Arsenal host Chelsea this Sunday while they look to maintain their position as the Premier League table leaders. The Gunners had a goalless draw in their last match against Stoke City away while the Blues also drew, but 3-3 to Everton at home. Arsenal are now on 44 points at the top, tied with Leicester City and a point ahead of Manchester City and will look to secure a win against Chelsea to augment their chance of winning the league.
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Meanwhile, being at the brink of relegation at a point not very far away in the league, it could be said that Chelsea are at a better position now at 14th place but there continues to be constant pressure on them and their interim manager Guus Hiddink to get the three points as he’d want to bring out a fight from his team and have a few positive results during his interim period. A result against the table leaders will be a major boost for the team - just what they need.
Kickoff and Live Telecast:
Channel: Star Sports 4 & Star Sports HD 4
Date and Time: 24 January, 21:30 IST
Venue: Emirates Stadium
Team News:
Arsenal
Key players, Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil are likely to return for this clash against Chelsea. Sanchez missed the last three matches with a groin injury and Ozil was out against last week’s match against Stoke due to a foot injury.
New signing Mohamed Elneny won’t feature, nor will Jack Wilshere, Danny Welbeck and Santi Cazorla.
Chelsea
Eden Hazard is back from the groin injury which prevented him from playing the last three matches. "The last two days he [Hazard] was in full commitment with first-team training, so he is available," "We have to be careful, because he has fallen into some injuries recently. I'm not sure whether he can play a full 90 minutes yet. We have to consider whether it's best [for him] to start or to come in." said Chelsea's interim boss Guus Hiddink.Diego Costa might also be fit to lead the attack after bruising his shin last week against Everton while Radamel Falcao will remain on the sidelines.
Probable Lineups
Arsenal: Cech, Bellerin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal, Flamini, Ramsey, Campbell, Ozil, Walcott, GiroudChelsea: Courtois, Ivanovic, Zouma, Terry, Matic, Mikel, Willian, Fabregas, Hazard, Costa
Form:
ArsenalArsenal have just won two of their last five Premier League games against Newcastle and Bournemouth while drawing twice against Stoke City and Liverpool and losing against Southampton. Arsenal, being league leaders, are clearly in their best possible form and they will look to get a win against Chelsea to strengthen their quest for the title.
Last 5 matches: D-D-W-W-L (Last match: Stoke City 0-0 Arsenal)
ChelseaThe Blues’ season has been rather blue with them sitting on 14th place in the league table. However, they will be going into the match with no loss in their last five Premier League games. Chelsea secured four draws against Everton, West Brom, Manchester United and Watford and won against Crystal Palace.Definitely the underdogs in this match, Hiddink will look to make his players give their utmost.
Last 5 matches: D-D-W-D-D (Last match: Chelsea 3-3 Everton)
Key Stats:
Arsenal have won seven and lost none of their last nine Premier League games at the Emirates, conceding just four goals in the run.
Chelsea are unbeaten in their last eight Premier League games against the Gunners (W5 D3).Three of the last four Premier League meetings between these two sides at the Emirates have ended as goalless draws.Costa has scored five goals in five Chelsea appearances in all competitions under Hiddink.Entering this weekend, Chelsea are on the longest current unbeaten run in the Premier League (W2 D4).
Key Battles:
Olivier Giroud vs Branislav IvanovicThere’s no doubt that Arsenal’s leading goal scorer, Giroud, will be looking to attack profoundly and net in as many as possible, so it will be quite a task for Ivanovic to take up for he has to try and contain the Gunners attack.
Diego Costa vs Laurent KoscielnyWith Costa having scored in all matches under Hiddink, the Brazilian will look to score again against the Gunners. With the possible return of Hazard, Costa will get the backing he might require. He definitely needs to step up to give his team any chance of winning.
Koscielny is one of the best defenders in the league currently, and he must use his experience well faced up against Costa. Knowing what Costa can do, he has to be prepared for it all. He must close the gaps quickly, otherwise, Costa could be on a roll.
Betting Odds (bet365):
Arsenal: 21/10Chelsea: 13/5Draw: 5/2
Prediction:
Arsenal look quite dangerous at the moment and definitely look to be the favourites but Chelsea having the tag of the underdogs for this match might just pull out a win and spoil the party for the Gunners.
Arsenal 2-1 Chelsea
