Chelsea face Arsenal this weekend in a game that is incredibly tough to predict.
On one hand, Arsenal have been levels above Chelsea in recent years as Mikel Arteta’s side have evolved into true title challengers.
However, in recent times, Chelsea have been in better form than Arsenal as the Gunners have suffered a dip in form.
Indeed, Arsenal have now failed to win any of their last three league games, and their title challenge is in danger of collapsing.
This is a very tough game to predict, so much so that writing in his BBC column, Chris Sutton has refused to give a straight-forward prediction.
Chris Sutton’s rare prediction for Chelsea vs Arsenal
Sutton made a rare change to his prediction format for Chelsea against Arsenal.
The pundit says that the result of this game wholly depends on whether or not Cole Palmer is fit.
Sutton says that regardless, he doesn’t think Arsenal will win, but if Palmer is fit, he thinks that Chelsea will be the victors.
“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 wrote.
“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. What worries me about them is what they do in the opposition box. They played well against Inter but they came up short in front of goal, and they certainly aren’t clicking in the final third.”
Which other players are injured for Chelsea and Arsenal?
Sutton says that Palmer’s injury will decide the result of this game, but there are other fitness issues to consider heading into this match.
Martin Odegaard has just returned from injury, which is a huge boost for Arsenal, but whether or not he will be fit enough to start remains to be seen.
Meanwhile Jadon Sancho is also a doubt for Chelsea, while there are a few other potential absentees.
| Potential absentees for Chelsea and Arsenal | Issue |
| Cole Palmer | Knee injury |
| Jadon Sancho | Illness |
| Declan Rice | Foot injury |
| Kai Havertz | Head injury |
| Raheem Sterling | Ineligible due to loan |
| Riccardo Calafiori | Knee injury |
| Mikel Merino | Head injury |
| Martin Odegaard | Lacking match fitness after ankle problem |
Chelsea and Arsenal, at full strength, are two evenly-matched sides, but heading into this game, both teams may be slightly depleted.
As Sutton says, this is a game that could ultimately be decided an hour before kick-off when the teamsheets are officially announced.
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