Chelsea’s final game before this month’s international break takes place on Sunday at home to London rivals Arsenal.
Chelsea host Arsenal at Stamford Bridge this weekend in a huge Premier League showdown, which is a meeting between fourth and fifth in the division table.
The Blues go into Sunday fresh off an emphatic 8-0 home win over Noah yesterday in the Conference League group stages.
In contrast, the Gunners were beaten 1-0 away to Inter Milan on Wednesday night in the Champions League group stages. However, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is still confident his side can go to Chelsea and win.
- READ MORE: Gary Neville and Ian Wright predict the winner of Chelsea against Arsenal in the Premier League
Chris Sutton predicts Chelsea vs Arsenal – but there’s a twist
BBC pundit Chris Sutton is usually quite firm with his weekly segment of pre-match predictions for the Premier League, but he’s just delivered a unique prediction for Chelsea versus Arsenal.
Interestingly, he’s tipping the Blues for a home win if Cole Palmer is fit and in the starting XI. If not, he thinks it’ll be a score draw.
“I don’t do this very often but my prediction here rests on whether one player is fit or not – Chelsea’s Cole Palmer,” Sutton told BBC Sport.
“Arsenal have a doubt over Declan Rice which is a worry for them, and Martin Odegaard will be rusty after returning from his layoff with a brief appearance against Inter Milan in midweek, but it is Palmer who holds the key.
“You are asking me to make a prediction and I don’t know which gun I’ve got – a bazooka or a water pistol.
“Palmer has missed training this week after getting injured against Manchester United last weekend and Chelsea need him if they are going to win this. Even if Palmer is absent, I don’t think Arsenal will win…
“2-1 if Palmer is in the Chelsea team. 1-1 if he isn’t – final prediction will be made when the line-ups are announced before kick-off.”
In Chelsea’s last six meetings with Arsenal, they’ve got a pretty terrible record. The Blues have one win, one draw and four defeats in the previous six Premier League clashes with their London neighbours.
Will Cole Palmer play against Arsenal?
All eyes will be on Chelsea’s team sheet on Sunday to see if Palmer is involved. The 22-year-old attacker picked up an injury in last weekend’s 1-1 draw with Manchester United, but will he be ready to face Arsenal?
A Chelsea source claims Palmer is expected to be fit to play against Arsenal, despite the fact that he’s skipped training sessions earlier in the week.
For optimistic Blues supporters, they’ll be encouraged by the fact that Palmer has been named in Lee Carsley’s England squad for the upcoming internationals. He was also at Stamford Bridge on Thursday in the stands cheering on his teammates in the Conference League.
| Competition | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| Premier League | 10 | 7 | 5 |
As seen above, Palmer has been on fire in Chelsea’s league games this season. He’ll surely be desperate to put in a statement performance against Arsenal, though.
Darren Bent has urged Chelsea playmaker Palmer to deliver more in the big games, and they don’t come much bigger than this weekend.
Receive a digest of our best Chelsea content each week direct to your mailbox
