Arsenal vs Chelsea Betting Tips

Following United's victory in the Manchester derby yesterday, Chelsea simply have to beat Arsenal at the Emirates on Sunday, and even then their hopes of winning the title for the third successive season largely depend on whether relegation-threatened West Ham can beat the Red Devils next weekend. Chelsea beat the Gunners in their own backyard for the first time since the inception of the Premiership last term, a match they won 0-2 courtesy of goals from Arjen Robben and Joe Cole. However, much will depend on their state of mind going into this game. Indeed, the Blues' players must surely realise - as must the self proclaimed 'special one', manager Jose Mourinho - that the horse appears to have bolted; and they only have themselves to blame, for they have drawn their last two league fixtures, against Newcastle and Bolton. Furthermore, the south west London side will be nursing open wounds following yet another Champions League exit at the semi-final stage - and at the hands of their European nemesis, Liverpool, for the second time in the past three seasons. It's gotta hurt! Michael Ballack has been ruled out of their first visit to the Emirates following ankle surgery, while defender Ricardo Carvalho, who has emerged as a key player alongside John Terry in defence, is still recovering from a knee injury and is unlikely to take part. Andriy Shevchenko is also on the easy list at present with a groin injury. Arsenal, meanwhile, continue to soldier on without star strikers Thierry Henry and Robin van Persie, not to mention young gun Theo Walcott, and midfielder Freddie Ljungberg's rotten luck continues with a hamstring problem keeping him on the sidelines. But, despite their lack of firepower, Arsenal are pulling results out of the hat - and scoring a fair share of goals. Arsene Wenger's men are unbeaten in five subsequent to incurring their first defeat at Ashburton Grove when turned over by West Ham. The north Londoners have won their last three at home, scoring eight in the process. One thing you cannot crib about Arsenal, for all that they are frustratingly inconsistent, is their resolve - they keep going right until the death. This is backed up by the stats: Arsenal have scored 21 goals in the last 15 minutes of their league fixtures this season - more than an any other club. And they have beaten the other two members of the quarter that is the 'big 4', Man Utd and Liverpool, at home already in the league during the current campaign. Of course, Chelsea beat Arsenal in a grand battle between the two sides in the Carling Cup Final and, to their immense credit, their 0-1 defeat against Liverpool at Anfield in midweek was their first reverse in 24. But, it could be argued, the home side even more to play for than their rivals in this clash as they could snatch third from Liverpool. With this in mind, I am tempted to back Arsenal to win at what looks to me to be a pretty generous 15/8 with Skybet. If Chelsea throw the kitchen sink at Arsenal, they'll be caught on the counter by an Arsenal side so adept at absorbing pressure before punishing their rivals in the blink of an eye. And with Carvalho absent, the Blues look vulnerable at the back. It's likely that this game will take shape in the second half and, if anything, I could see Arsenal doing what they do best and snatching a late winner. I'm pretty sure it'll be 0-0 when the ref blows his whistle for the end of the first half, so the 8/5 on offer with expekt about a half-time stalemate looks a good insurance policy to my mind. Verdict2pts Arsenal to win @ 15/8 (Skybet)3.25pts 0-0 in the half-time correct score market @ 8/5 (expekt)