Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has attempted to take the pressure of his squad by suggesting that the outcome of tonight’s clash against Arsenal will have little effect on the title chase.
The Blues would climb over Arsenal and move to second position with three points from the Emirates, but winning the high-profile match will be no easy task with Jose Mourinho’s side clearly struggling at the moment.
Meanwhile, Chelsea would be in all sorts of problems should they lose to the Gunners, but the Portuguese manager has downplayed the importance of the Arsenal game.
“I don’t think it makes a big difference,” Mourinho said. “If they lose, they will be one point behind the leaders.
“After the Christmas period – three matches, plus the one on January 1, four matches – after these four matches we can have a feeling. Maybe some gaps will be open, some gaps will close.
“I don’t think it will make a big difference for them. I think they will feel they are strong contenders, and I respect them as that.”
Arsenal are 2.45 (29/40) favourites with bet365 to claim maximum points, whereas away win is available at 3.20 (11/5) at Coral.
And while the Gunners will have Lukas Podolski back to the side, they will be without Laurent Koscielny and Jack Wilshere through injury and suspension respectively.
Chelsea, on the other hand, has Branislav Ivanovic returning from suspension, but Michael Essien is banned and Ryan Bertrand is injured.
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