Arsenal vs Chelsea Betting Preview

Kick off: Saturday, September 24, 5:30 PM GMT

Venue: Emirates Stadium (London)

Head to head record

Arsenal vs Chelsea 0-1 (2015/2016 Premier League)
Chelsea vs Arsenal 2-0 (2015/2016 Premier League)
Arsenal vs Chelsea 1-0 (2015 Community Shield)
Arsenal vs Chelsea 0-0 (2014/2015 Premier League)
Chelsea vs Arsenal 2-0 (2014/2015 Premier League)

Arsenal vs Chelsea prediction

Arsenal and Chelsea, the two bitter rivals, face each other in the London derby on day 6 of the new Premier League campaign. The Blues are eager to bounce back from a 2-1 loss to Liverpool, but they will have to prove their worth on the field.

The Alexis Sanchez effect

Arsenal did not kick off the new Premier League campaign in style, with the team suffering a 4-3 loss to Liverpool at their Emirates Stadium. However, it is well known that Arsene Wenger had selection worries back then and it is more than obvious that the Gunners have been producing much better performances at the back ever since summer signing Mustafi joined the club. Arsenal have been impressive in front of goal of late as well and Chilean attacker Alexis Sanchez looks unstoppable at the moment. Thanks to a 4-1 win over ten-man Hull City Arsenal extended their winning run to three games in the Premier League and they are high on confidence ahead of Saturday’s London derby. Arsenal aim to stay in the race for the title and I am positive that the hosts will go all guns blazing at Chelsea in the local derby.

Per Mertesacker, Aaron Ramsey and Danny Welbeck remain in the recovery room, while Olivier Giroud is a major doubt and he will be assessed on the match day. Summer signing Xhaka is pushing for a start. Lucas Perez scored a brace in the League Cup win over Forest, but he is likely to start from the bench.

Dip in form

Despite producing a fine display against Swansea City at Liberty Stadium, Chelsea picked up no more than one point from the match. Even though many people expected that the Blues would return to winning ways on Matchday 5, the capital club suffered a 2-1 loss to Liverpool in front of home fans. Antonio Conte’s men failed to impress against Reds and they will have to improve their game if they are to melt Manchester City’s advantage in the Premier League standings. Chelsea did well to beat Leicester City at King Power Stadium in Wednesday’s League Cup clash and they now aim to return to winning ways in the national championship, but beating Arsenal at Emirates Stadium is easier said than done. Diego Costa was rested in the 4-2 win over Leicester, but he is likely to lead the line for the Blues against Arsene Wenger’s troops.

Cesc Fabregas impressed against Leicester City and the Spanish midfielder is widely expected to return to the starting XI. Kurt Zouma and John Terry are definitely out of contention with injury. Eden Hazard is set to return to the starting line-up.

Interesting facts

• Arsenal scored 1+ goals in each of their last nine home games in the PL
• Chelsea failed to keep a clean sheet in previous six away games in the league
• Under 2.5 goals were scored in previous five meetings between the two teams
• In their last meeting at the Emirates Diego Costa scored the winner for Chelsea
• Arsenal scored exactly four goals in previous two games in all competitions

Arsenal vs Chelsea betting pick

Arsenal have been producing scintillating showings of late and it is no surprise they are regarded as favourites to win Saturday’s London derby. The Gunners are desperate to regain the Premier League trophy and, no doubt, the clash against their local rivals is of big importance for Arsene Wenger’s men. Chelsea experienced all sorts of problems at the back in the 2-1 loss to Liverpool and, taking everything into account, home win should be considered this time out.

Pick: Arsenal to win

Odds: 7/5