The Champions, Chelsea lock horns with their London rivals Arsenal. The visiors go into today’s epic Super Sunday clash having lost 9 of their last 14 away games, including the last two against Stoke City and Liverpool.
In fact, the last time Arsenal won away at a big Club was in 2015, when they beat Man City 2-0 at the Etihad.
Arsene Wenger’s men go into the game today hoping to stop that poor run of results, but they visit Stamford Bridge, where they have not won for some time now.
The North Londoners have beaten their city rivals in two of their last four recent meetings, but are yet to do so in six years at the Bridge.
Also, they haven’t kept a clean sheet in their last 12 games at SB, and have lost in their last five visits there.
So, it’s not if Chelsea will score, because in their last 23 homes games in the PL, they have scored at least once, but if the Gunners can outscore them at the Bridge since they last did so six years ago, in that 3-5 win.
Form:
They both won in midweek, to kickoff their respective European adventures on a winning note.
While Chelsea thrashed Qarabag 6-0, the Gunners survived a scare from Koln to register a come from behind 3-1 win at the Emirates amidst crowd troubles.
However, the game at the Bridge is a very different one and promises to be pulsating.
Player to Watch: Alvaro Morata
After starting his career in England by receiving criticisms for missing a penalty in the community shield against today’s opponents at Wembley, Alvaro Morata has turned it around.
He has been in good form for the champions lately, the Spaniard is finally enjoying life at the Bridge, especially in the Premier League, where he has scored three goals so far.
In fact, the former Real Madrid impact sub has been involved in 5 Premier League goals, three goals and two assists- all of which have come through his head.
So, the Gunners must be at their best to deny him every space he’d need to get his head on any cross from Cesar Azpilicueta.
For the visitors, the stunning goal Alexis Sanchez scored against Koln could help lift his confidence after his failed move to City.
He’s important to everything the Gunners will do today, and let’s hope he’s not the only one still fighting after an hour.
Team News:
For the hosts, they will be without new signing, Danny Drinkwater, who is out with a calf problem but are set to hand Eden Hazard is first start in the league, after his return in the champions league.
Meanwhile, Arsenal made nine changes to the team that faced Koln, with most likely like return against the champions.
However, Francis Coquelin and Santi Cazorla are all confirmed out.
Managers’ corner:
Antonio Conte, Chelsea’s manager: “Arsenal are one of the top six teams in England. They have a very good squad and have the chance to fight for the title. It’s a massive game for us. When you play against Arsenal it’s always a massive game – the same as against City, United, Liverpool, Tottenham.
“Anything can happen. We have to fight against a rival. I watched their game [on Thursday] and they rotated a lot of players and rested a lot of players for the game against us, so I don’t think the fact they played after us is an advantage.”
Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger: “I believe in three days we can recover. Overall, that should not be a problem.
“Our record against Chelsea recently has been good. We won at the Emirates last year, we won the FA Cup final and on penalties in the Community Shield so let’s just continue to focus on the quality of our game and not too much where we play.
“Chelsea looked comfortable after 20 minutes [in midweek against Qarabag] but that doesn’t bother me. I think we need to focus on our performance and play our game.”
Analysis:
The Arsenal I saw against Cologne were vulnerable on the counter, which could see them harmed by Chelsea, who are set up to counter attack and with Eden Hazard back, it’s left to be seen how Arsenal handle this Antonio Conte side, who are on a high at the moment.
Verdict:
There is only one result today, a Chelsea win. But can they Gunners get a draw or even snatch a rare away win? You never know, football, bloody hell!!!
Betting?
Well, I’d say both sides to score/over 2.5goals.
