Crystal Palace v Arsenal – Team News, Probable Starting Lineups,Tactics And Prediction

Crystal Palace host Arsenal FC at Selhurst Park on Saturday and this clash couldn’t have come at a worse time for the home side. This game has all the makings and could turn out to be another exciting London derby.

Crystal Palace are currently 19^th in the points table having registered a solitary win in the season so far. In fact the Eagles have won only one of their last 10 matches in all competitions. But the big news ahead of this game for the home side is the departure of their manager Ian Holloway. The Englishman, who has been in charge of the club since last year, stepped down after admitting that the club “needs and impetus of energy”. Keith Millen has been appointed as the caretaker manager for the Arsenal match, while Tony Pulis is rumoured to be the favourite to replace Holloway.

Arsenal on the other hand are enjoying life at the top of the Premier League with a two point advantage over Chelsea. The Gunners have lost just once in their last 13 matches in all competitions and that defeat came in their Champions League fixture against Borussia Dortmund this week. Despite their good start to the season, a lot of critics are still skeptical about them launching a serious title challenge and their upcoming fixtures against Liverpool and Manchester United will prove to be the litmus test. But before those fixtures, Arsenal will have to chance to extend their lead at the top as Chelsea and Manchester City go head to head this weekend.

The last match between these two London sides came back in 2005 and Arsenal won that game comfortably with a 5-1 score line with Thierry Henry scoring a brace. Henry also scored in the reverse fixture at Selhurst Park that season, but Aki Riihilahti equalized and salvaged a draw.

Crystal Palace – Team News, Lineup And Formation

Keith Millen faces few injury concerns ahead of this game. Patrick McCarthy, Jack Hunt, Glenn Murray and Jonathan Williams are all out of contention due to injuries. Glenn Murray’s absence has been a big blow for Palace this season so far, as their strikers have misfired upfront.

Palace succumbed to a 4-1 defeat at the hands of Fulham in their last game, despite taking an early lead through Adrian Muriappa. Millen is unlikely to make any significant tactical changes to the side, which means the team will continue to play in their 4-3-3 formation. But he is sure to make two changes to the starting line-up that was fielded against Fulham.

28-year-old midfielder Kagisho Dikgacoi will replace Stuart O’Keefe at the middle of the part, alongside Mile Jedinak and Jose Campana. Upfront Dwight Gayle, who didn’t have a good outing against Fulham, is likely to drop back the bench, with former Arsenal striker Marouane Chamakh leading the line.

Chamakh will have a point to prove against his former club and could possibly churn out a better performance. Crystal Palace’s problems have been two fold – they are not only conceding a lot of goals, they are also failing to score them. The London side has conceded 13 goals in their last five matches, and managed to score only two during that period. The strikers haven’t looked impressive, except for Dwight Gayle who looks like a good prospect.

Mile Jedinak has perhaps been their most impressive player this season, but he hasn’t received too much support from his fellow midfielders. Against Arsenal, the likes of Bolasie and Puncheon will need to track back to help out their full backs, something which they haven’t done diligently so far.

Possible Starting Line up [4-3-3]: Speroni (GK); Moxey, Delaney, Mariappa, Ward; Dikgacoi, Jedinak, Campana; Bolasie, Chamakh, Puncheon

Crystal Palace v Arsenal – Lineup And Formation

Arsenal – Team News, Lineup And Formation

Arsenal have the longest injury list in the Premier League at the moment. Although the squad hasn’t been too stretched so far, but Arsene Wenger didn’t have the option to rest his key players for low profile matches. Abou Diany, Yaya Sanogo, Lukas Podolski, Alex Oxlade Chamberlain and Theo Walcott are all out of contention for this game with fitness concerns, while there are doubts about the fitness of Jack Wilshere and Mathieu Flamini – although the latter is expected to recover from his concussion in time for this game.

Arsenal did suffer from a disappointing defeat against Borussia Dortmund in their last game and their performance in that match left a lot to be desired. Arsene Wenger is expected to make two changes to the side that lost at the Emirates in midweek. Midfield enforcer Mathieu Flamini will return to partner Mikel Arteta in front of the defence, while Santi Cazorla will replace Thomas Rosicky. Flamini’s return will see Wilshere, who has an ankle problem, being dropped to the bench, with Ramsey playing on the right.

Flamini’s return will provide the bite they were lacking at the center of the park against Dortmund. The Frenchman has made a huge impact since signing for the club this summer, and has cemented his place in the side. Flamini’s presence not only enhances defensive solidarity of the side, but it also allows the other more attacking players to play with a sense of freedom.

Aaron Ramsey will once again start on the right as Wenger doesn’t have Theo Walcott available at his disposal. The Welshman who has been in fine form this season and scored a brilliant goal against Norwich in their last league game, isn’t exactly comfortable playing out wide, like Wilshere. But Arsenal’s attacking trio behind Giroud are all flexible and will continue to switch throughout the match. Ozil drifts out wide at times, leaving space for Ramsey to move in field. This movement at the top has been a pleasure to watch this season from Arsenal.

Possible Starting Line-Up [4-2-3-1]: Szczesny (GK); Sagna, Koscielny, Mertesacker, Gibbs; Arteta, Flamini; Ramsey, Ozil, Cazorla; Giroud

Key Facts

1. Two of Arsenal’s three Premier League title winning campaigns (1997/98 and 2001/02) have seen them pick up fewer points from their opening eight games of the season than they have this term (19).
2. Despite having been relegated in each of their previous four Premier League seasons, Palace have made their worst start to a PL campaign; picking up just three points.
3. No team has used more different players in the Premier League this season than both Arsenal and Crystal Palace (24).
4. Arsenal are unbeaten in 13 competitive away games, winning 11 and drawing twice.
5. Eight different Arsenal players have netted a goal in the Premier League this season; no side have had more individual goalscorers (Chelsea also have eight).

Player To Watch Out For

Olivier Giroud (Arsenal)

While the likes of Mesut Ozil and Aaron Ramsey has grabbed all the headlines, Olivier Giroud has hardly received the praise his performances has deserved. The Frenchman, who received a lot of criticism last season, is looking like a completely transformed player this season. Apart from his excellent hold-up play, the big striker is also scoring for fun and has already racked up six goals in all competitions so far. Giroud also has a fantastic touch for such a big striker and his flick to set up Wilshere last weekend was a treat to watch.

Prediction

Crystal Palace 0-3 Arsenal

Crystal Palace will be nervy at the moment and Arsenal will come out hard at them in order to bounce back from their defeat against Dortmund. The home side will work hard, but the Gunner shave too much quality in their squad for Palace to handle. The away side should win this comfortably with a three goal advantage.

West Brom v Arsenal – Team News, Probable Starting Lineups,Tactics And Prediction

West Bromwich Albion host Arsenal FC at the Hawthorns on Sunday in what promises to be an exciting match. Historically Arsenal have had the upper hand in this fixture and have won four of the last six meetings with the Baggies. The Hawthorns have been a happy hunting ground for the Gunners – winning five of their last six games. This two sides have already faced each other in the League Cup, where Arsenal managed to grab a hard fought win on penalties after Saido Berahino cancelled out Thomas Eisfeld’s opener.

After a fairly disappointing start to their league campaign West Brom are slowly but steadily climbing up the points table. They have won their last two game in the league, including a memorable victory over Manchester United at the Old Trafford in their last game. It was a historic result and nothing short of what their performance deserved. Morgan Amalfitano and youngster Saido Berahino scored for the away side, as West Brom jumped up to 10th in the league table.

Arsenal are currently one of the most in form side in Europe at the moment, having won their last 10 matches in all competitions. The Gunners have had a fantastic start to their season and currently leads the Premier League points table having won five of the opening six matches.

The Gunners are coming into this game on the back of a brilliant performance against Napoli in the Champions League and they will be confident of maintaining their record breaking away form in this trip to the West Midlands.

Team News and Tactical Brief
 

West Bromwich Albion
Steve Clarke have a lot of injury worries to contain with ahead of this fixture. Matej Vydra, Zoltan Gera, Ben Foster and Chris Bunt are still out injured and out of contention for this fixture. There are also doubts about the fitness of Nicolas Anelka, James Morrison and Scott Sinclair, although the later is expected start from the bench.

Clarke is expected to make only one change to the side that won at Old Trafford last weekend. Scott Sinclair, who was replaced by Saido Berahino in the 13th minute of the match against Manchester United will lose his place in the side. 20-year-old Englishman Berahino, who scored against Arsenal in the League cup this season, will make his first start in the league this season after impressing everyone with his footballing abilities.

West Brom will deploy similar tactics to the one they used so successfully against Manchester United. Steve Clarke will use his favoured 4-2-3-1 formation with Yacob and Mulumbu protecting the defence. The duo will play a crucial role in breaking up Arsenal’s play and putting the likes of Ozil and Wilshere under pressure when they have possession in the attacking third.

The Baggies will sit deep and will look to hit Arsenal on the counter attacks. Anichebe has added a lot of physicality upfront and is capable of holding up play. In Berahino, Sessegnon and Amalfitano they have a potent attack that is capable of causing problems to the Arsenal defence.

Steve Clarke will look to use the pace of his wingers and Sessegnon to exploit the space left behind by the marauding Arsenal full-backs. West Brom themselves have been fairly resolute at the back with Jonas Olsson in fine form presently.

Probable Starting Line up [4-2-3-1]: Myhill (GK); Jones, McAuley, Olsson, Ridgewell; Yacob, Mulumbu; Berahino, Sessegnon, Amalfitano; Anichebe

Arsenal
Like Steve Clarke, Arsene Wenger has a long injury list to contain with at the moment. Abou Diaby, Yaya Sanogo, Lukas Podolski, Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade Chamberlain are all out injured at the moment. Santi Cazorla is reportedly close to attaining full fitness and a return to the starting line-up, but Wenger is reportedly unwilling to risk him before the international break is over. There are also slight concerns about the fitness of Sagna before this game, but the Frenchman is expected recover in time.

Arsene Wenger is expected to make only one change to the starting eleven that was fielded against Napoli in the midweek. Jack Wilshere, who came on as a substitute in that game, will replace Tomas Rosicky in the line-up. The Czech international is returning from an injury and Arsene Wenger is unlikely to many risks with him at the moment.

Arsene Wenger has the problem of plenty in the attacking half of the midfield in the squad and with the likes of Cazorla, Walcott and Podolski set to return, it will be interesting to see the combination he favours with a full fit squad. Aaron Ramsey started on the right against Napoli, although he later switched positions with Rosicky and Ozil as the match progressed. It has certainly increased the fluidity and movement in the attacking third and something which creates a  lot of space for them to manoeuvre the ball.

Against West Brom, Wilshere is expected to start on the left, Ozil through the middle and Ramsey on the right, although none is expected to stick to that role. The midfield partnership of Arteta and Flamini is a new one for the Gunners, and one that worked well against Napoli. Flamini’s return to the club has certainly added a lot of steel to the midfield, something which they have lacked for a while. The duo of Flamini and Arteta will be crucial in stopping the West Brom counter attacks and they will have to cover the space left behind by Gibbs and Sagna.

Probable Starting Line-Up [4-2-3-1]: Szczesny (GK); Sagna, Koscielny, Mertesacker, Gibbs; Arteta, Flamini; Ramsey, Ozil, Wilshere; Giroud

Key Facts

1. West Brom have won two successive matches in the Barclays Premier League – the last time they won three in a row was in November 2012.
2. The Gunners have scored a league-high four goals in the opening 15 minutes of Barclays Premier League games this season.
3. Arsenal FC have scored the first goal of the game in each of their six Premier League games this season.
4. Arsene Wenger’s side have made a league-high tally of 12 through-balls in the Premier League this season.
5. Steve Clarke has the best win percentage of any West Brom manager in the Premier League (36.4%).

Player To Watch Out For
Morgan Amalfitano (West Brom)

The 28-year-old Frenchman has been in brilliant form this season and has already made a huge impact upon his arrival from France. The former Marseille player has added a lot of spark to West Brom’s attack, something which was highlighted in the match against Manchester United. Amalfitano almost single-handedly took the game to United – scoring one and setting up another. Arsenal defenders, specially Gibbs will have to keep a close eye on the Frenchman in this game.

Prediction
West Brom 1-3 Arsenal

Both the sides are high on confidence at the moment, something which should lead to an entertaining match. West Brom will come out hard at Arsenal, but the Gunners’ superior quality on the pitch should help them tackle this tricky encounter and maintain their fine run of form. Arsenal should win this by a two goal margin.

Real Madrid vs FC Copenhagen Preview: Probable Lineup, Missing Players, Team News, & Prediction | UEFA Champions League - 2013/2014

Probable Lineup

Missing Players

Team News

Real Madrid

• Real Madrid fell to a disappointing 1-0 defeat at the hands of rivals Atletico Madrid at the weekend and will look to bounce back from the defeat against Danish side Copenhagen.
• Carlo Ancelotti may look to make a number of chances, with Raphael Varane expected to come in at centre-back and Álvaro Arbeloa dropping to the bench
• Xabi Alonso and Marcelo are both sidelined with injury, while Gareth Bale will also miss out as Real look to build on their 6-1 win over Galatasaray last month.

FC Copenhagen

• Coach Stale Solbakken will have his full squad available and therefore will likely field his strongest XI when travelling to the Bernabeu.
• The Danish side may same the same team that secured a morale boosting draw against Juventus last time out.

Prediction

• Real Madrid's disappointing defeat to Atletico Madrid has highlighted weaknesses within the squad and Carlos Ancelotti must eradicate the problems in the team and quickly.
• Copenhagen are underperforming in the Danish Superliga and currently sit 11th after taking just 10 points from the opening 10 games this season.
• With the poor form of the Danes, coupled with home advantage and the superior strength in depth in Real, a comfortable home win is the expected outcome at the Bernabeu.

Champions League Preview: Celtic vs Barcelona

A Barcelona side without Lionel Messi has been found out time and again in recent years. There is little doubt that the Spanish giants are not the same dominating side without their talisman, and come Tuesday night, Celtic will look to exploit that particular aspect when the two sides meet in the Champions League.

"(Messi's absence) is obviously very good news for us," Celtic manager Neil Lennon said. "For me he's the best player in the world. There's sadness too because it's always fantastic to see the greatest here in Glasgow."

Messi has been ruled out for up to three weeks with injury and in the Argentine's absence, a certain Brazilian, who came to Barcelona amid much fanfare in the summer, will be expected to take over the reins.

Neymar has not had a spectacular start to life at Barcelona, but it has been quite good and effective. The talented forward has looked at home in a Barcelona shirt, while his understanding with Messi just keeps getting better with every passing game.

He will of course now be the cynosure in Messi's absence and the Brazilian will do well not to be daunted by the atmosphere at Celtic Park on Tuesday night.

It was the immense support that helped the Scottish champions to one of the upsets of the Champions League last season - a 2-1 win over Barcelona in the group stages.

Repeat that feat, and Lennon will go down in Celtic folklore for leading the Scottish side to two historic modern-day wins.

Celtic also need a win to stay afloat in a difficult group, after suffering a 2-0 defeat at AC Milan on Matchday One. Barcelona, though, will be buzzing after their 4-0 thrashing of Ajax, albeit courtesy a hat-trick from Messi.

"We'll try to limit Barcelona to as few chances as we possibly can and capitalise on the chances we get like we did last year," Lennon said. "For me, Barcelona are a class above Milan -- no disrespect to Milan -- in the way they pass the ball, in the way they create chances, in the pace they have."

Barcelona manager Gerardo Martino played down the need to extract revenge on Celtic, and wants his side to focus on the danger that the Scottish side pose from set-pieces.

"If we keep the ball and focus, we won't concede set pieces where they are very dangerous; they are good in the air and have a great physical presence because they are taller than our players," Martino said.

"I don't particularly believe in revenge in football. Barca players are always expected to do well, they are scrutinised by everybody."

Team News: James Forrest is in line for a return for Celtic, along with Beram Kayal. But Joe Ledley misses out yet again with a groin injury, while Derek Boerigger is a doubt.

Messi, of course, is ruled out for Barcelona, but the biggest crisis for Martino is in defence, with Jordi Alba, Javier Mascherano and Carles Puyol all sidelined. Ibrahim Afellay and Isaac Cuenca are long-term injury victims.

Key Men:  

Celtic: Giorgos Samaras smashed a hat-trick against Kilmarnock at the weekend and the Greek international will look to impose himself against Barca.

Barcelona: Neymar was rested for the La Liga game against Almeria at the weekend and the Brazilian will be buzzing to make an impact. The quicker he settles into the game, the better for Barcelona.

Expected lineups:  

Celtic: Forster; Matthews, Van Dijk, Ambrose, Izaguirre; Commons, Brown, Mulgrew, Samaras; Stokes, Pukki.

Barcelona: Valdes; Alves, Pique, Bartra, Adriano; Xavi, Busquets, Fabregas; Iniesta, Sanchez, Neymar.

Prediction: 2-2