Arsenal v Chelsea
Saturday 19th January 1730hrs
Football – England – Premier League
Pick: Both teams to score
Bookmaker: Marathon Bet
Odds: 4/7 (odds taken 18.30 GMT, Thursday 16th January)
Another week in the Premier League and another London derby, this time at the Emirates for two teams chasing Champions League football. Read on for a match preview of Arsenal against Chelsea with a selected best betting tip.
Premier League Betting at Marathon Bet
Arsenal Preview
It was a really disappointing result and performance for Arsenal last week when going down 1-0 away to West Ham. Perhaps we have increased expectations for the Gunners under Unai Emery with what had been produced in the first few months of the season when going on that extended unbeaten run, but they looked flat, toothless and back to the frustration of the last few seasons where there didn’t seem to be any direction. It was also a real blow to their hopes of challenging for the top four and puts a lot of emphasis on getting three points at home to one of their rivals for those positions. Assessing their recent form overall in the league and it’s definitely the most difficult period under Emery with three defeats and just two wins in their last half dozen games. There’s no doubting that form has to improve in order to narrow the gap between themselves and Chelsea which sits at six points heading into Saturday’s crunch encounter. The recent slump in form has not been helped with the news coming from the boardroom stating there is no significant money going to be spent in January and that Emery will have to work in the loan market. With glaring weaknesses in the squad that is certainly going to temper enthusiasm and optimism for what lies ahead in the remainder of the season.
Key-Facts – Arsenal v Chelsea
- Chelsea sit one place and six points above Arsenal in the battle for top four
- Arsenal have scored in every Premier League home game since drawing a blank in the first game of the season
- Chelsea have failed to score in only one away league game this season
Chelsea Preview
Chelsea were more industrious than impressive in last week’s home win over Newcastle but having witnessed Arsenal lose earlier in the day it was all about getting three points to increase that gap. Also, with Tottenham losing the next day it turned into a really positive weekend for the Blues who are now just a point of that rival in third. Maurizo Sarri has attempted to build on that positivity heading into what is a vital week with the second leg of their EFL Cup tie against Spurs to follow their trip to the Emirates by strengthening the squad. Sarri has been coveting strikers aplenty since arriving at Stamford Bridge in the summer and looks like he will land on Gonzalo Higuain with Alvaro Morata departing on a loan deal. Eden Hazard has been moved up top in recent weeks and whilst he has been good, he’s much more effective from deeper positions, so the new arrival should strengthen Chelsea’s attack considerably. There may be another new arrivals in what’s left of January as the club look to solidify their place in the top four and continue their quest for silverware in three cup competitions. And a win on Saturday would virtually mean they have one foot in next year’s Champions League.
Arsenal v Chelsea Betting Advice
This could be a season-defining game for Emery and Arsenal. A win would see them not only close the gap on Chelsea but it puts pressure on Tottenham as well who will be without Harry Kane for a prolonged period. A loss, however, would leave them right up against it to make the top four and with the resurgence of Manchester United it could see them drop into sixth spot by the end of the weekend. Chelsea have that six point cushion which means that whilst a win would be their aim, a draw is not a bad result in what is going to be a tough fixture.
These clubs played out what has been one of the games of the season so far when Chelsea ran out 3-2 winners at Stamford Bridge in the second game of the campaign. Both teams have evolved since then and injuries have also played their part. Arsenal are at their best when taking the game to their opponents and will have to start strongly if they are to get the win on Saturday which should set the game up perfectly for goalscoring opportunities and goals. Since losing to Manchester City on the opening day, Arsenal have scored in all of their league games at home, however they have kept only three clean sheets and Chelsea have failed to score in only one away game all season so both teams to find the net is very appealing.
