Chelsea vs Arsenal Predictions

• Arsenal are unbeaten in their last six trips to Stamford Bridge with three wins and three draws
• Arsenal have won four of their six Premier League away games this term
• Chelsea have lost two of their last four home league games

Arsenal are an awkward prospect for anyone

Arsenal have a big chance of stretching their lead at the top of the Premier League when they face second-placed Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday. The Gunners remain in superb form and, although the Blues deservedly beat Barcelona 3-0 at home this week, they have found Mikel Arteta’s men much harder to combat.

Barca give good opponents a chance because they risk a bit at the back by pushing their full backs forward and can be undone by quick, vertical transitions. Arsenal are much more circumspect, particularly away from home and even more so against title rivals like Manchester City and Liverpool.

Chelsea would like to think they come into that category as the nearest current challengers, but the six-point gap could widen this weekend.

Palmer’s return may help Gunners

Cole Palmer is available again after injury, but it may unbalance Chelsea to a certain extent if Enzo Maresca chooses to include the England star from the start. The Blues have kept four clean sheets in their last five games with hard-working wingers like Pedro Neto, Alejandro Garnacho and Estevao shuttling back to help out.

Palmer would do the same if he was restored to the line-up, but he might not be as devastating in transition from those deep positions as the player he replaces. He has other qualities to offer, but there is no getting away from the fact that his production had dropped off from those unsustainable levels of last season.

Meanwhile, former Chelsea winger Noni Madueke continues to shine for Arsenal, who may keep him on the bench as a late impact substitute on Sunday. Eberechi Eze is in scintillating form and the likes of Piero Hincapie and Christhian Mosquera have provided ample cover for key centre-back Gabriel.

Shooting star Saka in the mood to score 

Arsenal have conceded only six top-flight goals all season and it is their defensive qualities that are probably going to propel them to the title as things stand. After almost a third of the campaign, the Gunners’ expected goals against is 6.1, which compares very favourably to their final xGA of 34.4 last season, which was still the best in the Premier League.

The Gunners have been spreading their goals around this term, but Bukayo Saka may be their most likely marksman against Chelsea. The right winger has registered multiple shots in four of his last five Premier League games, scoring a goal in their recent 2-2 draw at Sunderland.

The England star has bagged in four of his last eight games for club and country and tends to rise to big occasions like these – a London derby between the top two. Back Saka to score in an Arsenal win, which could see both teams score given Chelsea’s attacking prowess.