Chelsea (home)
- Chelsea have one win in their last five games (W1, D3, L1) and will be without key midfielder Moisés Caicedo through suspension.
- Chelsea are 5th with 31 points from 20 matches, 17 points behind their London rivals and a very average return from what has been a mixed campaign.
Arsenal (away)
- Arsenal have won three of their last five matches and have shown cup prowess in a 1-1 draw with Palace in the previous round, which they won on penalties.
- The Gunners are worthy favourites in this encounter at 2.45 - as opposed to 3.11 for Chelsea - as they have won three of their last five and sit atop the Premier League table with 48 points from 20 games (W15, D3, L2).
Head-to-Head
Chelsea have no wins in the last five competitive meetings with Arsenal ( Arsenal W2, D3, Chelsea W0 ).
Key Players
- Arsenal
- Bukayo Saka is Arsenal’s creative hub on the right and his pace, vision and end-product are so crucial to their play.
- Viktor Gyökeres provides a clinical edge to Arsenal’s attack and is among their top scorers this term.
- Chelsea
- Enzo Fernández has been dictating play, saving a point against Manchester City with a last-gasp equaliser and controlling the game in transitions.
- Trevoh Chalobah provides another set-piece and aerial threat, having scored in the reverse fixture, while Reece James provides leadership and quality delivery from the right.
- Chelsea lack that cutting edge and will have to rely on João Pedro to unlock the Arsenal defense.
Betting Insights
- The Gunners are worthy favourites in this encounter at 2.45 - as opposed to 3.11 for Chelsea.
- Chelsea will have some bounce from the new manager and home advantage, though, so we’re going to keep things close by backing Both Teams To Score at 2.08.
- A cool, possible showery night in London makes the set-pieces and second balls even more important.
Prediction
- The Carabao Cup semi-final first-leg at Stamford Bridge adds plenty of spice to this long-time London rivalry, but Arsenal are in much better form and should be able to take a lead back to the Emirates.
- The goal may come down to whichever team is better in the midfield battles and at second ball, which we feel is Arsenal.
