Arsenal vs Chelsea predictions: Cagey clash expected at the Emirates
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- Arsenal have the best defence in the Premier League
- Chelsea's last three games have produced just five goals
- Recommended bet: Under 2.5 goals
Both Arsenal and Chelsea were in continental action in the week but neither had particularly arduous tasks in their second legs.
Having eased to a 7-1 win in Eindhoven earlier this month, Arsenal made changes for the second leg of their Champions League last-16 clash with PSV, which finished 2-2 at the Emirates Stadium.
Chelsea defended a much more slender lead when they welcomed Copenhagen to Stamford Bridge in the Conference League on Thursday but nonetheless ran out 3-1 winners on aggregate.
They must now turn their attention back to Premier League football with Arsenal clinging onto second spot and Chelsea looking to remain on track for the top four.
Team news
Arsenal's attack remains dulled by the absence of Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus, while Raheem Sterling is ineligible to face his parent club and Takehiro Tomiyasu is also sidelined.
Gabriel Martinelli could, however, start after coming off the bench against Manchester United.
Chelsea have several players out too with Nicolas Jackson, Marc Guiu, Noni Madueke and Omari Kellyman sidelined and Mykhaylo Mudryk suspended.
The stats
Despite their recent struggles, Arsenal still have the best defence in the Premier League this season with just 24 goals conceded in 28 matches.
Under 2.5 goals has been a winner in five of their last seven assignments.
Chelsea's recent fixtures have also been pretty tight with four of their last five matches having been settled by single-goal margins.
The Blues will go into the game in confident mood, though, having reeled off four straight wins in all competitions.
Prediction
Arsenal have had the better of Chelsea in recent meetings, winning four and drawing two of their last six meetings with their London rivals.
But all is not well in the Gunners' camp at the moment, despite their progression to a blockbuster Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid.
In the Premier League, the title race has evaporated in front of their eyes and Mikel Arteta could not hide his frustration in last week's 1-1 draw with Manchester United in which the club's obvious need for attacking quality was laid bare.
Winless in three league fixtures, the Gunners will now be focused on simply keeping hold of a top-four berth and punters should not rush to back them against the Blues.
But Chelsea have had their own issues in front of goal with laboured 1-0 wins over underwhelming Leicester and Copenhagen teams in their last two games.
They have won four games on the spin but they have faced two clubs in relegation danger and another which has failed to impress on the continent.
Three of those games were settled by one-goal margins and with so much attacking quality missing from these two sides this weekend, the best bet is under 2.5 goals.
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