London Derby: Chelsea vs. Arsenal Preview, Odds and Prediction

The English Premier League continues quickly after this weekend’s battles. We have a new batch of games scheduled for this midweek, and the biggest among them is the London Derby between Chelsea and Arsenal. If you remember, this matchup was on the first day of the New Year, and Chelsea won it on the road. How time flies fast.

Preview

Chelsea

The Blues (-134) were knocked out in Newcastle on Saturday, following a last-second goal delivered by the Magpies, who definitely didn’t deserve to win that one. Lampard’s boys were better and tried to score a goal, while on the other side, Newcastle defended throughout the majority of the match, and with a massive dose of luck, took all three points.

It was the first loss after a four-game defeatless skid that saw the Blues winning three times and drawing once. In all three wins, Chelsea netted twice, and even though their efficiency isn’t as it used to be at the start of the season, it is most definitely that Lampard’s team has one of the most potent attacks in the Premiership. They might be in a bit of a crisis, but still, goals are coming, which couldn’t be said for the overall efficiency of their contests. In the past eight, only two saw over 2.5.

Unfortunately, the fans in the USA are not going to see Christain Pulisic who picked up an injury and won’t be available for this clash.

Arsenal

The Gunners (+145) are looking better than before, but truth to be told, apart from beating Manchester United, we haven’t seen anything impressive at all. And you know, beating Solskjaer’s crew these days isn’t anything special. They have two consecutive draws, and while the one against Crystal Palace on the road wasn’t that disappointing, the one versus Sheffield United at Emirates definitely seemed like a massive failure.

Arsenal was up until the 83rd minute, when John Fleck leveled the score, delivering another dose of frustration to all of the home team’s fans. They, too, played six of the previous eight matches with under 2.5 goals, with the note that past four on the road saw draws.

Do know that Arsenal has massive problems with injuries and that the majority of defense isn’t going to play. Kolasinac, Tierney, Sokratis, etc.

Head to Head

Chelsea is confident against Arsenal at home in recent seasons. Since 2011, the Blues didn’t lose the London Derby at home, posting six triumphs and two defeats. In all the wins, the Blues netted twice or more.

Prediction

Our hunch here tells us to go with Chelsea, but knowing their mentality and affection towards oscillating, we aren’t going to risk anything. What seems to be a better solution in this event is to bet on goals. Both teams to score is something inevitable here. The defenses of both the Blues and the Gunners, are more than fragile, while on the other side, their attacks are quite solid.

This imbalance should bring goals this Tuesday night at Stamford, and our suggestion here would be both sides to score and over 2.5 goals. The odds are at -105, which is a nice bargain in this case. If you want to risk, go with Chelsa and Over 2.5 goals for +150.

Pick. BTTS & Over 2.5 goals, -105