Four pundit predictions for Premier League title clash

Chelsea host Arsenal at Stamford Bridge on Sunday in a top-of-the-table clash following their impressive Champions League wins over Bayern Munich and Barcelona respectively.

Mikel Arteta’s leaders are six points clear of the second-placed Blues and will take a big step towards their first Premier League title since 2003 with victory over Enzo Maresca’s side.

READ MORE: Big weekend: Chelsea v Arsenal, Tottenham, Arne Slot, Michael Keane

The Gunners will be the heavy favourites, but Chelsea are on a roll, winning five of their last six Premier League games, including four clean sheets, with the only blemish on their book in that time a 2-1 defeat to Sunderland.

Arsenal are at their highest after rule out Tottenham in north London derby Before put Bayern to the sword on Wednesday.

We’ve rounded up some of the experts’ predictions ahead of the match.

Paul Merson

If Arsenal win, the title race is over! I expect Manchester City to win this weekend, but even then an Arsenal win puts everything to bed. I saw Chelsea v Barcelona and they completely blew away Hansi Flick’s team even before Ronald Araujo’s red card. Arsenal also beat Bayern Munich quite comfortably, with a stunning second half performance!

I don’t think Enzo Maresca needs to win this match. His goal is to finish in the top four and win a cup this season. If Chelsea win this match, they automatically become title contenders. Then the expectations of this team change and I’m not sure it suits them. We saw how far ahead Chelsea were in December last season and they suddenly fell away.

So can Chelsea beat Arsenal? I don’t think so. I’m a Chelsea fan and I watch this team all the time. I just don’t think Arsenal are going to lose this game. Chelsea have a very young team and always experience ups and downs in terms of results. I don’t think Chelsea have the experience yet to win a league title.

This match will also see the battle of Moises Caicedo and Declan Rice, two of the best midfielders in the world. I can’t wait to see this battle! It will also be interesting to see which team Maresca will play. Could he be tempted to use a false nine like he did against Barcelona? Arsenal are better in defense, but I just think Chelsea can get a point.

Gary Cahill

“I don’t think Chelsea will learn anything from playing Arsenal. They will be fully aware of their quality and the strength they have.

“Arsenal have improved year on year, and they will certainly feel this is their most important change to win the Premier League. But Chelsea seem to be measuring themselves against the big teams, so I’m really looking forward to this weekend’s game.

“It would be a big milestone for Chelsea if they got a result and those are the games you can’t lose if you want to go on and win a title. If Chelsea get three points it’s a six-point game – those are the big pressure games and the games you want to be in.

“If they stay in and around Arsenal (in the table), they are within earshot (of challenging for the title). I think Chelsea will win 2-1 against Arsenal this weekend. I have to support the boys, and they will turn out against the big teams.

“I think they will relish the opportunity and they are coming off a massive win against Barcelona, ​​so confidence will be high.”

Chris Sutton

“It’s a big deal – second versus first – and now is not the time to be on the fence. I was right in saying Arsenal were going to wipe the floor with Tottenham – I went 3-0 and it was 4-1 – but I didn’t get any extra prediction points for being so brave and so close.

“I like what Enzo Maresca is doing at Chelsea and he is another manager who sticks to his principles in the way his team plays. Chelsea have also kept three clean sheets in a row so they look pretty solid at the back, but I still think Arsenal will be too powerful for them.

“Mikel Arteta’s team showed how good they are by beating Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Wednesday. They showed they can beat any team in every way – outmuscle them, out-muscle them or out-muscle them – and they will be ready for Chelsea.

“Maresca could still go faster, like he did against Barcelona’s high line, but Arsenal will have too much of us for them and I actually think they will win quite comfortably.

“Chelsea have made a very good start to the season but I don’t see them, or anyone else, pushing Arsenal closely in the title race. 2-0 to Arsenal.”

Alan Smith

“I have Arsenal to win 2-1. Chelsea had a great win last night (against Barcelona), didn’t they? And beat Burnley last time in the league. So it will be interesting.

“It will be interesting to see where Chelsea are at. I don’t see them as title contenders, but who knows? They will gain confidence, especially after beating Barcelona. So that would be a good thing. I still see Arsenal as a probably close winner.”