Arsenal vs. Chelsea English Premier League Preview and Prediction
This week features a manic London rivalry between two of the longest-standing clubs in top-flight English football, Arsenal and Chelsea. Arsenal are five points clear at the top, but every English club (besides Wolves) has a game in hand. A Chelsea upset would not just be huge for them, but would also affect the standings astronomically. From the Gunners’ point of view, they’ll want to win out for the rest of the season to avoid letting Manchester City catch them, and surely they plan on doing so at home at Emirates Stadium this weekend.
Arsenal vs. Chelsea EPL Odds and Betting Trends
The mighty Young Gunners have gone undefeated against the Blues in their last 10 consecutive matchups since the summer of 2021. Chelsea has only come close with three draws in those 10, except all of those results were at Stamford Bridge. Arsenal boasts only victories at home against Chelsea within their last 10 games, winning four out of four home matchups, including their most recent EFL Cup semifinal win on February 3.
Of course, Arsenal are major favourites to win the league for the first time in 22 years at -220 and come in on Sunday as -160 home favourites on the EPL odds. Chelsea last won the Premier League in 2017, and are projected for a top-four finish at +270 odds, while they head to the Emirates at +425 odds to win. A draw, which has only occurred at Stamford Bridge in recent history, is priced at +300 for this one, with more than 2.5 goals expected to find the net.
Arsenal
Including this matchup against Chelsea, the Gunners really only have one big-time matchup left in the EPL out of their remaining 10 games, which is against Man City. Arsenal are on the brink of their first successful season in over two decades, yet they recently dropped four points in their last three games with draws to Brentford and Wolves when they could’ve pulled away. However, they are still undefeated since January 25 with the lowest goals allowed (21) and the most goals scored (56), and they have a historical advantage at home against Chelsea, proving they can win this matchup.
Viktor Gyokeres once again finds himself as the most probable goalscorer in this matchup at +160 after netting four goals in his last five games and 10 on the season. Eberechi Eze (+275) has six to his name, followed by his three teammates, Martin Zubimendi (+400), Bukayo Saka (+270), and Leandro Trossard (+255) – all with five goals each.
Chelsea
Chelsea’s inconsistency in all competitions has prevented them from excelling as a top European club this year, but they are still in fifth place in the EPL with automatic Round of 16 qualification in the Champions League. They’ve snagged just five points in their last three league games with just six goals to show for, all against lighter competition.
The Blues have been able to down some major competitors this year, including Benfica, Liverpool, Tottenham, and Barcelona, while drawing Arsenal and City. Although, when it comes to facing smaller clubs like Leeds, Fulham, and Burnley, they tend to falter.
Cole Palmer is the main man for the Blues as always, with eight goals so far despite fighting an early-season injury, as he comes in this weekend set to score at +290. Only Enzo Fernández (+500) and Joao Pedro (+400) match the English international in league goals for the team with eight and 11, respectively.
EPL Prediction: Who Will Win Arsenal vs. Chelsea?
Arsenal takes pride in their goal differential (35) this year, and will look to outclass Chelsea like they did in both legs of the EFL Cup Semifinal. Chelsea are always strong candidates to beat the Gunners, but have only drawn them at home. Now, with Arsenal’s strength this season, it’s hard to see Chelsea overcome a 10-game winless streak against their rivals at their best in years.
Considering this one is in Arsenal’s house, and the Gunners can’t afford to drop any more points if they want the trophy, I like Arsenal to come out with a 2-1 win in this one – setting them up nicely for the home stretch of the EPL season.