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Played
January 20, 2013 3:30 PM SAST
Stamford Bridge — London
Referee: M. Atkinson
Attendance: 41784
January 20, 2013 3:30 PM SAST
Stamford Bridge — London
Referee: M. Atkinson
Attendance: 41784
Chelsea - Arsenal Preview: Benitez's side looking to halt Stamford Bridge woes
The Blues have been horribly out of form at home recently, and take on a Gunners team that will be eager to close the gap on their rivals for a Champions League spot
By Ewan Roberts
Getty Images
| PROBABLE LINEUPS |
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CHELSEA
 Cech Azpilicueta, Ivanovic, Luiz, Cole Ramires, Lampard Oscar, Mata, Hazard Ba |
ARSENAL
 Szczesny Sagna, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Gibbs Wilshere, Diaby Oxlade-Chamberlain, Cazorla, Podolski Walcott |
Chelsea have an almost fully fit squad to choose from, with Oriol Romeu (knee) the only long-term absentee. John Terry has returned to fitness but is unlikely to start.
Nigerian duo Victor Moses and John Obi Mikel have both travelled to South Africa for the Africa Cup of Nations so are unavailable for selection.
Branislav Ivanovic was rested against Southampton but should return to the starting XI in place of Gary Cahill, while Demba Ba is expected to continue up front.
Arsene Wenger is still without Mikel Arteta (calf), who has been sidelined until the end of the month, so Abou Diaby is likely to continue in midfield in his absence.
Laurent Koscielny has served the one-match suspension he picked up against Manchester City, and could return to defence ahead of Per Mertesacker.
Gervinho is on Africa Cup of Nations duty with the Ivory Coast, while Tomas Rosicky (calf) has been ruled out of Sunday’s derby.
| DID YOU KNOW? |
Chelsea have won just one of their last seven league games at Stamford Bridge – their worst run at home since 1995.
- It took Fernando Torres 25 appearances to score three goals for Chelsea, whereas Demba Ba managed that tally in just four games.
- Chelsea have been awarded seven penalties and scored six, more than any other side; while only two officials have pointed to the spot more often than Sunday’s referee Martin Atkinson.
- No player has assisted more goals (eight) than Juan Mata (pictured right); the Spaniard has also scored seven goals. He is 8/5 to score anytime against Arsenal with bet365.
- The Blues have picked up more bookings for simulation (five) than any other side.
- Arsenal have fewer points this season (34) after 21 games than in any previous campaign under Arsene Wenger.
- No team has averaged more possession on the road than Arsenal (59.8 per cent) or averaged more short passes per game (531).
- The Gunners have a league win percentage of just 14.28% without Mikel Arteta, winning once, drawing three and losing three.
- The north London club have only lost once this season against teams from the capital, a 2-1 defeat to Chelsea at the Emirates in September.
- When Arsenal beat Chelsea 5-3 in the respective fixture last season, they became the first and only away side to strike five times in a Premier League match at Stamford Bridge.
Field Report
Reader's Predictions
Top 3 Predictions
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Chelsea FC 3-1 Arsenal
- 12.88 %
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Chelsea FC 2-1 Arsenal
- 12.56 %
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Chelsea FC 1-2 Arsenal
- 10.57 %
| England - Premier League (EPL) | 20 Jan 2013 | Chelsea FC 2 - Arsenal 1 |
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| England - Premier League (EPL) | 29 Sep 2012 | Arsenal 1 - Chelsea FC 2 |
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| England - Premier League (EPL) | 21 Apr 2012 | Arsenal 0 - Chelsea FC 0 |
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| England - Premier League (EPL) | 29 Oct 2011 | Chelsea FC 3 - Arsenal 5 |
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| England - Premier League (EPL) | 27 Dec 2010 | Arsenal 3 - Chelsea FC 1 |
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Chelsea FC
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| 24 May 2013 | Chelsea FC 3 - Manchester City 4 | FR |
| 19 May 2013 | Chelsea FC 2 - Everton 1 | EPL |
| 15 May 2013 | Benfica 1 - Chelsea FC 2 | EL |
| 11 May 2013 | Aston Villa 1 - Chelsea FC 2 | EPL |
| 08 May 2013 | Chelsea FC 2 - Tottenham 2 | EPL |
Arsenal
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| 19 May 2013 | Newcastle United 0 - Arsenal 1 | EPL |
| 14 May 2013 | Arsenal 4 - Wigan Athletic 1 | EPL |
| 04 May 2013 | QPR 0 - Arsenal 1 | EPL |
| 28 Apr 2013 | Arsenal 1 - Manchester United 1 | EPL |
| 20 Apr 2013 | Fulham 0 - Arsenal 1 | EPL |
| 1 | Petr Cech | Goalkeeper |
| 2 | Branislav Ivanovic | Defender |
| 3 | Ashley Cole | Defender |
| 24 | Gary Cahill | Defender |
| 28 | César Azpilicueta | Defender |
| 7 | Ramires | Midfielder |
| 8 | Frank Lampard | Midfielder |
| 11 | Oscar | Midfielder |
| 17 | Eden Hazard | Midfielder |
| 9 | Fernando Torres | Striker |
| 10 | Juan Mata | Striker |
| 22 | Ross Turnbull | Goalkeeper |
| 19 | Paulo Ferreira | Defender |
| 26 | John Terry | Defender |
| 34 | Ryan Bertrand | Defender |
| - | Nathan Ake | Defender |
| 21 | Marko Marin | Midfielder |
| 29 | Demba Ba | Striker |
| 13 | Wojciech Szczesny | Goalkeeper |
| 3 | Bacary Sagna | Defender |
| 4 | Per Mertesacker | Defender |
| 5 | Thomas Vermaelen | Defender |
| 28 | Kieran Gibbs | Defender |
| 2 | A. Diaby | Midfielder |
| 10 | Jack Wilshere | Midfielder |
| 19 | Santi Cazorla | Midfielder |
| 35 | Francis Coquelin | Midfielder |
| 12 | Olivier Giroud | Striker |
| 14 | Theo Walcott | Striker |
| 24 | Vito Mannone | Goalkeeper |
| 6 | Laurent Koscielny | Defender |
| 27 | Andre Santos | Defender |
| 25 | Carl Jenkinson | Defender |
| 16 | Aaron Ramsey | Midfielder |
| 23 | Andrey Arshavin | Midfielder |
| 35 | Emmanuel Frimpong | Midfielder |
Results
Times In SAST
Live
Final
scheduled
Suspended
Cancelled
Postponed
Match News
Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
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Robin van Persie Striker Man Utd |
26 | 3 |
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Luis Suárez Striker LFC |
23 | 0 |
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Gareth Bale Midfielder Tottenham |
21 | 0 |
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C. Benteke Striker Aston Villa |
19 | 3 |
|
Michu Midfielder Swansea City |
19 | 0 |