Arsenal vs Chelsea Betting Analysis

On Sunday afternoon <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />Chelsea can create history by winning a Premiership match at Highbury for the first time. Three points for the Blues would take them eight points clear at the top, and they are a best price 2/1 (Stan James) to achieve this.Apart from the midweek defeat in Portugal - a game of no importance - Chelsea have been in superb form, winning 12 of 16 Premiership matches, including 4-0 victories in the last two outings. No longer is there talk of boring Chelsea, and much of this is due to the attacking talents of Damien Duff and Arjen Robben, who are terrorising defences across Europe. Factor in a watertight back five, a combative midfield and Didier Drogba upfront and all the ingredients are there for a title winning team. Arsenal may have done the double over Chelsea last season, and also knocked them out of the FA Cup, but they did lose at Highbury in a crucial Champions League quarterfinal. The Champions are also not playing as well as last season, and with Patrick Vieira suspended, they will be without their most influential player. In addition Arsene Wenger has a serious problem in whom to choose as goalkeeper. Jens Lehman is low on confidence, and his replacement has hardly covered himself in glory. While Arsenal have slipped back, Chelsea are improving with each game and so at 2/1 are well worth backing to inflict Arsenal's third defeat of the season. The Gunners did score a handsome win in midweek, but it should be remember that victory came against a far inferior team. As always with any high profile match in the Premiership, the bookings market will be a popular port of call. Already marked as one of the spicier fixtures on the calendar, this season's version has some added zest with Chelsea a genuine contender to win the title. In charge at Highbury will be the experienced Graham Poll, who is averaging around three cards a game. That said on his last trip to Islington back in October, the Tring official cautioned six players.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />