Best bets for Arsenal v Chelsea

Tom Hill’s best bets for Tuesday night’s Premier League match include a win for the Gunners with their star winger finding the net.

Arsenal’s Premier League title challenge is set to be tested again when the Gunners entertain Chelsea in an enticing London derby on Tuesday.

Mikel Arteta’s side successfully navigated a tricky trip to Wolves at the weekend, coming away with a deserved 2-0 win, and they remain top of the table on goal difference, just ahead of Liverpool, who were 3-1 victors at Fulham on Sunday. 

With Manchester City, who are a point behind in third place, not in league action until Thursday, Arsenal have the chance to extend their advantage over the champions to four points if they can see off Chelsea, who will feel somewhat unlucky to have lost to City in Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final.

Selections 

Arsenal to win to nil @ 2/1
Bukayo Saka to score anytime @ 29/20
Goal in both halves – No @ 8/5

Another home clean sheet

We are now firmly on the home straight, and the three-way title tussle continues in fascinating fashion. 

Any dropped points are likely to be punished, so the Gunners have to win this London derby to keep their dream alive, and while it might not be straightforward, they should achieve victory.

There doesn’t appear to be any repeat of 12 months ago when Arteta’s side capitulated late on amid pressure from City and the way they controlled proceedings at Molineux showed their growing maturity as victory never looked in doubt as soon as as Leandro Trossard put them in front just before half-time. 

Chelsea will offer more going forward than a depleted Wolves were able to muster, but Arsenal’s defence have been so strong, so they should be able to handle Mauricio Pochettino’s outfit at the Emirates.

Arsenal have registered clean sheets in four of their last five league games, and Gabriel, William Saliba, and co have been outstanding at nullifying opponents. 

Cole Palmer is a doubt due to illness, which will be a huge boost for the Gunners, and while Nicolas Jackson and Chukwunonso Madueke will also pose a threat, this Arsenal backline revels in defending as a unit, and they can once again pull together impressively to record a victory to nil. 

Super Saka the difference

Trossard was lively at the weekend, so the Belgium international will hope to keep his place up front for the Gunners but back Saka to be the inspiration for the hosts on Tuesday. 

The England man has been hampered by a slight injury in recent weeks, but he remains vital to Arteta, and he will try and stretch a vulnerable Chelsea backline.

Much of Arsenal’s impressive attacking work comes down the right, and Saka, who has scored 18 goals in all competitions this season, is an obvious dangerman.

The 22-year-old has only scored once in his last four league games – a penalty in the routine 3-0 success at Brighton on April 6 – but he has been highly involved in the final third and has attempted 12 shots in his last five games in all competitions.

At 29/20 to score anytime against Chelsea, Saka looks solid value. 

Derby expected to be cagey affair

Arsenal’s renowned defensive prowess means Chelsea look unlikely to score on Tuesday, and the odds of 8/5 on there being at least one scoreless half at the Emirates look too good to ignore.

Arteta’s side were on the brink of going in 0-0 at the break Wolves on Saturday before Trossard’s fortunate finish saw them edge ahead in the 45th minute, while Chelsea’s Wembley semi-final against City in the FA Cup was goalless at half-time.

It was also level at 0-0 between the Gunners and Bayern Munich in their Champions League second-leg defeat in Germany last week, while Arsenal versus Villa was scoreless, too, when the ref blew up for the break in that clash.

This game could well follow a familiar pattern in what could be an initial tight and tense derby.