Arsenal vs Chelsea 5/2 Bet Builder – Mark O’Haire
Arsenal provided the perfect response to questions posed about their nerve under pressure by emphatically sweeping aside arch-rivals Tottenham in last weekend’s North London derby. Mikel Arteta’s men cruelly outclassed their hapless neighbours to consolidate their five-point advantage at the top of the Premier League table.
The Gunners now face another test of their title credentials on Sunday afternoon when Chelsea arrive at The Etihad. Arsenal have enjoyed recent meetings with the Blues and will be eager to pick up where they left off at Spurs. However, with this fixture taking place after Man City’s match on Saturday, the pressure will undoubtedly be cranked up.
Eberechi Eze will hope to keep his place after his impact in the number 10 role last weekend, whilst Arsenal are only likely to be missing Kai Havertz and Mikel Merino for Sunday’s showdown. Chelsea head across town without the suspended Wesley Fofana, plus injured Marc Cucurella, Levi Colwill with Estevao considered a doubt.
Match Result –
Arsenal to win
Arsenal are strong favourites to succeed with the Gunners going W10-D3-L1 in their last 14 encounters with Chelsea, including back-to-back League Cup semi-final victories over the Blues earlier this year. Arsenal have tabled W21-D8-L3 in their last 32 home league games, whilst Chelsea are W1-D3-L8 in their past 12 trips to top six opposition.
Total Cards – Over 4.5
Arsenal versus Chelsea fixtures tend to be feisty. Six of the most recent nine renewals have produced at least five bookings, including five of their past seven EPL matchups. Darren England officiates here – the arbiter is averaging 4.25 cards this season, delivering 4+ in 12 of 16 with four of his last five fixtures seeing 5+ bookings brandished.
Team Cards – Each Team Over 0.5
Twelve of the last 16 meetings between Arsenal and Chelsea have seen both sides booked with six of the past seven Premier League showdowns seeing the Gunners and Blues each collecting multiple cards. Arsenal have been cautioned in 79% of overall EPL outings with Chelsea following suit in 96% of their league matches this season.
Team Corners – Chelsea Over 1.5
Chelsea have covered this corner total in all but one of their away Premier League games this season, as well as 14 of their past 15 trips to The Emirates. Meanwhile, nine of 13 visitors to Arsenal have forced two corners or more, including four of the past five with the Gunners giving up 2.31 corners per-game at home in league action.
