Here’s a look ahead to Sunday’s Premier League clash at Stamford Bridge, where we’ll break down our Chelsea vs. Arsenal prediction and preview. Will the Blues be able to deliver another setback to Mikel Arteta’s title ambitions?
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Chelsea vs Arsenal: Preview
Following back-to-back losses to Bournemouth and Newcastle United, Arsenal’s quest to end their lengthy domestic title drought is now in jeopardy.
Their recent 1-0 defeat at St. James’ Park means Mikel Arteta’s Gunners have picked up only seven points from their last five league outings, putting them seven points behind league leaders Liverpool as Matchday 11 approaches.
Injuries have disrupted Arteta’s squad, and they face another tough challenge on Sunday against a Chelsea side who are just above them on goal difference.
Enzo Maresca’s Blues recently rallied to a 1-1 draw with Manchester United, with Moisés Caicedo’s volley leveling the score after Bruno Fernandes’ penalty. Chelsea has only suffered defeats to Manchester City and Liverpool under Maresca’s leadership.
Chelsea’s last three league losses were against last season’s top three teams, including a defeat to Arsenal in April. Against all other opposition, they’re unbeaten in their last 21 matches, securing 14 wins and seven draws, with 57 goals scored — an average of 2.7 per game.
Maresca’s young squad shows great promise for the future. Their starting XI at Old Trafford last week had an average age of just 23 years and 96 days.
Chelsea showcased their potential on Thursday, dismantling Armenian side Noah 8-0 in the UEFA Conference League. However, despite steady progress, they’re arguably still chasing their first major statement win under Enzo Maresca in the Premier League.
The Blues are hoping Cole Palmer will be fit after sustaining a knock against Manchester United. Since his arrival at Stamford Bridge last year, Palmer has scored more home goals in the competition than any other Chelsea player (21).
Nicolas Jackson, with 12 goal involvements in Premier League London derbies since the start of last season, leads all players in this metric, posing a significant threat that Arsenal’s defense will need to contain.
For Arsenal, it’s critical to bounce back after recent setbacks against Bournemouth and Newcastle. They risk a third consecutive Premier League away loss — a streak they haven’t endured since December 2021, a season that ended with them outside the top four. Adding to their challenges, they were narrowly defeated 1-0 by Inter Milan in the Champions League midweek.
The Gunners have gathered only seven points from five away league games this season, placing them behind Liverpool (13), Nottingham Forest (11), and Chelsea, Manchester City, and Aston Villa (all with 10).
Martin Ødegaard’s return from a two-month ankle injury layoff is a welcome boost for Arsenal. The Norwegian playmaker led the Premier League last season in expected assists (11.2 xA) and chances created from open play (88).
Although Arsenal have scored 17 goals from an expected 15.8 xG, indicating strong finishing, their overall xG rank of eighth in the league reveals underlying issues in generating quality chances.
Chelsea vs Arsenal: Head-to-Head
Historically, Arsenal had a hard time facing Chelsea in the Premier League, but recent matchups have seen a shift.
The Gunners have secured wins in three of their last four league visits to Stamford Bridge (D1), matching their total victories from the prior 20 visits (D7 L10).
In their last nine Premier League encounters, Chelsea has managed only one win against Arsenal (D2 L6), a 2-0 away victory back in August 2021.
Their most recent clash ended in a 5-0 triumph for Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium in April, marking Arsenal’s biggest win margin over Chelsea across all competitions.
Chelsea vs Arsenal: Team News and Predicted Lineup
Chelsea: Team News
Chelsea’s coaching staff will decide last-minute whether Cole Palmer is fit to face Arsenal on Sunday.
The Gunners head to Stamford Bridge tied with Chelsea on 18 points, with the Blues expected to feature a lineup different from the one that beat FC Noah 8-0 in Thursday’s Conference League match. Palmer, Chelsea’s standout performer, is a fitness concern; though he’s moving without issues after sustaining a knock against Manchester United, he missed most of the week’s training sessions.
If Palmer isn’t cleared to start, Joao Felix is the leading option for the No. 10 role after netting two goals in the first half against Noah on Thursday.
“He’s improving,” manager Enzo Maresca said post-match on Thursday. “We still have two days to prepare, and hopefully he’ll be fit for Saturday’s session. After that, we’ll make a decision.”
Palmer and Jadon Sancho, who has been dealing with illness and a knock, watched the Noah game together.
On Wednesday, Maresca shared, “Sancho is recovering from illness. He had a knock in training, so we’ll assess whether he’s available for Arsenal or after the international break.”
Chelsea: Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1)
- Goalkeeper – Sanchez
- Defenders – Gusto, Fofana, Colwill, James
- Midfielders – Lavia, Caicedo, Nkunku
- Forwards – Madueke, Neto, Jackson
Arsenal: Team News
Martin Ødegaard is pushing to start Arsenal’s game against Chelsea on Sunday.
The midfielder returned from injury on Wednesday night, coming off the bench in the final minutes of Arsenal’s 1-0 Champions League loss to Inter Milan. Now, Ødegaard is aiming to start in the weekend’s clash at Stamford Bridge.
“Everyone in the squad will be fit and ready to start,” said Mikel Arteta. “The question is whether it’s the right time for certain players to begin the game or if it’s a bit early.”
Declan Rice, however, remains a doubt for the Chelsea match due to a broken toe. The midfielder hasn’t trained this week and will undergo a late fitness test to determine his availability.
“I have to be vague here because we’re uncertain about his fitness for the weekend,” Arteta said. “What I can confirm is he hasn’t trained, and it’s unclear if he’ll be ready to play.”
Kai Havertz and Mikel Merino are also uncertain. Havertz took a blow to the head against Inter, requiring stitches, while Merino was substituted at halftime, as he hadn’t felt well leading up to the match.
“We’ll have to see how they both recover,” said Arteta. “Kai had a bad cut, and we had to sub him out. Mikel didn’t feel great from the day before, so we made the decision to take him off at halftime.”
Arsenal will be without Raheem Sterling on Sunday, as he is on loan from Chelsea and ineligible to face his parent club. Additionally, Kieran Tierney (hamstring) and Takehiro Tomiyasu (knee) are sidelined with injuries.
Arsenal: Predicted Lineup (4-4-2)
- Goalkeeper – Raya
- Defenders – White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber
- Midfielders – Saka, Partey, Jorginho, Martinelli
- Forwards – Havertz, Trossard
Chelsea vs Arsenal: Match Prediction
Arsenal’s recent attacking struggles have been evident, though Ødegaard’s return is crucial for restoring some creative spark and unlocking defenses.
With Chelsea’s inconsistent home defense, they may have to settle for a draw against their London rivals, particularly if Palmer isn’t fully fit. In such a scenario, Maresca might walk away the more satisfied of the two managers with a point shared.
Chelsea have performed admirably against Manchester City and Liverpool and were close to defeating Manchester United. While Arsenal cannot be dismissed, their recent form has left much to be desired.
Prediction – Chelsea 1-1 Arsenal
When and Where to Watch the Match? Broadcast & Streaming Details
Chelsea will face Arsenal on Sunday, at home on November 10, with the match set to kick off from 10 PM IST at Stamford Bridge. Star Sports Network holds the broadcasting rights for the 2024-25 Premier League season in India. The game will be aired live on the Star Sports TV channels. Fans can also watch the match via live stream on the Disney+ Hotstar app and website in India.
Read More: Conference League 2024-25 Matchday 3 Round-Up: Chelsea’s Historic 8-0 Triumph
Is Cole Palmer fit to play against Arsenal?
Palmer is doubtful, having missed most training sessions after a knock against Manchester United. A late fitness test will decide his availability.
Will Martin Ødegaard start for Arsenal against Chelsea?
Ødegaard is aiming for a starting spot after a late cameo in the midweek game against Inter. Arteta is considering if it’s the right time for him to start.
Who is unavailable for Arsenal?
Arsenal will be missing Raheem Sterling, who is on loan from Chelsea, along with Kieran Tierney (hamstring) and Takehiro Tomiyasu (knee).
What’s Arsenal’s recent form like?
Arsenal have struggled in recent weeks, particularly in attack, and come off defeats to Bournemouth, Newcastle, and Inter Milan.
