Ace Football previews the Premier League match between Arsenal and Chelsea, and offers betting tips, odds, line-ups, and team news.
Boxing Day will see the 202nd derby between London rivals Arsenal and Chelsea take place at the Emirates Stadium.
The stakes are high as both sides arrive on contrasting runs of form. Arsenal, for one, sit 15th in the league standings and winless in the Premier League since the beginning of November, while Chelsea are 10 spots above in fifth-place.
The Blues won bragging rights last season by taking four points out of a possible six against Arsenal in the league (W1 D1). That said, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s double in August won the FA Cup for Mikel Arteta’s men.
But the hosts’ poor run of form, especially compared to Chelsea’s, suggests a badly needed 79th victory over their London rivals may prove hard to pull off.
Arsenal Form & Stats
Things at Arsenal couldn’t be more different from their FA Cup final triumph over Chelsea in August. Hopes of a new promising era were high after lifting a record 14th cup, but have since plummeted following a terrible start to the 2020/21 campaign.
It’s left Arteta under intense pressure and scrutiny as he seeks to overturn the club’s fortunes. The Gunners boss retains the board’s support. But, with only two points collected from the last seven league games (D2 L5), he needs to string together a positive run of results soon in what is becoming a make-or-break situation.
Arsenal’s woeful home record this season, however, only fuels doubts. Aside from a 4-1 Carabao Cup defeat to Manchester City on Tuesday, they’ve lost four of their last five league games at the Emirates (D1).
The 13-time English champions also boast the fourth-worst record in terms of league goals this season. Just 12 goals, including four in their last 10 games, have been scored. Only West Brom (10), Burnley (8), and Sheffield United (8) have fared worse.
Key Team Stats
- Lost 3 of their last 4 games in all competitions (D1).
- Lost 4 of their last 5 home league games (D1).
- Scored just 4 goals in their last 10 league games.
- Won just 1 of their last 7 league games against Chelsea (D3 L3).
Chelsea Form & Stats
The Blues ended a two-match losing streak on Monday by overseeing a comfortable 3-0 win over West Ham. Thiago Silva’s header and a Tammy Abraham brace sealed all three points at Stamford Bridge.
Although Frank Lampard has already ruled out Hakim Ziyech for the trip to Arsenal. The head coach also disclosed in a pre-match conference on Wednesday that injured full-backs Reece James and Ben Chilwell remain doubtful, suggesting Cesar Azpilicueta and Emerson Palmieri will start in their places.
Visiting the Emirates, though, should prove an interesting challenge. Chelsea have won just three of their seven away league games this season (D2 L2) but have lost just twice in their last nine trips to Arsenal in the Premier League (W3 D4).
And while summer signing Timo Werner has failed to score in his last nine games in all competitions, former Arsenal star Olivier Giroud and Tammy Abraham have been in fine form.
Key Team Stats
- Won just 3 of their seven away league games this season.
- Lost just twice in their last 9 away league games against Arsenal (W3 D4).
- Won by over 2 goals in 5 of their last 8 league games.
- Timo Werner has failed to score in his last 9 games in all competitions.
Team News
Arsenal: Thomas Partey (out), Gabriel Martinelli (doubt), Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (doubt).
Chelsea: Hakim Ziyech (out), Callum Hudson-Odoi (doubt), Reece James (doubt), Ben Chilwell (doubt).
Predicted Line-up
(Note: The image will change to the official XI once they’re both announced)
Top Goalscorers in Premier League
Head-To-Head Record
Below are some head-to-head stats on each team’s recent form in the Premier League.
Match Facts
Betting Tips
More Odds
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