Football pundit Chris Sutton has made an intriguing prediction for the upcoming Chelsea vs Arsenal match, a crucial fixture in the Premier League. Known for his candid opinions, Sutton provided his insights through BBC Sport, stating his forecast hinges heavily on one player’s availability: Chelsea’s Cole Palmer.

Sutton suggested that Palmer’s presence could be the difference-maker in the highly anticipated game. “I don’t do this very often,” Sutton admitted, emphasizing the unusual nature of his prediction. “But my prediction here rests on whether one player is fit or not – Chelsea’s Cole Palmer.” The young Englishman, who has impressed in recent games, seems to be viewed by Sutton as pivotal to Chelsea’s success against their London rivals.

If Palmer plays, Sutton predicts a narrow 2-1 victory for Chelsea. This scoreline suggests he sees Palmer as providing Chelsea with a critical edge, likely due to his ability to unlock defenses and create scoring opportunities. However, if Palmer is unavailable, Sutton believes the game will end in a 1-1 draw. This alternative scoreline indicates he expects a more balanced contest without Palmer’s creative influence.

Chelsea has shown consistent form this season under new manager Enzo Maresca, making every point crucial as they aim to maintain their strong standing in the Premier League. Arsenal, on the other hand, are pushing to keep pace in the title race, adding extra stakes to this encounter.

Sutton’s prediction may evolve closer to kick-off as he plans to finalize his call once the team line-ups are announced. With a key player like Palmer possibly missing, both Chelsea and Arsenal fans will be eager to see how this clash unfolds.

This insight from Sutton offers a fascinating angle on what promises to be a thrilling London derby. The spotlight is on Cole Palmer, and Chelsea supporters will hope he’s ready for the challenge.