Prediction: Chelsea vs Arsenal

2nd October 2010

The whole of England is gearing up for what should be a remarkable match at Stamford Bridge and both sides enter the game with something to prove. Chelsea will stay at the top regardless of the outcome but the Blues want to return to winning ways after losing to City, whereas Arsenal enter the derby in similar mood after the shock defeat to West Brom.

Chelsea looked like a well-oiled machine at the start of the season, with Drogba, Malouda and co. scoring goals for fun, but then came the two defeats that put the players back to the ground. While nobody paid much attention to the Carling Cup defeat to Newcastle, the Blues were soon dealt with another big blow having lost to City in the very next game. They are, nonetheless, still top of the pile and will remain in 1st place after this match, although with Manchester United again slipping up, this will be the perfect opportunity to extend their lead to five points. Carlo Ancelotti, who will lead his side despite the death of his father, will welcome back Didier Drogba to the side after the Ivorian missed the 2:0 win over Marseille through suspension, but Yossi Benayoun, Jose Bosingwa, Salomon Kalou and Frank Lampard remain sidelined.

Arsenal also started the season in excellent fashion with the Gunners winning four straight games after the opening draw at Anfield, but it didn’t take long for the injury curse to strike again and that was exactly what took the wind out of their sails. Arsene Wenger’s side were unlucky to pick up just one point from games with Sunderland and West Brom, but they will have another chance to prove they are serious title contenders by holding Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. That will not be an easy task seeing Almunia, Fabregas, Gibbs, Vermaelen and Walcott are still out of contention, just like long-term absentees Robin Van Persie, Niclas Bendtner and Aaron Ramsey. The Champions League game against Partizan proved Arsenal have major problems at the back and it was up to Lukasz Fabianski to become an unlikely hero with a string of magnificent saves, and another such performance would certainly cost them points in this match.

Conclusion

Chelsea again look like the favourites for the Premiership title and their big advantage over Arsenal is that Carlo Ancelotti will be able to field the strongest possible side with the exception of Frank Lampard. Arsenal, on the other hand, are without key players in all areas of the team and while that is not so evident in other games, the absence of Vermaelen, Fabregas, Walcott and Van Persie will certainly be felt against Chelsea.

Verdict: Home win Chelsea (1)

Best Odds: 3/4

Bookmaker: Paddy Power