Arsenal and Crystal Palace meet in the delayed Carabao Cup quarter-final tie with both sides eager to set up a semi-final tie with Chelsea in the next round
Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal, and Oliver Glasner, Manager of Crystal Palace, look on
Arsenal and Crystal Palace face a busy fixture list(Image: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
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The last spot in the EFL Cup semi-finals will be decided on Tuesday evening at the Emirates Stadium, as London rivals Arsenal and Crystal Palace face off in the concluding quarter-final clash.
Arsenal secured their place in the last eight with victories over Port Vale and Brighton & Hove Albion, while Crystal Palace overcame Millwall and record holders Liverpool on their quest for silverware.
None of Arsenal’s current first-team players were born the last time the club lifted the EFL Cup—a trophy they have only claimed twice, in 1987 and 1993. Now, however, the Gunners are just one step away from a return to Wembley. The competition has been dominated in recent years by Manchester City and Liverpool, thanks to their deep squads, but after a £250m summer investment, Arsenal now boast similar strength in depth, even as injuries continue to challenge Mikel Arteta’s side.
The North Londoners have now reached the EFL Cup quarter-finals for the fourth time in six seasons, winning their last two ties at this stage in 2021-22 and 2024-25, though both campaigns ended with semi-final exits.
Taking a short break from their Premier League title chase, Arsenal come into this cup tie on a high after a 1-0 win at Everton on Saturday—a result that ensured they will spend Christmas Day at the summit of the table. Arteta’s men are riding a three-game winning streak in all competitions and have won 11 of their 12 home fixtures this season, including each of their last nine.
That impressive run includes a narrow victory over Crystal Palace in October, a match where former Palace star Eberechi Eze haunted his old club. Palace followed that defeat with a daunting trip to Liverpool in the cup, but a near full-strength Eagles side comfortably dispatched a youthful Reds team 3-0, keeping their hopes alive for a third trophy in 12 months after last season’s FA Cup and Community Shield triumphs.
However, the demands of competing on multiple fronts are starting to take their toll at Selhurst Park. Oliver Glasner’s side arrive at the Emirates without a win in their last three outings, having lost both of their most recent Premier League matches. While Palace’s youngsters earned a 2-2 draw with KuPS in the Conference League, the first team suffered a heavy 4-1 defeat to Leeds United on Saturday, conceding nine goals across their last three games.
History is not on Palace’s side either. Arsenal memorably edged the Eagles 3-2 in last season’s EFL Cup quarter-finals, thanks to a Gabriel Jesus hat-trick. Another win for the Gunners this week would set up a semi-final showdown with Chelsea.
Arsenal vs Crystal Palace Prediction
Arsenal to win and both teams to score - 5/2 (Betfred)
Jean-Philippe Mateta to score anytime - 5/2 (Betfred)
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