The Premier League 'Super Sunday' kicks off with a tasty London derby between Chelsea and Arsenal from Stamford Bridge in the lunchtime kick-off. All of the pressure is on Chelsea and their manager Rafa Benitez as the dissenting voices at the Bridge get ever louder following their stunning collapse against Southampton in mid-week.
Chelsea had held a comfortable 2-0 lead against the Saints on Wednesday before throwing it away and eventually drawing 2-2. They now sit 13 points behind Manchester United at the top of the table and their title hopes would be all but over with defeat this weekend. The Blues do start 5/6 favourites but Arsenal have an impressive record at the Bridge and can be backed at 10/3, while the draw is 5/2 with PaddyPower.
The draw with Southampton extended Chelsea's dismal record at home this season and the boos from the stands look to be having an effect on the team. There is no doubt that Benitez in an unpopular choice as manager and it is fair to say his side are struggling with the pressure on home soil, which is highlighted by the fact they have won their last six in a row away from home.
They have now won just one of six domestic league games at Stamford Bridge with Benitez at the helm though and that sole victory came courtesy of an 8-0 dismantling of a woeful Aston Villa. Their last three at home have seen them lose to QPR and Swansea, as well as draw with Southampton, which hardly inspires confidence this weekend.
Demba Ba has been one bright spot for them since his arrival from Newcastle and he has surely pushed Fernando Torres a little closer to the exit door. Ba has scored three goals in four appearances for the Blues and he is 7/2 favourite to be first goalscorer in the latest betting with paddypower, who are offering to refund all losing first scorer, last scorer, correct score and scorecast single bets on the match if Ba scores last.
Ba has the potential to emulate Didier Drogba in this Chelsea v Arsenal fixture as Drogba used to terrorise the Gunners defence. Ba scored two against Arsenal when playing for Newcastle in their 7-3 defeat the Emirates a few weeks ago and he will have to be in top form if Chelsea are to avoid defeat this weekend.
The Gunners have been infuriatingly inconsistent of late as they went down 2-0 at Manchester City last Sunday before picking up a much-needed 1-0 win over Swansea in the FA Cup on Wednesday night. Jack Wilshere's goal gave them their first win in four and they will hope to build on that result.
In fairness to Arsene Wenger's side, they have only lost four of 17 matches on their travels this season and they have conceded just nine of 24 league goals away from home. Santi Cazorla continues to pull the strings from midfield and he is a tempting 14/1 to score first after notching seven goals this season.
Cazorla could be a key man this weekend and he could help Arsenal towards a positive result. They won 5-3 in last season's league match at Stamford Bridge and they have won at this ground more times than any other top-flight side (7). PaddyPower offer 10/11 for an Arsenal win or draw in the 'double chance' market as the Gunners look to cause Benitez and Chelsea yet more home woe.
Chelsea v Arsenal Form
Check the season's statistics for both Chelsea and Arsenal, plus the odds ahead of Sunday's match.
Chelsea v Arsenal Tips
Tip #1: Double chance of an Arsenal win or draw @ 10/11 with PaddyPower.
Tip #2: 1-1 correct score @ 6/1 with PaddyPower.
Tip #3: Santi Cazorla to score first @ 12/1 with PaddyPower.
Match Betting
5/6 Chelsea
5/2 Draw
10/3 Arsenal
Correct Score Odds
7/1 Chelsea 1-0
17/2 Chelsea 2-0
13/2 Chelsea 2-1
11/1 Draw 0-0
6/1 Draw 1-1
11/1 Draw 2-2
13/1 Arsenal 1-0
22/1 Arsenal 2-0
12/1 Arsenal 2-1
First Goalscorer Odds
7/2 Demba Ba
9/2 Fernando Torres
7/1 Frank Lampard
7/1 Juan Mata
15/2 Theo Walcott
8/1 Olivier Giroud
9/1 Eden Hazard
9/1 Lukas Podolski
9/1 Oscar
10/1 No Goalscorer
12/1 Santi Cazorla
14/1 Ramires
Odds supplied by PaddyPower.com, who offer live in-play betting for all Premier League matches.
Posted: Friday, 18th January 2013
Author: Chris James
Tags: english premiership, chelsea, arsenal, rafa benitez, paddypower,
 | Arrival Of Pochettino Sees Southampton Clipped In The Latest Relegation Betting What effect will sacking Adkins have on Saints's season? | 18th Jan |
| Wigan V Sunderland Odds Black Cats Can Upset The Betting At The DW Stadium Both sides looking to enhance survival hopes | 18th Jan |
 | West Ham V QPR Odds Loic Remy Is A Tempting Bet To Score On His Debut Rangers bid to upset the odds at Loftus Road | 18th Jan |
| Man City V Fulham Odds City Hot Favourites To Extend Winning Run The hosts have won four matches in a row | 17th Jan |
 | A Suarez Hattrick And Away Win For Cardiff Amongst Weekends Best Bets Arsenal fancied to get something from Chelsea clash | 17th Jan |
Headline News
 | England V South Africa Odds Hosts Marginal Favourites For Semi Final Clash Two Sides Meet For A Place In The Champions Trophy Final |
 | Jersey Stakes Odds Gale Force Ten The Likely Royal Ascot Favourite Unbeaten French Raider Mutin Could Be A Threat |
 | Duke Of Cambridge Stakes Odds Chigun Could Start Favourite For Lady Cecil Dank Could Run A Big Race For Sir Michael Stoute |
 | 2013 Prince Of Waless Stakes Odds Al Kazeem And Camelot Set For Group One Clash The Fugue Is Quietly Fancied For John Gosden |
 | 2013 Royal Hunt Cup Betting Prince Of Johanne Aims To Retain Handicap Crown Trade Commissioner A Major Player If Recapturing Form |
BRAND NEW £250 free bet offer.
Open Account - Free £250 Bets With Paddypower
£25 free bet with William Hill.
Open Account - Claim £25 Free With William Hill
Up to £200 worth of free bets with Bet365.
Open Account - Claim £200 Free With Bet365
Ladbrokes are one of the highest rated online bookmakers in the UK and are a superb choice for placing your bets. You can claim a £30 free bet when opening a new account with Ladbrokes by clicking on one of the links on this site.
Once you've had your free bet Ladbrokes will credit your account with a £30 free bet.
Open Account - £30 Free Bet - Ladbrokes
The UK based bookmaker Betfred is now offering a £50 free bet for new clients.
Open Account - Free £50 Bet With Betfred
BetVictor is offering £100 in free bets to all new clients.
Open Account - Open Account - Free £100 Bets With BetVictor
Open an account with Coral and they'll match your first bet with a free bet up to the value of £50.
Open Account - £50 Free Bet with Coral
Those looking for some online casino entertainment ought to check out all the latest UK Casino Sign Up offers from the top operators including 32Red and many of the sports betting casinos.
There is excellent information, should you be interested in playing online blackjack, roulette, the best progressives or slots - Online Casino Betting with the best introductory offers
Bookmark This Page