Chelsea vs Arsenal: Predicted line-ups, team news and how to follow with Cole Palmer major doubt and Martin Odegaard fit | talkSPORT
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Chelsea vs Arsenal: Predicted line-ups, team news and how to follow with Cole Palmer major doubt and Martin Odegaard fit | talkSPORT

Nov 08, 2024

Chelsea host Arsenal in a mouthwatering London derby in the Premier League this weekend.

The Gunners are in desperate need of three points or they could wave goodbye to the title already.

Mikel Arteta's side are winless in their last three matches, losing to Newcastle and Bournemouth.

But a tie like this could be exactly what they need to spring back into life.

Meanwhile, Chelsea are progressing nicely under Enzo Maresca, and they'll be feeling confident.

However, both sides do have some injury issues to contend with...

Despite gifting Manchester United a penalty last week, it seems as if Robert Sanchez will be in goal for the Blues.

Defensively, they have a clean bill of health.

This means we are likely to see a back four of Reece James, Wesley Fofana, Levi Colwill and Marc Cucurella.

Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia are the best midfield pairing in the Premier League, according to Jason Cundy.

So, it seems unlikely that duo will be disrupted.

Cole Palmer is highly doubtful to be involved after being on the receiving end of a bad tackle against United.

In his place, Christopher Nkunku is likely to get a chance.

Jadon Sancho is struggling with illness, so Pedro Neto will be on the left and Noni Madueke has nailed down his spot on the right.

Nicolas Jackson is Maresca's first-choice striker.

In goal, the Gunners will deploy David Raya despite not keeping a clean sheet in his last six league games.

Ben White will most likely play at right-back, with Jurrien Timber on the opposite side.

This is because Riccardo Calafiori and Takehiro Tomiyasu are injured.

William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes will continue their excellent partnership.

In midfield, Arteta is sweating on Declan Rice's fitness.

The England international broke his toe against Newcastle and missed the trip to the San Siro.

However, he is willing to play through the pain barrier, so it is up to Arteta what he does.

In more positive news, Martin Odegaard returned from an ankle injury as a late substitute against Inter Milan in the Champions League on Wednesday.

This game is probably too soon for him to start but expect him to play a good chunk of minutes.

Thomas Partey, Leandro Trossard and Mikel Merino are likely to start as the midfield trio.

Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli should be on either wing, but Arteta might have an issue up front.

Kai Havertz suffered a cut to the head at the San Siro and will need to be assessed, so Gabriel Jesus could lead the line.

This Premier League game is set to take place on Sunday, November 10.

Kick-off at Stamford Bridge is scheduled for 4:30pm.

The match will be broadcast on Sky Sports Main Event and Premier League.

Sky Go customers will be able to stream all the action through their laptops and mobile devices.

Alternatively, a NOW TV pass can be purchased. More details here.

talkSPORT will have updates throughout the afternoon, and talkSPORT.com will have the action on our dedicated Premier League blog.

To tune in to talkSPORT through the website, click HERE for the live stream.

You can also listen via the talkSPORT app, on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.

talkSPORT host Cundy believes that Lavia and Caicedo are the best midfield duo in the Premier League.

Speaking on talkSPORT's Inside Chelsea show, he said: “Maresca has to play them both. Caicedo is now starting to emerge as one of those leaders on the pitch and that’s really important.

“He plays like a captain and he looks like a captain, that's something this squad has missed since [Cesar] Azpilicueta, [Mateo] Kovacic and [Olivier] Giroud left.

“Lavia and him, they are the pivot, they link up so well, Fernandez has a real problem now and won’t start against Arsenal.

“Name a better midfield two, and if there is one, there aren’t many more. I can’t think of a better midfield two in the Premier League than those two."

Chelsea host Arsenal in a mouthwatering London derby in the Premier League this weekend.