Chelsea Entertain Arsenal In Early Title Six-Pointer

Arsenal could close the gap on leaders Chelsea by three points by sealing a win against the table toppers tomorrow (5th October, 14:05), though a loss away at Stamford Bridge would see the Blues move nine points clear of the Gunners and five clear of nearest title rivals Manchester City, should the Sky Blues overturn Aston Villa tonight. Chelsea are undefeated in all competitions this season whilst Arsenal are already out of the League Cup after 2-1 loss at home to Southampton. Arsene Wenger`s men also fell to a 3-0 defeat in Germany at the hands of Dortmund in the Champions League though are yet to be beaten in the Premier League. The Reds sit in fourth place with 10 points from six games.

A 3-0 victory over Aston Villa was sandwiched between two valuable points against champions Manchester City (2-2) and North London rivals Spurs (1-1) last weekend. Danny Welbeck, who netted the team`s second in the thrashing of the West Midlands side, is full on confidence having earned himself the match ball against galatasaray in the Champions League on Wednesday. A contribution from Alexis Sanchez made sure that Burak Yilmaz`s successfully converted penalty was nothing but a blip in the 4-1 rout of Cesar Prandelli`s Super Lig runners-up. Welbeck can be backed at 3/1 with betfair to strike again against Chelsea.

The home side have their own on-fire striker in Diego Costa who will be looking to bag his ninth in all competitions since the start of the season. The £35 million Athletico Madrid transfer has not let a hamstring injury affect his performance and has kept up his superb goals to game ratio despite doing next to no training according to boss Jose Mourinho. Both Betbright and Bwin have the Spaniard at 11/10 to add one to his tally whilst a price of 11/2 (Bwin) is being offered on a brace for the number 19. Costa scored the second goal in the Blues` last Premier League game as they matched the benchmark set by Arsenal as they too dispatched Villa 3-0. Oscar opened his team`s account in the 7th minute before Willian added the third 10 minutes from time. Thanks to being in pole position in the Premier League, Chelsea are the 7/10 favourites to rule victorious over Arsenal at Stamford Bridge tomorrow. Betbright are offering 55/12 on an away result whilst a tie is 16/5 with Betvictor.

Both managers will have selection headaches with key faces missing for both sides. Chelsea`s big problems come in attacking positions with the still-recovering Costa only one of two strikers available to play. Twenty-seven-year-old Frenchman Loic Remy is the only alternative to the poacher as Blues legend Didier Drogba continues to return to full fitness after exacerbating an ankle injury during training at the beginning of the week. Remy is 8/5 (Betvictor) to find the net at any time.

Mourinho will also have to do without Ramires who finds himself at the mercy of a recurring groin problem. The Brazilian is yet to feature since being substituted against Manchester City and is set to be replaced by either John Obi Mikel or Oscar.

It is Arsenal`s midfield that has been plagued by injury problems with three important faces anticipated to miss out tomorrow. Mikel Arteta has not been seen since leaving the field at White Hart Lane with a calf problem whilst Aaron Ramsey fell victim to his hamstring in the same match. The pair join Abou Diaby on the sidelines after the Frenchman picked up yet another injury, though Jack Wilshere will make his return to the starting eleven despite also hobbling off in the North London derby. The Englishman is 10/1 (32red, 888sport, betfair, unibet) to grab a goal at any time ahead of next weekend`s international break.

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04/10/2014     © Frixo 2026