There are some huge matches ahead in December, which will have a huge bearing on the outcome of the Premier League. Here, in the first of our series, we take a look at some of the key fixtures to look out for, for Chelsea’s league campaign during December. There is a tough month ahead for Chelsea, against top level opposition in the Premier League, and things are not going to be easy for them. Chelsea have to face four of the top six in the Premier League as it stands heading into December. They are seriously struggling for form going into it, and the lack of depth in the squad has been highlighted with injuries to key players. Chelsea need a fit John Terry, a fit Frank Lampard and need their powerful strike force to start humming along again at a fair old rate. Will Carlo Ancelotti still be in a job come January? Will Chelsea be out of the title race come January? Here we cast an eye over the early ante-post betting prices for Chelsea’s December matches, along with predictions of how this will all play out for the London Club.
Chelsea: Premier League Outright Betting Odds
Chelsea really could not have been given a tougher month than what is in store for them during December. It is going to be brutal, and with them in the current slump that they are in, there is little time to turn things around. The Premier League really could be won or lost for Chelsea during December. Chelsea are without a win in three games now. That is unheard of at Stamford Bridge. There are rumours that manager Carlo Ancelotti will not be in charge much longer, as owner Roman Abramovich doesn’t like the way the Blues are playing. Chelsea are struggling with injuries, although John Terry and Frank Lampard are allegedly not too far away from full fitness. They will need them. Suddenly the outright betting odds on the Blues are not looking very rosy at all. They have blown a five point lead, and have fallen back into second place, and now they have one of the worst looking fixture lists that they could possibly want for end of the year. This is a time which really will make or break Chelsea. This is probably the best time to have a punt on them though, as they are better value than they have been for some time.
13/8 at Victor Chandler
Chelsea v Everton, Saturday December 4th
It all kicks off against Everton for Chelsea. It was the Toffees who ruined Chelsea’s home party in the league last year, having the audacity to go to Stamford Bridge and take a point of the Blues. This will not be an easy match, especially with an out of sorts Chelsea, however they get Michael Essien back which will make a difference. There is a chance that Frank Lampard will return, but he may be kept back for the tougher challengers are ahead. Everton aren’t great, but they are resilient and tough to break down, and Chelsea are struggling for goals at the moment. However, this is probably the most crucial match of December, as this is the one which could rally kick start everything. A failure here will be a major disaster in terms of confidence for the matches ahead. Chelsea have a great record against the Toffees though, and they should be able to get through this one, as Stamford Bridge is still something of a fortress.
Prediction: Win 2/5 at BetFred
Other: Draw 15/4 at Bet365, Everton 17/2 at Paddy Power
Tottenham v Chelsea, Sunday, December 12th
The first of two London derby matches for Chelsea then follows. While Chelsea have historically dominated proceedings between the two clubs, Spurs are better than they have been for many, many years and turned the tables on the Blues last season. White Hart Lane will not be an easy place to go to and earn a result, as Chelsea have lost their last two League matches there. There are no gimme’s in the Premier League anymore, and Tottenham, who are full of confidence, will be keen to shut this one down and cause Chelsea more misery on the road. The record between the two sides are incredibly close at White Hart Lane when they meet actually, with Spurs having won 26 of the matches, and Chelsea winning 25. Very close to call and a tough away match for Ancelotti and his Blues.
Prediction: Draw 23/10 at Bwin
Other: Chelsea 6/5 at Bwin, Tottenham 21/10 at Bwin
Chelsea v Manchester United, Sunday, December 19th
This is the big one, the showdown between the two Premier League title challengers. The defending Champions have an inordinate amount on stuff on their plate in December, and how badly will they be reeling by the time Manchester United come to town? This really has to be a must win match for Chelsea, whatever happens in the two preceding games to this one. Come the end of the season, if Chelsea are going to successfully defend their Premier League crown, then they are going to have to do it again at the expense of Alex Ferguson and his Red Devils. At the moment though, this is the match which seems most winnable for Chelsea. For the above reasons, we should see Chelsea at their best again when they face Manchester United and should be stronger in terms of personnel being fit. It is United who have the better winning percentage when the sides meet at Stamford Bridge however. United have won 43% of the matches there, with Chelsea picking up just 30%. It’s been eight matches at the Bridge though since United picked up a victory, so the Blues will win out on this one again and keep the pressure on their rivals.
Prediction: Win 15/13 at Bwin
Other: Man Utd 11/5 at Bwin, Draw 23/10 at Bwin
Arsenal v Chelsea, Sunday December 27
No sooner have you played Tottenham and then Manchester United, then you have to go off and face another tough match. Chelsea head to the Emirates after Christmas, and will look to press home another victory over the Gunners this season. Chelsea won 2-0 at Stamford Bridge, and that is exactly what they will need again as the two sides clash. Arsenal have been a little bit vulnerable at home though this season, so Chelsea really should have three points in their targets. Come this match, Chelsea should have discovered some form and some confidence. They should have stopped the defeats coming, and if they get through this match and the ones above unbeaten, then December won’t have been too bad on them. Chelsea have dominated Arsenal over the past two seasons both home and away, are on a four match league winning streak against Gunners, with Arsenal just scoring one goal in reply to Chelsea’s eleven. Put another three points in the Chelsea title race bag.
Prediction: Win
Chelsea v Bolton, Wednesday, December 29
To round out the year, Chelsea may have been looking at this fixture as a bit of a breather after having to face Spurs, United and Arsenal during the holiday season. But no such luck, as Owen Coyle has turned Bolton into a top six club at the time of writing this. The Wanderers have only lost two matches this season, which is two less than Chelsea have. This is going to be another incredibly tough task for Chelsea, and if they have come this far they will really have to not let complacency set in. It is still back at the Bridge and that will give the Chelsea players enough to get through this one. There could be a bit of a sting in the tail though from Bolton after Chelsea have endured a tough December, and could catch the Blues a little off their game.
Prediction: Draw
Start of December Premier League:
Manchester United: P15 W8 D7 L0 Pts 31 (1st)
Chelsea: P15 W9 D2 L4 Pts 29 (2nd)
Arsenal: P15 W9 D2 L4 Pts 29 (3rd)
End of December Premier League Predictions (Click links to see December Predictions)
Manchester United: P20 W12 D7 L1 Pts 43 (1st)
Chelsea: P20 W12 D4 L4 Pts 40 (2nd)
Arsenal: P20 W12 D2 L6 Pts 38 (3rd)
