Betting.Betfair

Lee Dixon will stop tipping Robin van Persie to score when he stops scoring. Arsenal will need the Dutchman to carry on his superb form to get something from this match but the way he's going, that's not too big an ask.

Andre Villas-Boas will have been very disappointed with last Sunday's defeat to QPR. While all the talk has been surrounding the two Manchesters, his Chelsea side were quietly creeping up on the rails and looking ready to pounce.

There's a lot to like about his options upfront and the midfield looks solid but defensively there are a few concerns. John Terry has been a stalwart at the heart of their defence for years but since the departure of Ricardo Carvalho they've tried a few options, and though the likes of Branislav Ivanovic and David Luiz are both fine players in their own way, Chelsea's defence hasn't been as solid as that of yesteryear. You only have to look at how few clean sheets they've kept this year.

As for Arsenal, they're improving after that horror start to the season and look a better side, playing with more confidence. They're up to seventh and it's a safe bet they'll be higher than that come May.


Match Odds

A few weeks ago this would have looked like a home banker. But as we've seen already, Arsenal have been improving and have won four on the bounce in all competitions.

We shouldn't underestimate the loss of Didier Drogba to Chelsea. He may not be in the same sort of form as he was a couple of years ago but his record against Arsenal is exceptional. As Opta tell us, he has scored 13 goals in 14 appearances against the north Londoners in all competitions. The Gunners' record against Chelsea with him playing is W1 D3 L10, but in his absence Arsenal have won two, drawn one and lost none. He obviously loves playing against Arsene Wenger's men and his absence improves the visitors' chances of getting something out of the game. Fernando Torres will return from suspension but we'll have to wait and see just how sharp he is.

This may end up being a game of two strikers because Arsenal will be fielding one of the most-in form goalscorers in the league. But more on Robin van Persie later.

With Chelsea a bit shell-shocked from that QPR defeat, the ongoing John Terry racism investigation and the absence of Drogba, Chelsea are worth taking on at odds-on.


Over/Under 2.5 Goals

Three clean sheets from nine league matches suggests Arsenal's long-standing defensive problems are far from being fixed. We've already looked at Chelsea's own problems at the back. I don't think either side will run up a big win, nor do I expect it to finish 3-3, but we should get at least three goals.


To Score

There's one question on many an Arsenal fan's mind: what would happen if Robin van Persie were out with a lengthy injury? It's a particularly pertinent question because his injury record suggests he rarely goes through a season without enduring at least one spell of being sidelined for two or three weeks. The answer is that Arsene Wenger will have to cross that bridge when he comes to it. In the meanwhile we have to carry on backing him to score. Opta tell us he's scored 25 goals in 26 Premier League appearances in 2011 and 11 goals in his last 12 Premier League away games. It's a must-bet.

Daniel Sturridge has been pretty impressive himself. He's got four league goals from just five appearances and scored the winner at Everton in the Carling Cup in midweek. He's one of those players who always looks like scoring, even when he's not actually playing that well. That's a priceless asset to have as a striker and he's also worth backing to get a goal on Saturday.


Recommended Bets

2 pts Lay Chelsea @ 1.68
2 pts Back Over 2.5 goals @ 1.76
3 pts Back Robin van Persie to score @ 3.0
1 pt Back Daniel Sturridge to score @ 2.3

For more football betting articles, go to http://betting.betfair.com/football/