Arsenal vs Chelsea Prediction: Back the Gunners to fire past Chelsea

Arsenal cleared the hurdle of the North London derby last Sunday; their next test could be more difficult after making rather light work of Tottenham. Now, the Gunners are back on home soil and they welcome further crosstown rivals to their pocket of the capital. Chelsea looking to return to winning ways, foiling the current league leaders would be an added bonus.

As for the Blues, they would have been feeling that colour at the end of their last two league outings. Ahead against both Leeds and Burnley at Stamford Bridge, defensive generosity costing them a total of four points. Liverpool hunting them down in the race for fifth. Liam Rosenior’s men need to be at the best again sooner rather than later. Read on for my Arsenal vs Chelsea predictions.

Team News

Two Arsenal players at the double last weekend, only one expected to start against Chelsea on Sunday. Eberechi Eze’s purple patch against Tottenham continuing with a brace seven days ago, not enough to tempt Mikel Arteta when it comes to a place in the starting eleven. Instead, Norwegian midfielder Martin Odegaard is expected to return to first team duties.

Apart from that nice problem to have, Arsenal will have no further issues when it comes to team selection. Viktor Gyokeres’ own brace against Spurs impactful enough to continue his attacking presence from the off. Defender Piero Hincapie also expected to play at left back ahead of Ricardo Calafiori.

As for Chelsea, they have to make do without Wesley Fofana in central defence. The former Leicester player given his marching orders in the 1-1 draw with Burnley last weekend. Therefore, Trevoh Chalobah is expected to be partnered by Mamadou Sarr – the Blues’ options starting to run thin in this position.

However, Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior has plenty of options going further forward but with an abundance of midfield or attacking players who could edge their way into the starting eleven at the Emirates, the former Strasbourg boss is expected to make no further chances bar the enforced dropping of Fofana.

Football Odds

Arsenal vs Chelsea Odds

Arsenal are priced as favourites at 4/7 to win this game, with Chelsea the underdogs at 9/2. That gives the home team an implied win probability of 63.6% while a draw can be backed at 16/5.

BTTS has been priced at 4/5 and over 2.5 goals is 8/11, while Viktor Gyokeres is the favourite to score first at 4/1.

Arsenal Win & Over 2.5 Goals @ 5/4

Every time we doubt Arsenal’s title mettle, they seem to pass the next test with flying colours. What happens if they go to in form Leeds? Will they slip up against local rivals Spurs? A collective element of wishful thinking but the only thing that Arsenal collects when their demise is predicted is another three points.

Something which I envisage will be the case on Sunday as they get the better of Chelsea. Last Sunday’s North London derby win did show that clean sheets are having to be sacrificed in order to come out on top. The same blueprint against the Blues will do them nicely, I think 5/4 for this outcome is a rather nice price.

Jurrien Timber To Receive A Card @ 5/2

Arsenal’s Jurrien Timber has been a familiar face in front of referees in recent weeks. The Dutch defender has collected five yellow cards in the Premier League this season, three of those have come within the last six gameweeks. Cautions against Nottingham Forest, Leeds and Tottenham have placed him on my radar.

Especially as Chelsea will look to cause problems from out wide and if that does prove to be the case, do not be surprised if Timber chops down whoever finds themselves on the left wing. A booking more likely than a red on Sunday but either outcome will do in order to win this bet. Nothing rash in backing a few rash tackles in this London derby.

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