Saturday 4 February 2017 12:32, UK
Who will win the battle between the Premier League's joint top goalscorers Diego Costa and Alexis Sanchez? We check the stats...
A mouth-watering London derby kicks off the live Premier League football on Sky Sports this weekend with league leaders Chelsea taking on second-placed Arsenal at Stamford Bridge.
Antonio Conte's Chelsea hold a nine-point lead over their London neighbours and defeat for Arsene Wenger's side will surely end their title challenge.
With London pride, as well as a crucial three points up for grabs, the performances of the Premier League's leading goalscorers will be vital in deciding which team will come out on top.
Sanchez has already bettered his goal and assist tally from the last campaign. The Chilean forward has scored 15 goals and made eight assists in the Premier League this season. In the first meeting between the teams this season, Sanchez scored the opening goal and made an assist for Mesut Ozil as Arsenal won 3-0.
Despite press speculation regarding Sanchez's future, his form since the end of November has been sensational. He has scored nine goals and made five assists in the last 11 Premier League games. He has either scored or made an assist in 10 out of those 11 games, failing only in the 1-0 win against West Brom on Boxing Day.
Sanchez is also the leading away scorer in the Premier League this season. His tally of 11 away goals is three more than the trio of Sergio Aguero, Costa and Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Only PSG's Edinson Cavani (12) has scored more away goals in Europe's top five leagues this campaign.
In Arsenal's last five away games, Sanchez has made two assists and scored six goals including a hat-trick in an impressive 5-1 win at West Ham at the start of December.
Overall, Sanchez has made three assists and scored 11 goals in 11 Premier League away games this season. However, in 10 Premier League away career appearances at the current top six clubs, Sanchez has found the net only twice, scoring at Man City and Tottenham.
Despite rumours of a switch to the Chinese Super League and a falling out with Antonio Conte, Costa scored on his return to the Chelsea team earlier this month against Hull on Super Sunday. His total of 15 Premier League goals this season is already three more than in the last campaign, while he has also chipped in with a further five assists.
Costa's form throughout the season has been outstanding. In his 21 Premier League appearances this season, he has made a goal or assist in 16 of them. This is better than any other player in the Premier League with Sanchez the next best with 15.
The 28-year-old Spanish forward's form at Stamford Bridge has been even more impressive. In 10 Premier League home appearances this season, Costa has made three assists and scored seven goals including a goal in each of the last three games.
The only Premier League home game this season when he has failed to register a goal or assist was in the 4-0 win against Manchester Utd in October.
Chelsea will take another step towards the title if Costa can score in a fourth consecutive Premier League home game, while the rest of the teams chasing Conte's men will be hoping Sanchez can inspire Arsenal to victory.
