Chelsea v Arsenal Betting Preview

Chelsea: League Position 3rd,
League Form: LWWWL

Andre Villas-Boas’ team were once quietly drifting behind Manchester City and United in the title race, going about their business without the press that followed the two big rivals. Then, on Sunday, not to be overshadowed, they set about advertising the excitement London can offer. Two red cards and one goal conceded did not stop them being the better side at Loftus Road as the nine men of Chelsea outplayed the 11 of QPR.

In result of that game both Didier Drogba and Jose Bosingwa will be suspended. In the defence they now look a little bare, with the erratic David Luiz a liability in that game, and John Terry picking up some more unwanted media attention over alleged racist insults. Ivanovic will most likely play right back, and Cole left back, but who pairs up in the middle is less than certain.

However, with one striker banned, another returns from suspension as Fernando Torres finishes his three match ban. Four goals in all competitions puts him at double the goals of Drogba and Anelka combined, and the Spaniard should find his way back into the team. Drogba usually terrifies Arsenal, but the new Chelsea are lead Torres, and the new Chelsea need to win home games against Arsenal.

Chelsea v Arsenal match odds

Arsenal

Are Arsenal on the road to recovery? If they are, then it’s down to one man. Not manager Arsene Wenger, but Dutch forward Robin Van Persie. He does not stop scoring. Seven league goals this season (nine in all competitions) only tells so much of the story. A tight game against Stoke last weekend was meandering towards a draw until the rested Holland international came off the bench, scored two goals and the Gunners won 3-1.

Yet since the embarrassing 8-2 defeat to Manchester United in August they have faced only one opponent they can use as a barometer of performance. And they lost. The North London derby earlier this month showed Tottenham to be ahead of their rivals, and now Arsenal have come into form they run into Chelsea. Arsenal have won none of their last eight away games, and Stamford Bridge is not usually the place you would look for away form.

Match Prediction: DRAW

Chelsea come into this game having taken 31 points from the last 33 available at Stamford Bridge, but, unlike Chelsea teams of recent years they are looking loose in defence. One clean sheet in their last eight home games is not the form Chelsea dynasties are built on, and not the side that have stifled, even bullied, Arsenal in the past.

Considering the disarray at Arsenal this season, it is interesting to note that victory here for the Gunners leaves them only three points behind Chelsea. Of course, that is easier written down than actually going to Stamford Bridge and taking three points.

Thomas Vermaelen’s possible return certainly improves their chances, as does the absence of Didier Drogba. The suspended Ivorian has scored 13 goals in 14 appearances against Arsenal in all competitions. The Gunners’ record against Chelsea with him playing is W1 D3 L10, yet without him in the Chelsea side is it W2 D1 L0. Can Torres step up?

Suddenly, it is both sides who look leaky in defence, have attacking talent and will look to pass it around in midfield. The form of both is very similar, Chelsea are now leaving gaps (last season only 47% of their games were over 2.5 goals, this season 78%) and do not have the physicality that once scared Arsenal, and the men from North London have Robin Van Persie. This game is suddenly level.

Highlighted bets:

Over/Under: Over 2.5 Goals – 1.72 188 Bet
First Goalscorer: Robin Van Persie – 8.5 Victor Chandler
Correct Score: 2-2 – 17.00 Boyle Sports,

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Article by Chris Wilkerson

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