Game Week 13 Predictions: Arsenal to underline title credential with win at Chelsea

Chelsea vs Arsenal: Top-of-table clash at Stamford Bridge! Palmer fit, Arsenal eye 9-pt lead. Can Blues end Gunners hoodoo? Verdict: Arsenal win.

Chelsea's form will be tested when they meet the Gunners at Stamford Bridge on Sunday. Is this a title decider? (Photo credit: Opta)

 Chelsea vs Arsenal

Stamford Bridge Stadium

5:30pm

This is the game everyone has been waiting for, the top two in the Premier League who both got sensational results in the Champions League in midweek; we live for days like this.

Chelsea beat Barcelona 3-0 in the Champions League on Tuesday; they may have gotten a man advantage at some points; however, you can’t discount the way the Blues managed the game effectively to dispatch Barcelona like they don’t exist.

Arsenal has a rich history of always losing to Bayern Munich in the Champions League; the Bavarians walked into the Emirates hoping to get their usual win but were destroyed by a masterclass from Mikel Arteta and Arsenal; a 3-1 win saw Arsenal move to the summit of the group phase on a perfect record.

In the league, Arsenal continues to lead the log, but their lead was cut to four points after Manchester City beat Leeds United 3-2 at the Etihad. A win restores Arsenal’s seven-point advantage over the Cityzens and extends it from six to nine over the World Champions.

For Chelsea, they know the situation: a win over Arsenal, something they haven’t been able to do in a while, takes them just within three points of the Gunners. Chelsea has not conceded a goal in the league in their last three games; this would be interesting.

Arsenal has enjoyed dominance over the Blues in recent seasons, an exact opposite of what Chelsea used to enjoy over the Gunners in the distant past. Will Chelsea finally break the recent trend of always dropping points to Arsenal?

Cole Palmer has been declared fit and available for the Blues; he will be expected to start on Sunday in what would be his first game in about five weeks. His presence will help greatly with creativity as Chelsea hope to officially throw their hats into the title race.

The defensive pairing for Chelsea is the main worry for fans. Will it be Trevor Chalobah and Tosin again, or will they be able to call on Wesley Fofana? The midfield battle between Moises Caicedo and Declan Rice is one to relish; we’re in for a treat.

Arsenal will be without Gabriel Maghalaes, but Piero Hincapie deputised greatly against Spurs, and Mosquera did against Bayern Munich. Word on the street is that the Gunners could welcome back the duo of Viktor Gyokeres and Kai Havertz against Chelsea. Are we also expecting a Noni Madueke show?

Verdict: Arsenal to win.