The upcoming Premier League match between Arsenal and Crystal Palace has significant implications for both ends of the table.
A victory for Arsenal would increase their lead over Manchester City by eight points with one more game played before the final international break of the season.
On the other hand, Palace, who are just three points away from the relegation zone, would be hoping to pull off one of the biggest results of the season.
Crystal Palace was one of the most impressive teams in the Premier League last season, finishing 12th and performing better than their expected goal difference suggested.
Their success was largely due to their impressive defense, finishing seventh in goals conceded and fifth in expected goals allowed.
This defensive performance made them a trendy pick for the 2022-23 season.
Although they lost their opening game against Arsenal, they put up a good fight, and things were looking up for the Eagles.
However, Palace has struggled in all aspects of the game since then, particularly in defense.
They currently rank 12th in non-penalty expected goals allowed, 13th in big scoring chances conceded, and are the fourth-worst team in the league in preventing opposition from entering their 18-yard box.
This is a surprising development considering they have the same manager and a similar unit to last year.
Arsenal, on the other hand, should have no issues breaking down Palace’s defense, as they take more shots and create more box entries than any other team in the league.
Additionally, they rank second in both expected goals created and big scoring chances generated.
While Arsenal’s defense has slightly declined since the World Cup break, they still have one of the best defenses in the world.
However, Palace could still find a way to score.
Overall, Arsenal is expected to do most of the heavy lifting for an over 3.5 game, but Palace may also contribute to the scoreline.
The match could have significant ramifications for both teams, with Arsenal looking to cement their position at the top of the table and Palace fighting to avoid relegation.