Petr Cech was more or less thrown out of Stamford Bridge after last season, as Chelsea didn't think it needed one of the top goalkeepers in the world when it also had Thibaut Courtois to man the pipes. Cech though, found a good home at Arsenal, and he'd love nothing more than to help put another dagger in his former team's season when these two London foes meet at the Emirates in a huge showdown on Sunday.
Soccer Odds at BookMaker.eu
Arsenal +105
Chelsea +275
Draw +250
Over/Under 2.5 (under -115)
ODDS ANALYSIS
Arsenal is generally an odds-on favorite at home, and for good reason. The Gunners are generally the real deal, and their 7-2-1 mark at home is only bested by Manchester City's 9-1-2 tote. Scoring on the Gunners is virtually impossible here, as they've conceded just six times in 10 matches.
However, thanks to the name Chelsea, the Blues are still only just slight underdogs in this match. The Gunners are set at +105 and are deserving choices of the oddsmakers, but the fact that the 14th place team on the table is only +275 on the road at Arsenal is still a huge shock.
The total is standard at 2.5 and -115 vig on the under.
KEY INJURIES
Not a lot has changed for Arsenal in recent weeks on the injury front. Santiago Cazorla, Francis Coquelin, Tomas Rosicky, Jack Wilshere and Danny Welbeck are all still out, though there's a good chance that Alexis Sanchez could be back in the fold for the first time since November thanks to a hamstring injury in this one.
Chelsea is hoping that Diego Costa is ready to get back on the pitch after suffering a shin injury last week against Everton that caused him to be subbed out. With Radamel Falcao and Eden Hazard both sidelined, Costa is really the only great offensive option for Guus Hiddink to put at the top of the formation.
QUOTE TO NOTE
"My first focus was on getting together as soon as possible with the experienced players and the younger players to get the team rolling. But after being here for a few weeks now, I have a better view, a better analysis of the young players as well, after seeing them in training." – Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink insinuating that some of his younger players could be on display in the weeks to come as the Blues finish out this disappointing campaign
RECENT FORM
Last season, it was darn near impossible to score against Chelsea. This year, goals are pouring into the back of its net with ease. The Blues drew successive home matches against Everton and West Brom, and the fact that the matches were 3-3 and 2-2 respectively was stunning. The good news though, is that Chelsea has scored at least twice in four straight fixtures.
Arsenal has blown some chances of late, drawing against both Liverpool and Stoke City to fall into a tie with Leicester City at the top of the table. The Gunners though, haven't been beaten in a match since getting smashed at Southampton 4-0 on December 26.
ANALYSIS AND ODDS PREDICTION
We get the feeling the Gunners are going to run wild in this match. Sure, Chelsea won this derby back in September 2-0, but that was before the wheels really fell off for Jose Mourinho.
Now, Theo Walcott is back in fine form at the top for the Gunners, and they could be set to shine against a team which truly is closer to relegation than it would like to admit. Energy and passion should be high at the Emirates on Sunday afternoon, and we think that will carry Arsenal to an emphatic victory which will be much deserved.
Arsenal 3, Chelsea 1
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