Chelsea v Arsenal preview

Stamford Bridge: Sunday showdown

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skysports.com's prediction: 2-0

SKYBET odds: Chelsea 5/6, Draw 12/5, Arsenal 7/2

One to Watch: Didier Drogba

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Arsenal are hoping to get their Premier League title bid back on track as they travel to Stamford Bridge to take on Chelsea on Sunday.

The Gunners suffered a demoralising home defeat to champions Manchester United last week, leaving them off the pace heading into the game, which can bee seen live on Sky Sports 1 and HD1.

With a potential gap of nine points on offer for table-toppers Chelsea, while a win for the visitors would shorten the deficit to just three, both sides will be viewing this clash as a six-pointer in the title race.

Arsene Wenger's men have suffered home defeats to United and Chelsea this term, but have lost just once on the road against the traditional top-four sides in their last five attempts.

However, Chelsea have dropped just two points at home this season and will be out to grab three points after their disappointing midweek draw with Hull City at the KC Stadium.

The Blues have the Premier League's most impressive defensive record this term with 11 clean sheets in 24 outings, but they will bid for a 12th against top scorers Arsenal, who have netted 60 goals in the same number of games.

Chelsea team

Blues boss Carlo Ancelotti could welcome back John Obi Mikel from international duty with Nigeria at the African Cup of Nations.

Chelsea have already benefited from Didier Drogba's return to the side in midweek following Ivory Coast's early exit from the competition, and Mikel could now make the squad against the Gunners.

However, the game will come too soon for Michael Essien, who missed Ghana's run to the final after suffering a knee injury early in the tournament, and he may not return until next month.

Full-back Jose Bosingwa is also expected to miss the game as he recovers from a knee injury while Juliano Belletti is a doubt with the same problem.

Ashley Cole was a late substitute at the KC Stadium, and he could reclaim his starting place at left-back to face his old club at the expense of Yuri Zhirkov.

Besides the aforementioned injured, Ancelotti has a full squad to choose from and scandal-hit centre-half John Terry will captain the side despite his very public personal issues.

Arsenal team

Brazilian striker Eduardo Da Silva is set to miss out once again after sitting out the defeat to Manchester United with the hamstring problem he picked up against Aston Villa.

That means Nicklas Bendtner is in contention for a start after becoming available to Wenger from the bench in recent fixtures, with Robin van Persie a long-term absentee.

Midfielder Abou Diaby could return from the calf problem that has kept him sidelined since mid-January as the Gunners attempt to nudge their title challenge back on track.

At the back, Johan Djourou is nearing a return but Stamford Bridge may not be Wenger's first-choice destination at which to hand him a return.

Kieran Gibbs, meanwhile, is still struggling to overcome problems with his foot after breaking a metatarsal bone earlier in the season.

Possible starting XI's

Chelsea: Cech, Ivanovic, A. Cole, Terry, Carvalho, Lampard, Ballack, Malouda, J. Cole, Drogba, Anelka.

Arsenal: Almunia, Sagna, Clichy, Vermaelen, Gallas, Song, Fabregas, Denilson, Rosicky, Nasri, Arshavin.