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Chelsea - Arsenal Special: What are the odds of Gunners old boys destroying Wenger's title dream?
Goal.com previews mouth watering clash and picks out a few bets to wager on....
5 Feb 2010 13:00:00
By Patrick Reilly, Goal.com Betting Editor
Goal.com has teamed up with Titan Bet for an exclusive partnership offering fans the best analysis and odds for the biggest games. We start our exclusive content with Sunday's London derby between bitter rivals Chelsea and Arsenal.
The Premier League's most open title race in years could swing pivotally in one direction come Sunday night after Chelsea and Arsenal meet at Stamford Bridge. Lob in a local derby and plenty of bad blood between ex-players and we have quite an afternoon in store.
Drogba's strike partner Nicolas Anelka has an enviable scoring record against all of his previous English clubs with 19 goals in total. He even scored the winner for Manchester City against his current club back in 2004, inflicting the Blues only defeat in their first title winning season.
For all you stattos out there, Anelka's goal record against his ex-clubs is as follows: Arsenal (7), Bolton (3), Liverpool (5) and Man City (3).
Former Arsenal favourite Ashley Cole will no doubt be targeted by the away support. The full-back isn't known for his goals but has chipped in with three already this season. His temperament is suspect though, with 46 bookings in his career, do don't be surprised if the England international sees a card on Sunday.
The Gunners will be hoping to avoid a dose of deja vu after the thumping they received by a Drogba inspired Chelsea side last year. After that November defeat Arsenal went on a ten match unbeaten run which was brought to a shuddering halt by Manchester United last weekend.
A win on Sunday against their fierce foes is an absolute necessity if they want to remain in title contention. Let's not forget their last trophy came in 2005.
William Gallas will be another to renew acquaintances on Sunday afternoon. The Frenchman won two titles wearing blue but left amidst controversy in 2006 as part of the deal which brought Ashley Cole across London.
Arsenal's number 10 has a decent goal record for a defender scoring 24 times in his Premier League career, including a headed winner against Chelsea in 2007. Fourteen of his goals have come inside the six-yard-box so keep an eye on him from set-pieces.
For the purists it's a fabulous contest in store. The league's top scorers are visiting the side with the second meanest defence (behind Aston Villa) while three of the top five players in the Actim Index are sure to feature. Actim analyses every single detail of a player's contribution to the game with Cesc Fabregas currently leading followed by Nicolas Anelka with Didier Drogba in fifth.
Arsenal will want revenge having conceded seven goals against Chelsea in their last two matches. The Blues meanwhile will be eager to reassert their authority having been turned over at home by the Gunners last season.
It's all geared up to be a classic but then again that's what we said last November!
Chelsea to repeat November 3-0 win: 12/1
Arsenal to repeat last season's 2-1 win: 15/1
The Premier League's most open title race in years could swing pivotally in one direction come Sunday night after Chelsea and Arsenal meet at Stamford Bridge. Lob in a local derby and plenty of bad blood between ex-players and we have quite an afternoon in store.
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Chelsea Title Odds: 4/7, Arsenal Title Odds: 10/1
Carlo Ancelotti's side boast the best home record in the league, winning 11 out of 12 matches at Stamford Bridge and the Italian has a few aces up his sleeve who are used to dishing out the punishment to the Gunners.
Chelsea to go season unbeaten at home: Yes 8/11, No 1/1
Step forward Didier Drogba and Arsenal old boy Nicolas Anelka who between them have netted 12 league goals against Arsene Wenger's side. Drogba has been the tormentor-in-chief, scoring a remarkable 10 goals in his last 11 games against the Gunners including a double in the 2007 Carling Cup final, the winner in last year's F.A. Cup semi-final and a brace in Chelsea's 3-0 November masterclass at the Emirates.
Drogba's strike partner Nicolas Anelka has an enviable scoring record against all of his previous English clubs with 19 goals in total. He even scored the winner for Manchester City against his current club back in 2004, inflicting the Blues only defeat in their first title winning season.
For all you stattos out there, Anelka's goal record against his ex-clubs is as follows: Arsenal (7), Bolton (3), Liverpool (5) and Man City (3).
Former Arsenal favourite Ashley Cole will no doubt be targeted by the away support. The full-back isn't known for his goals but has chipped in with three already this season. His temperament is suspect though, with 46 bookings in his career, do don't be surprised if the England international sees a card on Sunday.
The Gunners will be hoping to avoid a dose of deja vu after the thumping they received by a Drogba inspired Chelsea side last year. After that November defeat Arsenal went on a ten match unbeaten run which was brought to a shuddering halt by Manchester United last weekend.
A win on Sunday against their fierce foes is an absolute necessity if they want to remain in title contention. Let's not forget their last trophy came in 2005.
William Gallas will be another to renew acquaintances on Sunday afternoon. The Frenchman won two titles wearing blue but left amidst controversy in 2006 as part of the deal which brought Ashley Cole across London.
Arsenal's number 10 has a decent goal record for a defender scoring 24 times in his Premier League career, including a headed winner against Chelsea in 2007. Fourteen of his goals have come inside the six-yard-box so keep an eye on him from set-pieces.
For the purists it's a fabulous contest in store. The league's top scorers are visiting the side with the second meanest defence (behind Aston Villa) while three of the top five players in the Actim Index are sure to feature. Actim analyses every single detail of a player's contribution to the game with Cesc Fabregas currently leading followed by Nicolas Anelka with Didier Drogba in fifth.
Arsenal will want revenge having conceded seven goals against Chelsea in their last two matches. The Blues meanwhile will be eager to reassert their authority having been turned over at home by the Gunners last season.
It's all geared up to be a classic but then again that's what we said last November!
Chelsea to repeat November 3-0 win: 12/1
Arsenal to repeat last season's 2-1 win: 15/1
| Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game |
|
| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
|
| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
| Sign up with Paddy Power - Bet £10, Get £20! |
|
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