Arsenal v Chelsea Preview, Odds and Tips – Sunday 29/12/2019

English Premier League: Arsenal v Chelsea Preview – Emirates stadium – Sunday, 29th December, 2019 – 14:00 BST

Arsenal will play their first home game on Sunday afternoon at the Emirates under new manager Mikel Arteta while trying desperately to bridge the 8-point gap between them and their forthcoming weekend rivals Chelsea.

Given the club's terrible history in away games, Gunners' new boss may have taken heart from the manner in which his team fought back from being a goal down at the Dean Court to equalize against Bournemouth, playing some fluid football in the bargain.

Arsenal's go-to man was as usual Pierre Aubameyang who levelled for the Gunners against the Cherries and will be expected by Arteta to deliver on Sunday.

The Gunners created plenty of chances in the opening 45 minutes but let go off easy chances to score, Alexandre Lacazzete being the culprit on two occasions.

The mid-week goal against the Cherries was the North London club's first in three games after their 0-3 loss to Man City and a 0-0 draw to Everton, highlighting the club's scoring inconsistency.

Apart from the prolific Aubameyang who already has 14 goals, others like the expensive Lyon-import Nicolas Pepe and Lacazette will have to step up their game inside the box.

Mikel Arteta will be without a considerable number of players for Sunday's clash with Sead Kolasinac, Gabriel Martinelli, Rob Holding and Kieran Tierney nursing injuries.

Arsenal haven’t seen a home win since late October and their defensive shortcomings could prove even more worrying at the Emirates, with as many as 10 goals conceded in five games.

The Gunners are out of the Top ten for the first time in the season after the drawn Dean Court game and are currently placed at a dismal 11th on the EPL table.

Arsenal Predicted Starting Line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation:

Leno (goal); Mailtand-Niles, Mustafi, Luiz, Saka; Guendouzi, Xhaka; Pepe, Willock, Aubameyang; Lacazette.

Chelsea suffered a shock 0-2 midweek defeat to bottom-half side Southampton but are fortunate to still find themselves among the Top Four even after their fifth loss from their previous seven games.

Which is why their 0-2 win over Tottenham last weekend looked like a flash in the pan.

The Blues rode on two brilliant goals from Willian in a game where Frank Lampard's men showed plenty of intent. Something of that kind will be expected from them at the Emirates in the last match of the year.

While bungling against lesser teams like Bournemouth, West Ham, Everton and Southampton, the Blues performed admirably against teams of the Top eight, playing out draws against Leicester City, Sheffield United and notching up convincing wins against sides like the formidable Wolves and Tottenham.

Lampard will be without Olivier Giroud and midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek out with injuries.

Tammy Abraham will be expected to fire for the Blues again having netted 11 times thus far in the Premier League alone. Mason Mount will be the man that they will hope to supply him and also get goals.

Chelsea Predicted Starting Line up in a 4-3-3 formation:

Kepa (goal); Azpilicueta, Rudiger, Tomori, Alonso; Kante, Mount, Kovacic; Pulisic, Pedro, Abraham;

Arsenal v Chelsea Stats – Head To Head

Here's a look at the last five encounters between the two:

Jan 1, 2018: Arsenal 2-1 Chelsea (EFL Cup)
Jan 10, 2018: Chelsea 0-0 Arsenal (EFL Cup)
Aug 18, 2018: Chelsea 3-2 Arsenal
Jan 19, 2019: Arsenal 2-0 Chelsea
May 29, 2019: Chelsea 4-1 Arsenal (UEL)

Arsenal v Chelsea Betting Odds

Arsenal v Chelsea Winner Odds

Ladbrokes are going for a Chelsea win at the Emirates as the odds below suggest

Arsenal 19/10
Draw 13/5
Chelsea 5/4

Correct score odds:

(Bet365 odds subject to change and correct as of 27/12/2019)

Draw 1-1: 7/1
Chelsea 2-1: 10/1
Draw 2-2: 11/1
Arsenal 2-1: 11/1
Chelsea 1-0: 12/1`
Arsenal 1-0: 14/1
Chelsea 2-0: 16/1
Chelsea 3-1: 18/1
Arsenal 2-0: 18/1
Arsenal 3-1: 20/1
Chelsea 3-2: 20/1
Draw 0-0: 18/1
Arsenal 3-2: 22/1

Both teams to score odds:

Yes: 4/9
No: 13/8

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