Arsenal vs Chelsea
They are London’s most successful Premier League clubs.
Both fancy themselves as the biggest, too: Arsenal have won 13 league titles and 13 FA Cups, while Chelsea are the only British club to have bagged all three European trophies. It’s swings and roundabouts. As such, they don’t get on very well.
Don’t just take my word for it – read this article from Scott Murray.
What it all means is there is a rarely a dull duel when they clash, as they will at the Emirates Stadium this weekend.
Talking Points
Ironically, the player from either side who has been most talked about this week is unlikely to even feature.
Petr Cech this week announced he’s to retire in the summer after a career in which he has won every major honour with Chelsea and Arsenal.
An exemplary professional, he will take his place on the Gunners bench in this top-flight clash after failing to regain his place since sustaining an injury in September.
With or without Cech, Arsenal certainly need to bounce back after going down 1-0 to West Ham last weekend and facing the prospect of slipping to sixth place in the table before this match kicks off.
Boss Unai Emery should have a near full-strength squad to choose from.
Hector Bellerin was only deemed fit enough for the final 21 minutes of last weekend’s defeat at West Ham after recovering from a calf problem but is likely to return to the starting line-up.
Whether German midfielder Mesut Ozil does – he has no fitness concerns but has been left out of late – remains to be seen.
The Gunners have suffered a serious drop in form since a 23-game unbeaten run ended with a 3-2 defeat to Southampton last month. Indeed, they have collected just seven points from a possible 15 which may lead to a recall for the mercurial Ozil.
The big news for Chelsea and potentially one of the big Premier League 2019 news stories is whether or not they can complete the signing of Gonzalo Higuain in time so he can make his debut.
It’s reported a deal has been agreed with Juventus to sign the Argentina international on loan for the rest of the season, which will pave the way for Alvaro Morata to leave for Atletico Madrid.
If it does happen, however, I only expect Higuain to be on the bench.
With Higuain possibly starting a career in England and Cech about to finish his (this could well be the final meeting he’ll be involved in between the two clubs he has graced over the past 14 years), this clash could be about both hellos and goodbyes.
History
When these sides met in the second week of the season, it was a thriller.
Chelsea edged the contest 3-2, thanks to a late winner from Marcos Alonso.
It was a match which fully displayed both sides’ strengths and weaknesses and was yet another chapter in the long-established rivalry.
Arsenal went on a long unbeaten run which only just recently ended after that defeat, and they will be looking to continue their recent good home record against the west Londoners.
That August success for Chelsea was their only triumph in the last seven meetings.
At the Emirates last season, a late Bellerin goal rescued a point for the Gunners, who then beat Chelsea 2-1 at the same venue three weeks later to reach the League Cup Final.
Add in a goalless draw in last season’s league encounter at Stamford Bridge and Arsenal victories over Chelsea in the 2017 FA Cup Final and Community Shield, it’s easy to see who has had the edge in recent years.
Arsenal have won 76 of their meetings over the years, with 63 Chelsea victories and 57 draws.
Betting Tip
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Arsenal vs Chelsea | Total Goal 4-6 @ 2.87 |
| January 20, 01:30 (GMT+8) |
SBOBET odds reflect the league table really so it’s no surprise Chelsea start as slight favourites.
The Asian Handicap SBOBET betting odds offer an attractive deal for Chelsea –0.50 @ 2.38, while Arsenal are priced 0.00 @ 2.25.
1X2 odds also lean towards the visitors with Chelsea @ 2.38, Arsenal @ 2.89 and the draw at an appealing @ 3.30.
The best Double Chance deal is Arsenal or draw @ 1.53 which shows you just how close this game is expected to be.
As for a repeat of the match earlier in the season and a 3-2 home victory, that would pay out @ 225.00.
What’s the betting on it being a goalless draw now!
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR ( ) BETS ARE WORTH: |
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 = €20 (Highly confident) |
= €10 (CONFIDENT) |
= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT) |
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Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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