Chelsea vs Arsenal Preview, Prediction & Betting Odds (GW13)
Stamford Bridge hosts Sunday's London derby as first-place Arsenal travel to face second-place Chelsea in a pivotal Premier League GW13 matchup. Both sides enter in strong form, but the stakes differ: Arsenal look to extend their lead at the top of the table, while Chelsea aim to cut the gap and continue their impressive run under Enzo Maresca.
Chelsea come in unbeaten in six straight matches across all competitions (five wins, one draw), including a dominant 3-0 victory against Barcelona in midweek Champions League action.
Arsenal, under Mikel Arteta, will look to maintain their momentum and protect a six-point cushion over their West London rivals with another disciplined, high-tempo performance.
This preview covers predicted lineups, injury news, head-to-head history, betting odds and a score prediction for Sunday's Chelsea vs Arsenal match.
Premier League Player News & Updates
Chelsea vs. Arsenal Head-to-Head Record
Chelsea and Arsenal have met 211 times, dating back to 1907 when Arsenal, then known as Woolwich Arsenal, earned a 2-1 victory over Chelsea in a League Division One matchup at Stamford Bridge.
The Gunners lead the all-time series, winning 85 times and drawing on 60 occasions.
More recently, Arsenal have dominated Chelsea. Across their last 10 Premier League showdowns, the Blues have collected just five points.
Fixture Trivia
Question: Which Arsenal player scored a brace to lead Arsenal to a 2020 FA Cup Final victory over Chelsea?
Gameweek 12 Trivia: In Premier League play, who is Arsenal's all-time leading scorer versus Tottenham?
Robert Pires's seven goals across 11 Premier League matches (eight starts) are the most all-time for Arsenal versus Spurs.
Betting Odds and Predictions for Chelsea vs. Arsenal Match
Premier League Odds Comparisons
Moneyline Odds
DraftKings: CHE +235 Draw +240, ARS +120
FanDuel: CHE +240 Draw +220, ARS +120
BetMGM: CHE +230 Draw +230, ARS +120
Bet365: CHE +240 Draw +230, ARS +120
Visit RotoWire all season for exclusive sports betting picks and our weekly Premier League betting show. Remember that betting apps vary in terms of odds, so we have an easy-to-use odds page that allows you to shop for the best lines at DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM and PointsBet. Claim over a thousand dollars in bonuses by signing up at the best sports betting sites using the best sportsbook promos.
RECENT FORM
Chelsea (WWWDW) have gone unbeaten across their last six matches in all competitions (five wins, one draw) since falling to Sunderland. Across the undefeated stretch, Maresca's men have outscored their opponents 15-5.
Arsenal (DWLLW) are unbeaten across all competitions since a 1-0 loss to Liverpool in Gameweek 3. Though renowned for their defensive solidity, the Gunners have scored at least two goals in each of their last six fixtures.
FORMATIONS
Chelsea employ a 4-2-3-1 under Enzo Maresca with an emphasis on controlling games. When in possession, look for a Chelsea full-back to join the attack to create a 3-3-5 look in the opponent's half.
Arsenal have worked to perfect their high-possession system, predicated upon size and strength at center-forward and in the midfield. Expect Arteta to use a base 4-2-3-1 formation, giving his team the ability to control the ball and push forward in front of goalkeeper David Raya.
CONFIRMED LINEUP NOTES & INJURY NEWS
Premier League Predicted & Confirmed Lineups
Chelsea Injury News & Lineup Notes
Chelsea's most pressing injury concern is with their world-class playmaker Cole Palmer (groin, toe). There was initial optimism that Palmer would be available to return in Chelsea's midweek Champions League matchup versus Barcelona. However, the attacker missed the match after suffering an at-home toe injury. Alluding to more encouraging news for the weekend, Enzo Maresca confirmed, "Cole Palmer is fit to play for Chelsea against London rivals Arsenal in Sunday's Premier League game at Stamford Bridge."
If Palmer begins on the bench, Joao Pedro could start by dropping into attacking midfield with Liam Delap spearheading the attack. If Maresca includes Palmer in starting XI, look for Pedro to lead the line.
In the midfield, Dario Essugo (thigh) is yet to play a minute this season and is eyeing a late-December return. Additionally, perpetually hobbled Romeo Lavia (quadriceps) has logged just 179 minutes this season and is currently recovering form a muscle injury he suffered just eight minutes into Chelsea's draw at Qarabag FK.
With the team short on options in the center of the park, Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez have played the lion's share of minutes with Andrey Santos playing a rotational role. If Maresca opts to bring a nuanced layer of unpredictability to the fixture, he has also deployed Reece James, typically the team's starting right full-back, in a central midfield role.
Levi Colwill (knee) remains a long-term absence after suffering an ACL injury in August.
Arsenal Injury News & Lineup Notes
The Gunners enter the fixture nursing a trio of long-term injuries. With an eye on returning in late December, Gabriel Jesus (knee) has recently played his first minutes in a closed-door friendly, according to Arteta. Kai Havertz (knee) has not played since the Gunners' opening match of the season but has a chance to play Sunday, according to Arteta. The gaffer stated, "We have another day tomorrow, so let's see how everybody is tomorrow." Lastly, defender Gabriel (thigh) remains out for a matter of weeks without a definitive timetable for return.
In attack, Viktor Gyokeres (hamstring) is the Gunners' most consequential question mark. The striker suffered an injury on Nov. 1 versus Burnley and has not seen the pitch since. If Gyokeres is not available, look for Mikel Merino to play a false-nine role for Arteta in the striker's stead. In support of the striker, wide-midfielder Leandro Trossard (undisclosed) is questionable for the fixture after missing Arsenal's midweek victory over Bayern Munich. If Trossard is unable to pass a pre-match fitness test, look for either Noni Madueke or Gabriel Martinelli to feature on Arsenal's left-flank.
KEY MATCHUPS
Full-back Push & Pull
Both Arteta and Maresca are fluent in deploying inverted wing-backs in their formation in an effort to create numerical advantages and tactical overloads.
Arteta relies upon Riccardo Calafiori to maintain his defensive responsibility while also being given license to charge into the midfield and attack when the Gunners are in sustained possession. On Arsenal's right attacking side, look for Jurrien Timber to play a traditional full-back role while picking his spots to make overlapping runs in support of Bukayo Saka.
Opposite of Calafiori, Chelsea's club captain Reece James also supports a hybrid tactical nuance implemented by Maresca. When Chelsea are building into the opponent half and sustaining possession in the attacking-third, expect to see James plying his trade in a holding role alongside Moises Caicedo while Enzo Fernandez pushes forward. Marc Cucurella supports Chelsea's left-flank. The Spaniard wrought havoc against Barcelona on Tuesday, taking up attacking positions that pinned the Barca attackers in their own half and created numerical advantages.
Playmakers versus Double-Pivots
Both Chelsea and Arsenal are expected to deploy a pair of holding midfielders ahead of their backline's Sunday. Each pairing will be tasked with containing the opponent's No. 10 who will sit in the pocket below the striker and look to pick-up positions between the defensive and midfield lines.
Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi will be responsible for holding the likes of Joao Pedro, Estevao and/or Cole Palmer in-check as Chelsea seek for a combination to overwhelm the stalwart Arsenal defense that has conceded an average of 0.5 goals per league fixture.
Conversely Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez are Chelsea's presumed midfield pairing ahead of their defensive unit. The duo is anticipated to contend with an in-form Eberechi Eze who has picked up three goals and one assist across his last two appearances (two starts). If Arteta goes to his bench to catalyze the attack, look for Havertz, if fit, or Martin Odegaard to play their part in the No. 10 role.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Enzo Fernandez is Chelsea's joint-leading scorer in the Premier League with four goals across 11 appearances (11 starts). The box-to-box midfielder has collected one goal and one assist across his last two appearances (two starts) in all competitions. If Chelsea are able to take points from this matchup, it will be likely due to Fernandez's ability to both create chances around the box while in attack and contribute to the Blues' defensive solidity when the squad is forced to suffer.
I back Fernandez to create multiple chances Sunday while playing his role in stymieing the formidable attack of the league-leaders, Arsenal.
RESULT
Chelsea 1 - Arsenal 1
UPCOMING FIXTURES
Chelsea: Dec. 3 at Leeds United
Arsenal: Dec. 3 vs Brentford
