Premier League betting – Arsenal vs Chelsea

Arsenal vs Chelsea betting preview

Arsenal: League Position: 2nd, League Form: WLWWL

After a tepid performance against Manchester United, and a little winter break, Arsenal now face Chelsea. This fixture has ended with the Blues winning by three goals in the past two seasons. Arsenal appear to roll over meekly in the big games. Recipe for disaster at The Emirates? Well, if there’s a time to face Chelsea then form suggests it’s now.

The usual problem is their defence against Drogba. Squillaci and Koscielny are not receiving rave reviews in North London or further afield, but they may be lucky to find Drogba still a couple of steps off of his best form.

The return of Fabregas and form of Nasri mean their midfield will have a force of creativity unlike any other team in the league.

There’s a sense that this is the time for Arsenal to prove they can win the title, and back-to-back defeats to the two big teams in the Premiership would certainly put a dent in that ambition.

Chelsea: League Position: 4th, League Form: LLDDD

Backing Chelsea has been a dangerous habit of late. The champions haven’t won a league match since the 10th November, and it can be argued they were the beneficiaries of the cancelled game against Manchester United last week. That game now lands in March, and most would expect Ancelotti’s side to have recovered their form and fitness by then.

But, with questions to answer, would you really want to bet against Drogba pulverising Arsenal’s defence again? Of all the players in the squad the Ivorian is the one who has failed his side most lately, with poor performances (albeit down to struggling with malaria) and then a penalty miss in stoppage time that could have turned one point into three at White Hart Lane in their last game.

The positives are hard to ignore, and with an extra rest period with last week’s postponement Chelsea are looking stronger. A fitter Essien, Drogba and returning Frank Lampard. They’ll be confident that this is the place to kick-start their campaign.

Match Prediction: CHELSEA WIN – Best odds 2.88 at Victor Chandler

The outcome of the big matches is always hard to pick, and though the draw is tempting, and possibly acceptable for both these sides, the stats suggest this is the day Chelsea will turn things round.

Chelsea have lost only two of their last 18 matches against Arsenal in all competitions, and have won the last five meetings. The Blues have scored 11 goals in their last four league games against the Gunners, conceding only once. It is 290 minutes (four hours and 50 minutes) since Nicklas Bendtner scored Arsenal’s last goal in the league against Chelsea.

Drogba has scored 13 goals in his 11 league and cup appearances against Arsenal. 8 of these were in the league, and that’s more than he’s scored against any other side.

If Frank Lampard had stepped up late against Tottenham in the last Chelsea game you’d imagine the revival would have began already. It’ll start Monday.

Highlighted Bets:-

Over/Under: Over 2.5 Goals – 1.95 Bet 365,
First Goalscorer: Didier Drogba – 7.00 Paddy Power
Correct Score: Chelsea Win 3-1 – 34.00 Blue Sq

Match Odds:-

ARSENAL – 2.63 Bet 365
Draw – 3.3 Bet Fred
CHELSEA – 2.88 Victor Chandler

By Chris Wilkerson

Click here to view all free bets from online bookmakers