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Chelsea Vs Arsenal – Line-ups, Injury News, Match Dacts, Preview And Prediction

Chelsea vs. Arsenal

Stamford Bridge

20/01/13

1.30pm (UK)

 

Chelsea host cross town rivals Arsenal ad-mist of freezing temperatures and a possibility of snow fall when they kick off this afternoon. Rafa Benitez and his men have squandered more points at Stamford Bridge than in their travel. The Blues will be hoping to turn it around at-least when they face their London rivals who will be coming into the match after a 2-0 loss to champions Manchester City. Both teams will be looking to get back to winning ways with Benitez having a bit of concern over his stats at the Bridge. The interim manager has just won 1 game in the last 7 games in home soil – a stat which doesn’t look good, especially if you are an Chelsea manager. 

Meanwhile Arsenal are yet to pick up 3 points in the league after the turn of the New year and stand 6th in the table with 34 points, 8 points behind their opponents. Though they have a game in hand, Arsenal are way off the pace for the 4th place finish when compared to last year. 3 points against Chelsea could be pivotal to their cause as they will get back into a striking position to fight for the Champions league spot. 

Can Terry and Lampard make the difference today ?

With all the defensive lapses in the recent weeks without their captain John Terry, it may not be a surprise if Bentiez opts to start with him as the England International is available for selection after returning from the treatment table. After a slight dip in form from the start of the season, Hazard has started to click again and his combinational play with Mata will have to be closely watched by the Gunners. A Chelsea win tonight means they will hold their position firm at the 3rd place leaving Tottenham, Arsenal and Everton to fight for the final Champions league place. 

Rafa Benitez was confident ahead of the game, speaking to the press he said:

“We cannot be happy drawing at home. The next game has to be totally different. We have to think how we can improve on the next one. It is analysing and trying to coach the players in the right way. We know the problems we have when other teams are well organised.”

This is the best available squad that Arsene Wenger has at his disposal and will not be making severe changes to his line-up from the team that faced Swansea in the FA cup replay last Wednesday. Influential winger Theo Walcott has extended his contract with Arsenal and will be looking to get on the score sheets immediately much like his opposite number Demba Ba who has come in to the side directly replacing Fernando Torres. Both Chelsea and Arsenal played an additional fixture this week and there will be some tired legs out there making an already tough fixture tougher. 

Watch-out for the speedster
Watch-out for the speedster

Arsenal simple cannot afford to lose this fixture as they will lose hold on their Champions league dream allowing Chelsea to further pull away. Chelsea and Rafa Benitez will also be aware of their recent dismal home form and cannot afford to continue disappointing the Stamford Bridge faithful. 

Arsene Wnger played a little mind game with Benitez during his press conference, he said: 

“I feel sympathy for every manager until the day I play against him. We are all in the same position. We know we are in a fragile job and that the confidence is very important. It’s a job where you have to take care of your own team. But the confidence of the crowd in the team plays a big part. Let’s not hope on any weakness of Chelsea. Let’s focus on our strength. You want to go there and be at your best. That’s all you can do. “

Team News And Injury News:

Chelsea will continue to miss Victor Moses and John Obi Mikel who are on International duty playing in the AFCON. Oriol Romeu will continue his rehabilitation work and is not available for the remainder of the season. Tough John Terry may not be fully fit, it is rumoured that Benitez may risk it and select the influentianl captain ahead of Cahill.

As for as Arsenal are concerned, they are still missing out on Mikel Arteta due to his hamstring concerns. About Diaby who started as his replacement against City last week is expected to get a nod again.  Tomas Rosicky will remain absent due to his calf injuries.

Probable Line-ups:

Chelsea: Cech; Azpilicueta, Cahill/Terry, Ivanovic, Cole; Luiz, Lampard; Mata, Hazard, Oscar; Ba 

Arsenal: Szczesny; Sagna, Koscielny, Mertesacker, Gibbs; Wilshere, Diaby, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Cazorla, Podolski; Walcott

Recent form

Chelsea: WWLWD 

Arsenal: WWWDL

Match Facts:

  • Arsenal have won away at Stamford Bridge more often than any other Premier League side (seven times) and scored more goals (27).
  • When Arsenal won 5-3 away at Chelsea last season, they became the first and only away team to net five times in a Premier League match at Stamford Bridge.
  • Demba Ba scored two goals in his final match for Newcastle before signing for Chelsea and they came against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on December 29th.
  • Theo Walcott scored his first ever goal for Arsenal against Chelsea when he netted in the 2007 League Cup final.
  • Arsenal have fewer points this season after 21 games than in any previous Premier League campaign under Arsene Wenger.
  • The Gunners have lost just three of their last 19 Premier League away matches (W9 D7 L3) and are unbeaten in the last five (W2 D3 L0).
  • Arsenal have scored more goals (9) in the final 10 minutes of games this season than any other team in the top flight.
  • The Blues scored two goals from just three shots on target in their 2-1 against Arsenal at the Emirates earlier this season.
  • Rafa Benitez’s home record in games as an opposition coach against Arsene Wenger with Valencia and Liverpool is (W5 D2 L3).
  • Chelsea got fewer points from London derbies than any capital club last season (8), but have already matched that tally this season.
  • Chelsea have won only one of their last seven Premier League home games.

Prediction: 2-1 win for the home side.

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