Arsenal vs Crystal Palace, Premier League 2015/16: Where to watch live, preview, betting odds and possible XI

mesut ozil — Mesut Ozil is a key player for Arsenal Getty

Arsenal take on Crystal Palace in the weekend Premier League clash at the Emirates Stadium on 17 April.

Where to watch live

Kick-off is scheduled at 4pm BST. Live coverage of the game is available on Sky Sports 1 and Sky Sports 1 HD. Catch the highlights of the game on BBC Match of the Day on BBC One and BBC One HD at 10.25pm BST.

Overview

Arsenal host Crystal Palace in what is a very important game for both sides at the Emirates Stadium. Arsene Wenger's side come into this game currently lodged on fourth place on the points table with 59 points from 32 games, just one point behind third placed Manchester City.

Wenger has refused to give up on his side's hopes of overtaking league leaders Leicester City who they trail by 13 points with six games to go, but that looks unlikely given the way the league leaders have been playing off late. What is off primary importance for the north London outfit is to secure a top four spot, something which will be made all the more easier if they win against the Eagles on 17 April.

Jack Wilshere is not ready to be involved despite playing for the U-21 side following his recovery from a broken leg while keeper Petr Cech is expected to be recalled to the side in place of David Ospina who started in their 3-3 draw against West Ham United last weekend.

Crystal Palace come into this game on the back of some improved performances, picking up five points from their last three games. Alan Pardew is convinced that they have starved off relegation fears with his side now placed 16<sup>th on the table with 38 points, eight points more than 18<sup>th placed Sunderland.

A win against Arsenal here, will help the Eagles breathe more comfortably but as history shows, no team has gone down after securing 38 points since 2011, a fact which in all probability will not change this season. Dwight Gayle is ruled out of the clash due to a leg muscle problem, while Wilfried Zaha will undergo a late fitness test on a shoulder problem.

What the manager says:

Arsene Wenger: "Crystal Palace should be completely safe even if they may still need one or two points. They're a team with good offensive potential, with strong individuals like Yannic Bolasie, Wilfried Zaha, Emmanuel Adebayor, Conor Wickham. So we have to rectify the fact we conceded three at West Ham and come back to being strong defensively."

Alan Pardew: "Just recently my run against Wenger has been poor but there have been some very tight games, especially the home game. You can only put your best display on, they've only lost three at Emirates. There's a bit more of a bounce in our step since these recent results. Since West Brom our performances have been strong, we deserve a few more points if we're honest."