Arsenal vs Chelsea Match Predictions: December 26, 2020
In this article, we cover Arsenal vs Chelsea preview and odds for the English Premier League match scheduled to be played at the Emirates Stadium on 26 December 2020. After 14 matchweeks, Arsenal have slipped to 15th place, dangerously close to the relegation zone, while Chelsea are 8th after 12 games.
Match Analytics and Odds
Arsenal lost 2-1 to Everton at Goodison Park in matchweek 14 to complete their 7th successive week without a win. On 22 minutes, Arsenal keeper Bernd Leno watched defender Rob Holding deflect a flick by Dominic Calvert-Lewin into his own goal. But Gunners hit back 10 minutes before the interval when they earned a penalty after a foul on Ainsley Maitland-Niles by Tom Davies. Nicolas Pepe took the spot kick for Mikel Arteta’s men. But Arsenal went into the break 1-2 down when a corner resulted in a goal-bound header by Yerry Mina to get Everton back in the lead. Arsenal had an opportunity to level the score midway through the second half. An error by Jordan Pickford saw the Everton crossbar rattled by a deflected effort from David Lutz. Since then, every effort by the Gunners to break the Toffees down proved of no avail and they slid to their eighth loss in 14 games.
While goalkeeper Bernd Leno did a creditable job, especially when he made a stunning save off a Calvert-Lewin drive into the top corner. Kieran Tierney was effective in defence, Ainsley Maitland-Niles earned a spot kick by getting to the ball faster than his marker and Nicolas Pepe showed great composure at the helm of attack. Otherwise, it was a forgettable performance by the rest of the squad.
In matchweek 13, Chelsea travelled to Molineux to be subjected to their second Premier League loss on the trot after a last-minute winner by Pedro Neto. A cagey first half saw a complete lack of tempo from either side. But after the quarter-hour, Christian Pulisic, Mason Mount and Ben Chilwell began to pressure the Wolves’ defence on the left-hand side. But there were no shots on goal until the 45th minute when Kurt Zouma aimed a towering header off a corner only to see it rattle the bar. Giroud shot the Blues to a 1-0 lead five minutes after the break but that only served to bring Wolves to life and Daniel Podence gave them a brilliant equaliser on 65 minutes. Chelsea dictated the game from then on, but against the tide of play, Pedro Neto was rewarded for pace and his clinical finish saw the hosts snatch a last gasp win. Among the forwards, Pulisic was brilliant, while Giroud played his role when he got the chance. Mount and Kante were effective in midfield as were James, Silva and Zouma in the back, though Zouma was distinctly unlucky not to net his 5th Premier League goal.
Bookmakers’ odds favour Chelsea at 42/41. While Arsenal attract odds of 3/1, a draw is quoted at 29/10.
Match Predictions
Our match prediction is that Chelsea will beat Arsenal 2-1
Summary
Arsenal have tasted victory just once in their last 10 matches. With 14 points from 14 games, this is Gunner’s worst performance at this stage of the season in 46 years. In a scathing indictment of their unsuccessful attack, the Emirates squad have not scored from open play in their last five Premier League games on the road.
The head-to-head record of the teams reveals Arsenal with an advantage of 67-59 in 179 games between the sides.
The chart below shows that Arsenal have won just one of their last five home games, while Chelsea have won three of their last five away matches.
