England star Frank Lampard is set to return to Chelsea’s starting line-up ahead of schedule as Carlo Ancelotti’s side bid to open up an eight-point lead at the top on their London rivals. Their opponents will know, though, that the Blues have already lost twice away from home this season, while Arsenal boast a perfect record of five wins from five at the Emirates Stadium so far this campaign.

Quick Check

Arsenal

  • William Gallas is expected to overcome a facial injury to continue in defence.
  • Midfielder Denilson is in contention to start his first league game for two months after a back problem.
  • Winger Theo Walcott could also start after making his comeback as a substitute last week.
  • Arsenal have won all five games at the Emirates Stadium this season, averaging four goals a match.
  • Last week’s defeat at Sunderland was the first time the Gunners have failed to score this term.
  • Strikers Robin van Persie and Nicklas Bendtner are missing through injury again.
  • Left backs Gael Clichy and Kieran Gibbs are sidelined by long-term back and foot injuries.
  • Midfielder Abou Diaby has been ruled out for three weeks with a calf strain.
  • Arsenal have kept just once clean sheet in their last six matches.

Chelsea

  • England star Frank Lampard is set to return from a torn thigh muscle a week early.
  • Drogba, Ballack and Deco are all in contention to start.
  • Carlo Ancelotti’s team has scored in every match this season.
  • Chelsea won 4-1 at the Emirates Stadium last season to inflict Arsenal’s biggest home defeat.
  • The Blues have kept clean sheets in five of their last six games.
  • The Blues have lost two of their last three Premier League away games.
  • Full back Jose Bosingwa is out until the New Year after a knee operation.

Expert Advice

Clashes between these two teams are always fascinating but this one looks to have extra spice, with Chelsea keen to extend their advantage at the top and Arsenal desperate to close the gap and avenge last season’s 4-1 humiliation at home. The Gunners have been unstoppable going forward at the Emirates Stadium this term sweeping all before them, but they will face a Blues defence full of confidence after five clean sheets in their last six games. The visitors are not short of options in attack, either, and the anticipated return of Lampard and Drogba could prove decisive. Picking a winner, however, appears a tricky task so Betsson’s odds of 2.32 for there to be over 2.5 goals appears a sound bet.

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