Arsenal. (Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images)
The final semi-finalist for the 2025-26 EFL Cup will be chosen at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday when Arsenal faces Crystal Palace.
The winner will meet Chelsea in the semi-finals. Arsenal advanced by beating Port Vale and Brighton & Hove Albion. Crystal Palace overcame Millwall and the record-holding Liverpool to reach this stage.
Arsenal is momentarily stepping away from their Premier League campaign to focus on this match after a 1-0 win against Everton, ensuring they stay at the top through Christmas. In contrast, Crystal Palace comes into this match winless in their last three games, having lost 4-1 to Leeds United on Saturday and conceded nine goals in their last three matches.
Mikel Arteta has several players unavailable for this match. Max Dowman, Gabriel Magalhaes, Kai Havertz, Cristhian Mosquera, and Ben White are out. Despite approaching the end of the tournament, some changes are still likely. Gabriel Jesus, who was key in last year’s quarter-finals, may start for the first time since January. Eberechi Eze, Noni Madueke, Gabriel Martinelli, and Myles Lewis-Skelly are also options from the bench.
Palace is missing Ismaila Sarr due to his Africa Cup of Nations duties. Key players, right-back Daniel Munoz and midfielder Daichi Kamada, are also out with injuries. Jean-Philippe Mateta’s ongoing knee issue means he may not start, leading Oliver Glasner to consider giving Christantus Uche a starting role. Other players like Walter Benitez, Borna Sosa, Jefferson Lerma, and Jaydee Canvot might see playing time as well.
Arsenal comes into the quarter-final with a three-game winning streak. They have won 11 out of 12 home matches this season, including a previous victory over Crystal Palace. The team aims to reach the semi-finals for the fourth time in six seasons.
Crystal Palace has struggled recently, with Arsenal previously defeating them 3-2 in last season’s EFL Cup quarter-finals. They are facing difficulties balancing domestic and European competitions. The team has lost their last two Premier League matches but did secure a 3-0 win over a weakened Liverpool side in the last round of the Cup.
Arsenal predicted XI: Kepa; Nichols, Saliba, Calafiori, Lewis-Skelly; Eze, Norgaard, Merino; Madueke, Jesus, Martinelli
Crystal Palace predicted XI: Benitez; Richards, Guehi, Canvot; Clyne, Lerma, Wharton, Sosa; Pino, Devenny; Uche
The match will be shown live in the UK on ITV1 and Sky Sports Main Event, with coverage beginning at 19:30 GMT.
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