Arsenal head to Stamford Bridge to take on Chelsea in an all-London clash in the Premier League on Sunday evening, and we’ve got the latest team news and confirmed lineups, as well as a prediction alongside our preview.
Chelsea vs Arsenal Preview
Gameweek 11 in the Premier League draws to a close with Chelsea hosting Arsenal in a crucial clash towards the top end of the table, with both sides looking to get back to winning ways in the league.
Last weekend, the Blues played out a 1-1 draw with Manchester United at Old Trafford, which followed a 2-0 defeat to Newcastle in the Carabao Cup, and they most recently ran out as 8-0 winners over Noah in the Conference League.
Enzo Maresca’s side are currently top of the Conference League table with a 100% win record, while they head into the weekend’s action in fourth place in the English top-flight table, ahead of both Arsenal and Aston Villa on goal difference.
Time to stand up and be counted. pic.twitter.com/Inrdtmezto
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) November 7, 2024
The Gunners have drifted away from Liverpool and Manchester City, who occupy first and second place, as they currently sit in fifth place – seven points adrift of the leaders – after going three games without a win in the league.
Defeats to Bournemouth and Newcastle sandwiched a 2-2 draw with Liverpool at the Emirates, and they were also beaten 1-0 by Inter in the Champions League in midweek, seeing them drop down to 12th in that competition.
Chelsea and Arsenal last met in April earlier this year, where Mikel Arteta’s men recorded a thumping 5-0 victory in North London courtesy of braces from Ben White and Kai Havertz, as well as a singular goal from Leandro Trossard.
We’ve also got the key Chelsea vs Arsenal stats to take into the game.
Chelsea Team News
The Blues were sweating over the fitness of star player Cole Palmer, who picked up a knock in the draw at Old Trafford last weekend. The England international has been deemed fit enough to start, however.
Meanwhile, Jadon Sancho misses out due to a knock and a reported illness, while Omari Kellyman is unavailable due to a hamstring issue.
Arsenal Team News
As for the visitors, they remain without Riccardo Calafiori (knee), Takehiro Tomiyasu (knee) and Kieran Tierney (hamstring) through injury, and Raheem Sterling is ineligible to face his parent club.
Martin Odegaard made his long-awaited return as a substitute in midweek and now returns to the starting lineup.
There were doubts over both Declan Rice (foot) and Kai Havertz (knock), but they have both shaken off their issues to start.
Chelsea vs Arsenal Confirmed Lineups
Chelsea confirmed Lineup:
Sanchez; Gusto, Fofana, Colwill, James; Caicedo, Lavia; Madueke, Palmer, Neto; Jackson
Arsenal confirmed Lineup:
Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber; Partey, Rice, Odegaard; Saka, Havertz, Martinelli
Chelsea vs Arsenal Prediction
The UK’s best football betting sites are narrowly favouring Arsenal to secure all three points at Stamford Bridge in this weekend’s marquee fixture, but we at SportsCasting are backing the spoils to be shared with a score draw.
Chelsea have put in some strong performances as of late, impressing against the likes of Liverpool, Newcastle and Brighton, while the Gunners have been in poor form amid several injury concerns within their squad.
Despite some underwhelming results in recent weeks, you simply cannot count Arsenal out, especially in games like this as proven against Liverpool two weeks ago, which is why we’re favouring a stalemate in this one.
Prediction: Chelsea 1-1 Arsenal
