasting a wealth of options if he decides to make changes. The Gunners are masters of edging low-scoring affairs and will fancy their chances of nullifying a weakened Palace attack.

The Eagles are looking tired and their 4–1 defeat to Leeds underscored their issues amid a brutal schedule. Just two days separated their draw with KuPS and the trip to Elland Road, with only another three days between the Leeds defeat and journey to Arsenal.

It should prove a challenge too great for Glasner’s side on Tuesday.

Prediction: Arsenal 2–0 Crystal Palace

---

READ THE LATEST ARSENAL NEWS, TRANSFER RUMOURS AND MORE

feed