Two of the biggest rivals in the English game are set to face one another, London rivals Chelsea hot Arsenal at Stamford Bridge but unlike earlier times when these clubs would face each other at the top of the table, this fixture has a lot riding for both teams as they try to fix their rather unexpected starts to the season.
Although Arsenal have picked up pace since their loss to West Ham, the Gunners come into this game on the back of a defeat in the UEFA Champions League against Dinamo Zagreb, the Gunners also would have expected more from Olivier Giroud as he was sent off against the Croatian outfit. Arsenal though are unbeaten in their last four Premier League games, Chelsea though are in a much worse situation, in the Premier League at least.
Chelsea are lying just above the relegation zone and have only four points from five Premier League games. The Champions have had the worst start to a league season in almost 30 years but won their last game in the Champions League with a convincing 4-0 result against a hapless Maccabi Tel-Aviv side. In the corresponding fixture last season, Chelsea won the game 2-0 thanks to goals from Eden Hazard and Diego Costa.
Two rivals struggling but what can we expect from the game
Chelsea have had a rather poor start to the season and need to get back on the winning track in the Premier League at least, the Blues would probably be starting with some of the players they rested in their last game but the likes of Baba Rahman should start the game in place of Branislav Ivanovic, after a poor start to the season by the Serbian.
John Terry as well should come into the game, especially for his big match experience and Diego Costa should be the striker leading the line for the Blues as he got off the mark for Chelsea in the Champions League since he signed for them last season. The one player who has completely been out of form is Eden Hazard, the player of the season last time around hasn’t done anything worth noting in this season and him playing up to his potential is an important factor if Chelsea are to do well in the game.
Arsenal would be hoping that their firepower gets them through to victory, this is the best chance the Gunners have of winning at their rival’s home and they will be hoping that the likes of Sanchez and Walcott can fire them for the victory.
Arsenal and Chelsea have a lot to lose if either one of them slips up during the game, Chelsea might seem to be the club that needs the points more but the losses in the Premier League could play at the back of their minds. Arsenal, though, should go into the game as favourites but, you can never predict what can happen in a derby.
The Blues need a result and this could be a really cagey game if Chelsea can control the game from the off, however if Arsenal do score the first goal, it could lead to a few strings being released and more attacking football being played by both teams. Either way, this is one of the most heated rivalries in the league and will be a great game for all to see, especially for the neutrals.