Sterling goal, Saka pen – Three Chelsea vs Arsenal predictions

Chelsea vs Arsenal on matchday 11 of the 2023/24 Premier League season is set to be one of the more exciting games of the weekend.

The Blues host the Gunners with hopes of finally breaking their four-game run of bad form against their fellow London side.

A number of big names will be on display as Mauricio Pochettino and Mikel Arteta go head-to-head in a battle of wits, tactics and in-game management to better their team’s lot in the Premier League.

As fans prepare for an exciting clash, Goalball Live brings you Chelsea vs Arsenal match information and predictions.

Chelsea's upcoming run in the Premier League is a gauntlet 😰 pic.twitter.com/u2YFvxP03f

— B/R Football (@brfootball) October 19, 2023

Chelsea vs Arsenal game preview, team news and predicted lineups

Chelsea vs Arsenal used to be one of Eden Hazard’s favourite games. The Blues fans intend to honour their former talismanic playmaker and forward with a banner at the Bridge when Arsenal come visiting.

This gesture also means that they expect their current crop of players to give it their all against the joint top leaders of the 2023/24 Premier League season and dominate them just like Hazard used to.

Both teams are coming off the international break without any fitness problems other than the ones they were dealing with before the break.

Bukayo Saka is now fit for Arsenal as is Chelsea captain Reece James. Both are expected to start and their battle will be one to watch in the game.

Raheem Sterling is angry at his exclusion from the England squad, which Gareth Southgate took to the October 2023 international break and he will be looking to prove the Three Lions manager wrong for choosing to leave him out of the team.

A brilliant performance reminiscent of Hazard will be what he needs to get the fans and the media singing his name into Southgate’s ears ahead of the November international break.

Chelsea fans will display their Eden Hazard banner ahead of Saturday's match against Arsenal, following the Belgian's retirement last week ❤️ pic.twitter.com/0xO1iLFYiq

— B/R Football (@brfootball) October 20, 2023

A three-game league match-winning run is also an attractive sight for Chelsea but the chance to go top of the league – pending the outcome of Tottenham Hotspur’s match on Monday – could be a much greater motivation for Arsenal to give their all in the game.

Here are the expected lineups for Chelsea vs Arsenal.

Chelsea

Goalkeeper: Robert Sanchez

Defenders: Reece James, Axel Disasi, Thiago Silva, Levi Colwill

Midfielders: Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo, Conor Gallagher

Forwards: Cole Palmer, Nicolas Jackson, Raheem Sterling

Arsenal

Goalkeeper: David Raya

Defenders: Ben White, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhães, Oleksandr Zinchenko

Midfielders: Martin Ødegaard, Declan Rice, Thomas Partey

Forwards: Bukayo Saka, Eddie Nketiah, Gabriel Martinelli

Chelsea vs Arsenal predictions

Prediction 1: Raheem Sterling goal contribution

The absolute best player for Pochettino ahead of the Chelsea vs Arsenal game has been Sterling.

The former Manchester City midfielder is responsible for three of their ten goals so far in the league this season. He is always the most likely to score or provide an assist whenever the Blues play.

He will be involved in any number of goals that Chelsea score against Arsenal either as a goalscorer or as the provider of the assist(s).

Prediction 2: Martin Ødegaard goal contribution

The Arsenal captain is also one of Arsenal’s main attacking outlets this season. He is second behind Saka in Arsenal’s goalscoring and goal contributions charts this season with his four goals and an assist from all competitions four the Gunners this season.

Arsenal’s style of play allows him to take up positions where he can attempt shots and play line-breaking passes which will end up in a goal or an assist against Chelsea.

Prediction 3: Bukayo Saka goal contribution

🚨Mikel Arteta says Bukayo Saka is desperate to play against Chelsea tomorrow.

Arteta on Saka: “He's been working so hard to be fit for this game. Let's see where he is today in training.” pic.twitter.com/x5gQCpLmHp

— now.arsenal (@now_arsenaI) October 20, 2023

Saka does not have the best record against Chelsea – two goals and one assist in eight games against the Blues – but he is in inspired form at the moment.

With four goals and two assists (six G/A), he is one of the best attackers in the Premier League for the 2023/24 season. He is also Arsenal’s top scorer in the league and is expected to be in the goal contributions for the game.