All you need to know ahead of Crystal Palace vs Arsenal

Arsenal will have to overcome a resurgent Crystal Palace on Thursday night if they are to stay in touch with their top four rivals.

The Gunners know only a win will do after resounding Boxing Day wins for Liverpool and Tottenham left them four points behind the final Champions League spot.

They are in for a tough night at Selhurst Park though, with Palace unbeaten in eight Premier League games and they have not tasted defeat at home since a narrow loss to Southampton in Roy Hodgson's first game in charge of the Eagles.

Their recovery from losing their opening seven matches has seen them climb out of the relegation zone, while Arsenal have only won twice away from home in the league all season and have struggled for goals on their travels.

Here is everything you need to know ahead of the game...

When is the game?

The match takes place on Thursday night, with kick-off at Selhurst Park at 8pm.

Where can I watch it?

Sky Sports are broadcasting the match live on their Main Event and Premier League channels, and you can also stream the action on the Sky Go app and website.

Alternatively you can follow updates on the Mirror Football live blog.

Team news

Crystal Palace

Christian Benteke is expected to lead the line after missing the draw with Swansea over the weekend due to suspension, with Wilfried Zaha set to continue in the free role behind the Belgian that he has thrived in this season.

Full-back Joel Ward looks likely to miss out again with a groin injury, with former Liverpool man Martin Kelly in line to keep his place.

Besides that Roy Hodgson has no other injury concerns or suspensions.

Arsenal

Nacho Monreal is a doubt for the Gunners after limping off with an ankle injury in the thrilling 3-3 draw against Liverpool, with his replacement Shkodran Mustafi expected to step in having recovered from injury himself.

Forward Olivier Giroud and midfielder Aaron Ramsey are both sidelined with hamstring problems, meaning Jack Wilshere will make a fourth successive start as he looks to earn a new contract to stay at the Emirates beyond next summer.

Sead Kolasinac could come in for Ainsley Maitland-Niles after the youngster struggled to cope with Liverpool's 'Fab Four' last Friday playing out of position at left-back.

Predicted lineups

Crystal Palace (4-3-2-1): Speroni; Kelly, Tomkins, Dann, Schlupp; Cabaye, Milivojevic, McArthur; Townsend, Zaha; Benteke.

Arsenal (4-2-3-1): Cech; Bellerin, Koscielny, Mustafi, Kolasinac; Xhaka, Wilshere; Iwobi, Ozil, Sanchez; Lacazette.

Betting odds

Crystal Palace: 18/5

Arsenal: 3/4

Draw: 16/5