Chelsea v Arsenal preview

PREDICTIONS:
Skysports.com prediction: Chelsea 1 Arsenal 0
Sky Bet odds: Chelsea 8/11 Draw 5/2 Arsenal 4/1
One to Watch: Nicolas Anelka
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Chelsea's London derby with rivals Arsenal has all the hallmarks of a heart-thumping encounter, and you can see the action live on Sky Sports 1 & HD1 on Sunday.

The Premier League leaders have made an imposing start to the season, amassing 10 wins in 14 fixtures, scoring 32 goals and conceding just four.

Arsenal, meanwhile, have endured a beginning to forget as hugely unconvincing form coupled with unrest from within has wavered the Emirates Stadium ship.

Arsene Wenger's youthful charges have lost five league games already this term - three of those defeats coming in their last four outings - and the Frenchman will be aware that realistic hopes of a title push have all-but faded.

Lull

They can, however, draw heart from the Blues' own dip in form, which has seen Luiz Felipe Scolari manage success twice in six previous attempts.

The Brazilian could be without Joe Cole for the clash after the winger suffered an ankle injury in the UEFA Champions League draw with Bordeaux on Wednesday night.

Former Gunner Nicolas Anelka will be looking to continue his rich vein of scoring form as powerful striker Didier Drogba misses out through suspension.

Defender Alex has recovered from his groin strain and is likely to partner captain John Terry in the heart of defence.

Juliano Belletti (ankle), Michael Essien (knee), Ricardo Carvalho (knee) and Franco di Santo (hamstring) all remain sidelined.

Captain Fab

New Gunners skipper Cesc Fabregas will lead out his team-mates for the first time in a Premier League game as they look to build on a late midweek victory over Dynamo Kiev.

Samir Nasri (knee), Bacary Sagna and Emmanuel Adebayor (both ankle) will be assessed ahead of the clash, with Wenger hopeful the trio will be at his disposal.

Centre-back William Gallas is set to come up against his ex-club Chelsea, while Theo Walcott, Eduardo and Tomas Rosicky remain long-term absentees.

Possible starting XIs:

Chelsea: Cech, Bosingwa, Terry, Alex, A Cole, Mikel, Ballack, Lampard, Deco, Malouda, Anelka.

Arsenal: Almunia, Sagna, Gallas, Silvestre, Clichy, Nasri, Denilson, Fabregas, Diaby, van Persie, Adebayor.