Stamford Bridge, West London.
It will be a titans' clash this Super Sunday as Chelsea welcome Arsenal FC to Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea, currently on the summit of the Premier League with two points clear from current champions Manchester United host Arsenal FC who're on the third spot trailing to Manchester United by three points.
Recently, Chelsea showed a weak performance with a 1-1 draw against strugglers Hull City and Arsenal, too, have been thrashed by Manchester United 3-1 at Home.
Chelsea are on a strong home form winning 11 out of 12 home fixtures, but, Arsenal's away form can not be ignored as well. Arsenal have won 15 out of 24 total fixtures played this year and lost only 5 , but, The Blues haven't lost a game on home ground till date in this season. Bookies, as of now, have Chelsea as the favourites for the win.
TEAM NEWS:
CHELSEA:
With John Terry being almost out of the game regarding his personal affairs that may cost him his English captaincy, Chelsea will be quite distracted and this was seen at the KC Stadium where they could only manage a draw against Hull City with a Didier Drogba free kick. Michael Essien, Juliano Belletti and Jose Bosingwa still remain absent in the fixture owing to their respective injuries.
Didier Drogba is still in top form as he scored 15 goals already this season and mostly from set-pieces. But the Chelsea defense still remains a question as The Blues lack key players in their defensive system and Ancelotti believes that they may need some re-inforcements. "We know about it. I know very well how many goals we have (conceded) from set pieces," Ancelotti said to Sky Sports.
Frank Lampard has proved to show a great form at Chelsea this season with scoring 11 goals and 9 assists it has been a dream-season for the Blues' midfielder. Other players worth watching in this fixtures from the Italian boss' side will be Nicolas Anelka, Florent Malouda and Alex Dimond.
ARSENAL:
A really poor performance by Arsene Wenger's side against Manchester United at The Emirates and the same-margin defeat against Stoke City really produce doubts for The Gunners at The Stamford Bridge. With their main striker Robin Van Persie still being out because of his ankle injury, Arsene Wenger may well again put up Nicklas Bendtner or Tomas Rosicky in the attack. But, Arsenal's away form, which has been way too good than their home form, gives them a benefit of doubt.
The Gunners' skipper Cesc Fabregas has nothing more he could prove this season. With leading the Actim Index, scoring 11 goals and assisting 13 as well, he is in formidable form. Thomas Vermalean is another player the French Boss could be proud of this season. He has been a striker in disguise and means to Arsenal what Sergio Ramos and Roberto Carlos to Real Madrid and Patrice Evra is to Manchester United.
Other Arsenal players that could be notable this game would be Andrei Arshavin, Samir Nasri and Denilson.
FORM GUIDE:
CHELSEA
Feb 02: Hull City 1-1 Chelsea
Jan 30: Burnley 1-2 Chelsea
Jan 27: Chelsea 3-0 Birmingham City
Jan 23: Preston 0-2 Chelsea (FA Cup)
Jan 16: Chelsea 7-2 Sunderland
ARSENAL
Jan 31: Arsenal 1-3 Manchester United
Jan 27: Aston Villa 0-0 Arsenal
Jan 24: Stoke City 3-1 Arsenal (FA Cup)
Jan 20: Arsenal 4-2 Bolton Wanderers
Jan 17: Bolton Wanderers 0-2 Arsenal
PREDICTION
The History says it. Out of the last five games Arsenal played at The Bridge, they have managed to win only one and draw two. With a clear victory for The Blues at The Emirates this season with a splendid margin of three goals to nil, Chelsea remain clear favourites for this game. Chelsea still maintain their lead over Manchester United even if they lose the fixture, but it may cost them the title, whereas for Arsenal, it will be a must-win, if they wish to lower the gap to the summit of the table.
MY PREDICTION: CHELSEA 2-1 ARSENAL
-PRANAV MUKUL
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