Categories
Soccer

Chelsea vs. Arsenal EPL Preview & Free Picks

Matt Martz takes a look at Saturday’s Barclays Premier League Fixture between Chelsea vs. Arsenal. Plus check out the winning prediction for English soccer, and live betting lines…

Chelsea vs. Arsenal EPL 2011 Betting Picks + Odds

This Saturday we’ll see two bitter, cross town rivals square off in London as Chelsea hosts Arsenal in their first meeting of the season.   
When: Saturday, 7:45 EST
Where: Stamford Bridge, London
TV: ESPN 2
LINE: Chelsea (-161), Arsenal (+425), Tie (+280)

It seems as though this Arsenal side have finally gotten back into form. They have now reeled off four straight wins in all competitions, including a midweek win in the League Cup against the Bolton Wanderers, 2-1.

However, the Gunners aren’t the only side coming off of a midweek win, but Chelsea haven’t looked the part lately. They needed extra time, and a few lucky breaks to beat Everton a couple of days ago. Their last league match was even worse as they failed to secure even one point against newly promoted Queens Park.

Still, Chelsea will still be the heavy favorites going into this clash, and rightfully so. They are 4-0-0 in home Premier League matches this season. All but one of those were by multiple goals, so it’s safe to say they have been taking care of their home field so far.

Meanwhile, Arsenal have failed to win away from home this season. They have had three losses and one draw in their four away fixtures in league play, including an 8-2 drubbing in Manchester against the Red Devils.

If those stats weren’t enough, Arsenal are going to be short three regulars in their upcoming derby clash.    [ad-3678122]

Bacary Sagna, Jack Wilshere, and Kieran Gibbs will all miss this one due to injury. A tough trio to overcome for any side, much less an Arsenal club that just can’t do anything on the road.

On the other side, Chelsea will be without Ivorian striker Didier Drogba due to a suspension after he picked up a red card in his last appearance leaving the two players most likely to score in this one being Chelsea’s Daniel Sturridge and Arsenal’s Robin Van Persie. Sturridge has racked up four goals in his last five matches, while Van Persie has tallied four goals in his last three with a couple of doubles.

Chelsea currently sit at third in the table with 19 points. While Arsenal are a bit lower on the totem pole at seventh with 13 points. There is a lot of ground to be made up here if the Gunners can do the unthinkable.

While Arsenal leads the all-time series between the two with a 225 to 189 point advantage in 153 matches played. Chelsea has won five of the last six match-ups between the two.

Arsenal won the most recent clash though 3-1 in December.

The home side has won the last three matches in this fixture.

Prediction: Chelsea 2:1 Arsenal –
Arsenal have been in better form as of late, but it is hard to overlook their play on the road so far this season. This is the only reason that I feel Chelsea will win this one outright, but not before Arsenal puts a good scare into them. Wouldn’t be surprised to see the Gunners get off of the mark early in this one. If this one were in front of the Arsenal faithful, I could see this going very differently. Until they get it done on the road however, I just can’t back them.

By Cappers Picks

Articles on CappersPicks.com are written by Q (the Head Honcho) at Cappers Picks or by our resident "in house" handicapper Razor Ray Monohan! Enjoy the free picks folks! "Pad that bankroll one day at a time!"