Prediction: Chelsea vs Arsenal

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 8/11

Bookmaker: Unibet

In what is a heavyweight Premier League showdown on Sunday afternoon, Chelsea will welcome a high-flying Arsenal to Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea

Starting with the hosts, managing to make a much-welcomed return to winning ways earlier in the week while on European duties, Graham Potter’s side will be desperate to make a statement on Sunday afternoon. However, while the Blues might have cruised their way to the knockout stage of this year’s Champions League, they are coming off the back of a dreadful domestic display. Although the former Brighton boss might have enjoyed an extended unbeaten start to life in west London, the former European champions came crashing back down to earth on the south coast. With Potter suffering a nightmare return to his former employers after getting hit with a 4-1 drumming, Chelsea do have the feel of a side seeking some recent stability at the back. Despite claiming a 2-1 victory against Dinamo Zagreb in midweek, Sunday’s hosts have failed to keep a clean sheet in any of their last four appearances across all formats.

Team News

In what is a huge injury blow to both Chelsea and England, Ben Chilwell almost looks certain to miss this year’s World Cup after suffering a hamstring injury against Dinamo Zagreb earlier in the week.

The ex-Leicester defender will be joined on the sidelines by the likes of Kepa Arrizabalaga, Wesley Fofana and Reece James, N’Golo Kante and Carney Chukwuemeka.

Arsenal

As for the visitors, cruising their way to the knockout stage of this year’s Europa League and claiming a 1-0 win against Zurich in midweek, Arsenal find themselves enjoying a stunning purple patch. Only continuing to gain a string of plaudits since opening the 2022/23 campaign, Mikel Areta’s side have continued to gain a string of plaudits. Last seen on Premier League duties landing a thumping 5-0 romp against Nottingham Forest on home soil, the Gunners could be smelling the chance to lay down another marker here. Opening up this weekend’s fixtures holding a two-point buffer at the top of the table, the one-time Manchester City coach has seen his side suffer just a single top-flight defeat so far this season. Likewise, claiming a 4-2 win when they made the trip to Stamford Bridge back in April, it should be highlighted that Sunday’s guests have won three of their last four Premier League contests against their London rivals.

Team News

Limping off in the final moments of Arsenal’s 1-0 victory against Zurich earlier in the week, it appears that Takehiro Tomiyasu will miss out at Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon.

Likewise, the Gunners have also confirmed that Emile Smith Rowe will not feature at Stamford Bridge. However, after coming off the bench in midweek, England international Bukayo Saka should make his full return here.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Sunday’s opponents last faced off on Premier League duties back in April, Arsenal picked up a 4-2 win at Stamford Bridge.
• Likewise, the Gunners have won three of their last four Premier League meetings against Chelsea.
• Six of their previous eight showdowns across all competitions have finished with both teams finding the net.
• Chelsea have failed to record a clean sheet in any of their last four matchups across all formats.
• Continuing on from last season, nine of Arsenal’s last 10 Premier League away fixtures have seen over 1.5 goals.

Conclusion

Two sides who picked up their own European victories earlier in the week, neutrals will be hoping for another enjoyable affair on Sunday afternoon. Watching Arsenal claim a thrilling 4-2 victory when they made the trip to Stamford Bridge back in April, the Gunners do hold an eye-catching record against their London rivals. Winning three of their last four Premier League meetings against the Blues, we could see chances come at both ends of the pitch here. Likewise, it should also be noted, with Chelsea seeing each of their last four contests across all formats finish with both teams finding the net, we’re backing a similar outcome this weekend.

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 8/11

Bookmaker: Unibet