CHELSEA are up against big rivals Arsenal in a tasty Premier League clash TONIGHT at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues are coming into the game off the back of two wins over Fulham and Burnley while the Gunners overcame Manchester City before the international break.
- Start time: 5.30pm BST
- Stream/TV: Sky Sports PL
- Chelsea XI: Sanchez; Cucurella, Silva, Mudryk, Sterling, Enzo, Palmer, Caicedo, Colwill, Gusto, Gallagher
- Arsenal XI: Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Jorginho, Rice, Ødegaard; Saka, Jesus, Martinelli
CHELSEA – ARSENAL GET 30/1 ON 1+ GOAL TO BE SCORED
Follow all the action with our live blog below…
Poch hoping to earn Spurs
Maurico Pochettino is no stranger to the importance of matches against Arsenal, having taken charge of Tottenham in 13 North London derbies.
And now the Chelsea faithful will be hoping he can bring a bit of his magic to the Bridge.
Pochettino has never lost a Premier League home game against the Gunners, winning three and drawing three of his six such meetings.
Overall, his sides have only failed to score in two of his 13 league meetings with the Gunners, though they’ve never scored more than twice in a match.
Arsenal welcome back Saka
The big news in the Arsenal camp is that Bukayo Saka has recovered from his recent hamstring trouble.
The England star is joined in Mikel Arteta’s front three by Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli, who is rewarded with a start after his match-winning contribution against Manchester City last time out.
Meanwhile, Jorginho starts in midfield against his former club as David Raya continues in goal; Aaron Ramsdale isn’t even on the Arsenal bench with Karl Hein named as the visitors reserve keeper this evening.
Arsenal (4-3-3): 22 Raya; 4 White, 2 Saliba, 6 Gabriel, 35 Zinchenko; 8 Odegaard, 20 Jorginho, 41 Rice; 7 Saka, 9 Jesus, 11 Martinelli
Substitutes: 31 Hein, 5 Partey, 10 Smith Rowe, 14 Nketiah, 15 Kiwior, 19 Tomiyasu, 19 Trossard, 24 Nelson, 29 Havertz
Gusto back for Blues
Mauricio Pochettino makes two changes to the side that he sent out at Burnley before the international break.
The Argentina welcomes back Malo Gusto in defence, and his inclusion at right-back means that Marc Cucurella reverts to his favoured left-back position while Levi Colwell moves into the centre; Axel Disasi drops to the bench.
Meanwhile, Mykhailo Mudryk returns in place of Armando Broka to face the club that he almost joined in January. The Ukrainian plays in a front three with Raheem Sterling and Cole Palmer, and could yet operate through the middle.
Conor Gallagher captains the side in a midfield trio with Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo.
Chelsea (4-3-3): 1 Sanchez; 27 Gusto, 6 Silva, 26 Colwill, 3 Cucurella; 23 Gallagher, 25 Caicedo, 8 Fernandez; 20 Palmer, 10 Mudryk, 7 Sterling
Substitutes: 28 Petrovic, 2 Disasi, 5 Badiashile, 11 Madueke, 15 Jackson, 16 Ugochukwu, 24 James, 29 Maatsen, 36 Washington
Tide turning between rivals
Chelsea have enjoyed much of the 21st century when it comes to matches against Arsenal, but that hasn’t been the case in recent season.
The Blues have lost five of the last six Premier League meetings with the Gunners – as many defeats as they had endured in the previous 25 games against them.
The recent run of defeats include the last three meetings at Stamford Bridge, and another today would mean a new Premier League record.
The last side to win four consecutive league visits to Chelsea were Watford between 1981 and 1986.
Gunners favourites for capital clash
Chelsea’s upturn in form hasn’t been impressive enough to stop the bookmakers from chalking unbeaten Arsenal up as favourites for this Londond derby at Stamford Bridge. In fact, a home victory is the outside bet of the three possible outcomes.
- Chelsea win 11/5
- Draw 21/10
- Arsenal win 13/10
Odds from Paddy Power correct at the time of post publication.
Good afternoon from Stamford Bridge
Welcome to live SunSport coverage of the Premier League clash between Chelsea and Arsenal.
It’s the first instance of North London taking on West London in the top-flight this weekend, but ahead of Tottenham’s home match with Fulham on Monday, this is a chance for Arsenal to regain top spot.
The unbeaten Gunners will move back to the summit with a win, but face a Blues outfit recently rejuvenated by Mauricio Pochettino.
The Stamford Bridge have won their last two matches on their travels and now need to translate that goalscoring, winning football to games on home soil.
However, Mikel Arteta’s men are one of the sternest tests in English football right now, and could yet be boosted by the return of Bukayo Saka.
It’s a 5.30pm kick-off in the capital, and team news will be with us very shortly.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
