Arsenal
Arsenal vs. Chelsea: Visitors ‘expected to edge’ London derby
The newly-appointed Arsenal manager and former player Mikel Arteta will take charge of his first home game against Chelsea on Sunday (14:00 GMT).
His first game in charge since leaving his post as Manchester City‘s assistant manager ended in a 1-1 draw at Bournemouth on Boxing Day, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scoring the first goal of his new manager’s reign.
Chelsea, meanwhile, suffered a fourth defeat in five home league games in a surprising 2-0 loss to Southampton.
The Blues have performed better on the road this season, though, picking up 18 points in nine league games.
The Gunners have failed to win their past five league games at the Emirates, meanwhile, which is an alarming record Arteta must quickly rectify if they are to have any chance of finishing in the top four.
With these records in mind, it’s perhaps unsurprising that Chelsea have been made favourites for this match.
Frank Lampard’s side are 11/8 to gain a crucial three points as they look to remain in the Champions League places heading into the New Year.
The draw is 11/4, with an Arsenal win 15/8.
It looks a decent price for a Chelsea side who comprehensively outplayed Tottenham in North London just last weekend.
Mason Mount was superb in that meeting and should return to the starting line-up for this one, having been rested from the start against Southampton.
The England midfielder is the type of player who tends to cause Arsenal problems between the lines, and at 3/1 he is a good price to score anytime with his shooting ability from outside of the area.
His team-mate Tammy Abraham and the aforementioned Aubameyang have scored 23 league goals combined already this season and are both evens to add to their tallies.
Should he start, a better value choice may be Alexandre Lacazette at 31/20; the Frenchman has scored five league goals in just six home appearances this season.
Ultimately, with both teams likely to score, 3/1 on Chelsea winning and conceding looks a value bet.