With a plot fit for the most epic of sport fiction novels, Chelsea’s highly anticipated match against Arsenal this Saturday is riddled with added intrigue, with the two title contenders set to slug it out on a backdrop of high emotion and drama.
Arsene Wenger’s 1000th game for Arsenal will be played out at Stamford Bridge of all places, with the ‘specialist in failure’ given the chance to silence his nemesis Jose Mourinho, the man who has never lost a league game at home for Chelsea.
A win for the Blues would effectively end Arsenal’s hopes of winning their first Premier League for a decade, while simultaneously consolidating Chelsea’s position as league leaders.
A game that will go a long way to deciding the race for the title, you can be sure that betting odds will fluctuate like mad at full time, with the top betting review websites set to prove their worth.
Jose Mourinho recognises his counterpart Wenger’s extraordinary achievement of reaching a century of games, and expressed his longing to emulate the Frenchman in this regard,
“If Chelsea gives me the chance to arrive to 1,000 matches I’ll be the happiest manager in the world,” the Chelsea boss told ‘the Independant’,
It was a difficult weekend of last for the Portuguese, who saw Chelsea’s fine run in the league come to an abrupt end last weekend against a plucky Aston Villa outfit, and has subsequently been charged by the FA for his eagerness to join the throng during Ramires’ punishment at the end of the game.
Such is the competition at the top of the table, the Blues now find themselves looking over their shoulder at the ominously placed Manchester City, who have three games in hand in fourth, only six points off the summit.
However, Mourinho’s side arguably have the best fixture list out of front-runners, with only a trip to fellow contenders Liverpool a tricky top-four clash following the game against the Gunners this weekend.
Chelsea Team News:
While Arsenal are currently in the throws of yet another injury crisis, Chelsea have two key players suspended from the defeat to Aston Villa last weekend, with the big match preview focusing on the collective list of absentees.
Willian and Ramires will play no part in proceedings, with the pair suspended after seeing red at Villa Park last time out.
David Luiz, who put in a barnstorming performance in the similarly big game against Manchester City last month, could start in midfield, with Frank Lampard afforded the 90 against former colleague Didier Drogba on Tuesday.
Andre Schurlle is most likely to deputise for Willian, with many Blues fans hoping to see Mohammed Salah introduced at some point in the game. Eden Hazard suffered a cut to his ankle in the win on Tuesday, but there is no word on lasting damage, and the Belgian should be fit to start.
Samuel Eto’o bagged a goal against Galatasaray, and looked sharp throughout, surely keeping him ahead of Fernando Torres and Demba Ba in the pecking order.
Predicted Starting Lineups:
Chelsea – Cech; Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta; Luiz, Matic; Schurrle, Oscar, Hazard; Eto’o
Arsenal -Szczesny; Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal; Flamini, Arteta; Oxlade-Chamberlain, Rosicky, Cazorla; Giroud
Prediction: 2-1 While the Gunners will give it a real goal, I can’t see a fairy-tale ending for Wenger at Stamford Bridge. Mourinho has home games down to a tee, and his cunning mix of consolidation, counter-attacking, and timely goal-scoring will surely see the Blues through.
