Arsenal v Chelsea Betting Tip & Odds: Should be a cracking match, with lots of permutations going on with it. There is a sense of balance between the two sides, with them both needing to be better than they have been of late. Chelsea’s form has deserted them more than what Arsenal’s have though, and it may prove crucial here. There is a lot of sense in backing a drawn match here, both would probably be happy at avoiding defeat. But, with Arsenal have a little more to offer up front, and being at home, they are worth backing in some form. Therefore it is to the Asian Handicap markets we go for our tip, and an Arsenal -1 Asian Handicap for 31/10 at Bet365 is pretty good value for a top three side being at home. If chances fall their way, you would expect the Arsenal strikers to finish better than the Chelsea ones at the moment. Therein could lie all the difference, albeit it a slight one. Arsenal do have a 49% win percentage against Chelsea at home.
Arsenal to win: 13/8 at Bet365
Draw: 23/10 at Skybet
Chelsea to win: 7/4 at Extrabet
EPL Match Preview: This a great fierce rivalry to stoke up the fires for Monday, as Chelsea head to Arsenal. This is a match which now is a crucial must win for both sides. Arsenal are two points back of leaders Manchester United at the top of the league, but have played a game more. A loss now would put them further back, but the likes of Manchester United’s Patrice Evra and Nani may have just riled Arsenal up enough to see them put in a good performance against Chelsea. The Manchester United players have been saying that Arsenal won’t be winning the league this year, because basically they are not been good enough. Arsenal though have not enjoyed much of a good time against Chelsea though, including this year when they lost 2-0 on their visit to Stamford Bridge. It seems with Arsenal you are going to either get a win or a loss, as they have only drawn two matches this season. They have visibly missed the influence of captain Cesc Fabregas at times through the midfield, and they froze in the headlights when they went to Old Trafford recently, and they cannot afford to do the same at the Emirates against Chelsea. The big boost for Arsenal, is that both Cesc Fabregas and Robin van Persie are ready to start. It will be the first time since August that Arsene Wenger has had that luxury. However, they really don’t like playing Chelsea, especially Didier Drogba who just enjoys scoring against them. The defensive frailties and toughness of mentality are still the biggest problems with Arsenal, but of course the natural talent is there. They are the team with all of the flair, the ones who play the most attractive style of football. It may just be enough this time to get them past a below par Chelsea.
Arsenal do have a strong home record against Chelsea overall throughout history, but they have lost their last two matches there, in a run of four straight losses against Chelsea. They are still missing Thomas Vermaelen from the back, and it could be a factor with the menace of Didier Drogba threatening the Arsenal back line. While Arsenal are a prolific team, they have really struggled to break down Chelsea. Chelsea just seem to know how to play Arsenal perfectly, and the Gunners have managed just one goal in four matches now against the Blues. What is also a bit of a worrying trend for Arsenal fans, is the fact they are losing matches at home this season, something which has been pretty much unheard of. Three defeats out of eight home matches this season really isn’t the form of Champions to be honest. It is not the stronghold that it is meant to be. So can Arsenal raise their game to pick up an extremely vital three points? Well if ever there was a time to do it, now would be it. Winning would give them a huge advantage over London rivals Chelsea as well so there is a lot at stake. What could tip the balance in this match, is the firepower between the two sides. Arsenal rarely struggle to hit the back of the net, something which Chelsea have as of late. With Marouane Chamakh and Samir Nasri especially threatening, they have the creativity to undo Chelsea. In a current form of goal scoring, Arsenal would win this one. They won’t be as stifled as they were against Manchester United in their last outing.
Both sides have had a long time to rest, something which has helped both sides really. Back into the starting line up comes Frank Lampard, whose goals for Chelsea have been sorely missed this season. Chelsea put in a much more spirited and all round better performance against Tottenham in their last match, after boss Carlo Ancelotti had dropped Didier Drogba from the starting line up. The talisman came on to score though to help Chelsea secure an away draw, and he really should be in the line up against Arsenal. Drogba has an incredible 13 goals in 13 matches against Arsenal in all competitions. There really are not that many problems for Chelsea, certainly not as many as they have had through the season. They are now only missing Yossi Benayoun, Yuri Zhirkov and centre half Alex. Captain John Terry has voiced his concerns over the lack of depth now at the club, but Ancelotti has insisted that there is nothing wrong, there is a good crop of young players, ready to fill in important roles. The results of late though have told a completely different story though, as they have picked up just three points out of the last fifteen which have been available. That’s no win in five league matches. While the midfield has been lacking the same composure without Lampard and Michael Essien at times, the strikers seem to have, well, gone on strike. Didier Drogba has been in miserable form compared to his high standards, and Nicolas Anelka has completely forgotten where the goal is, not having score in over ten hours of play.
Chelsea are on a run of three drawn matches, and they are three points behind leaders Manchester United now, plus at a one game disadvantage, after leading the way for so long after an incredibly strong start to the season. They have to discover form immediately if they are going to keep in the race. A loss would put them a big four points back of Arsenal. They cannot afford that, but there is a lot of promise for Chelsea here, as Arsenal’s form against both them and Manchester United have been terrible really. Arsenal haven’t beaten either of their rivals in the league in their last eleven matches now, and the Gunners have only won just once out of the last seven home meetings against Chelsea now. But maybe the tables are about to turn, with Chelsea still searching for top gear. This is a big opportunity for Arsenal and will probably be worth backing. Will Frank Lampard have a big say though on his return to the Chelsea starting eleven? He will be worth having a punt on as Anytime goalscorer, especially at a price of 5/2 at Bet365. This match could swing either way, Chelsea have the better defence, Arsenal have the better attack in form at the moment. For your football betting, home advantage really should play a part, but Arsenal have shown big frailties at the Emirates. Chelsea haven’t traveled well. Is this a match of parity and a draw? Bookies seem to think so.
Online Bookmaker Promotion: Paddy Power are offering a money back special on Monday’s big Arsenal v Chelsea Premier League match. If you have a losing First/Last Goalscorer, Correct Score or Scorecast single on the match, because the game ends 0-0, then you get your stake refunded as a free bet. There are plenty of goal scoring talent on show, with Drogba, van Persie, Chamakh, Anelka, Nasri, Fabregas and Lampard in the mix, but if they all have an off day, then you will be covered. Paddy Power also offer a free £25 matched bet for new account holders.
Arsenal v Chelsea Premier League Betting Statistics
Last 5 Head to Head
Chelsea 2, Arsenal 0
Chelsea 2, Arsenal 0
Arsenal 0, Chelsea 3
Arsenal 1, Chelsea 4
Chelsea 1, Arsenal 2
Arsenal have an 62% win percentage at home in the league this season
Chelsea have a 33% win percentage away from home in the league this season
Arsenal are on a streak of eight home matches with no draw
Chelsea are on a streak of four away matches with no win
Arsenal have scored 19 goals, and conceded 10 at home
Chelsea have scored 13 and conceded 8 goals in their away matches
Arsenal average 2.37 goals per match at home this season
Chelsea average 1.44 goals per match away from home this season
Arsenal have scored the bulk of their goals in the 76-90 minute bracket
Chelsea have scored the majority of their goals in the 76-90 minute bracket
Arsenal have opened the scoring in 64% of their matches
Chelsea have scored first in 52% of their matches
Arsenal 2010/11 top scorer: Nasri, 8
Chelsea 2010/11 top scorer: Drogba, 8
Arsenal 2010/11 Season Form: P17 W10 D2 L5 GF36 GA16 Pts 34 (2nd)
Chelsea 2010/11 Season Form: P17 W9 D4 L4 GF31 GA12 Pts 31 (17th)
