Arsenal vs Chelsea Preview

December 22, 2013
By: Deke Hardman

Arsene Wenger

In the final Premier League game before Christmas, Arsenal host Chelsea with both sides keen to boost their title challenge with three much need points.

The Gunners go in to the game having been knocked off the top by Liverpool, who continued their fine form with a 3-1 victory over Cardiff City on Saturday afternoon.

Arsene Wenger’s side are hoping to avoid a third straight defeat having followed their 2-0 Champions League defeat to Napoli with further disappointment at the Etihad Stadium last time out.

Jack Wilshere will miss the game as he begins a two-match suspension, while Laurent Koscielny is side-lined with a cut to his knee though Lukas Podolski could return having missed four months with a hamstring injury.

Olivier Giroud is priced at 8.0 (7/1) with Coral to get the first goal of the game, while Theo Walcott is a 9.0 (8/1) shot with Ladbrokes.

The home win is widely available at 2.4 (7/5), with Chelsea a 3.25 (9/4) shot with Bet 365. The draw is available at 3.4 (12/5) with a most firms.

Jose Mourinho’s men lost in extra time to Sunderland in the quarter finals of the Capital One Cup last time out, and will be hoping to respond with a victory that would see them leapfrog their opponents and move level on points with leaders Liverpool, who they face at the weekend.

Branislav Ivanovic returns after a one-match ban, so Cesar Azpilicueta is likely to switch to left back with Ashley Cole set to drop to the bench, while Michael Essien is suspended after collecting his fifth yellow card of the season at the Stadium of Light last week.

Samuel Eto’o is 8.0 (7/1) with a number of firms to open the scoring, while Eden Hazard is worth considering at 11.0 (10/1).

Chelsea emerged victorious when the sides met in the Capital One Cup in October, and won both of the league meetings between the sides last season by two goals to one.

A 2-1 Blues win this time around is priced at 13.0 (12/1) with Bet 365, who along with most other firms, offer 1.62 (8/13) for both teams to score.

We Highly Recommend These Places
Share your Opinion!