Chelsea can fire out of the blocks again in Arsenal clash

Buoyed by Champions League victory over Barcelona, Chelsea will fancy their chances of triumphing at the Emirates at 13/5 on Saturday.

They meet an Arsenal side that has demonstrated terrific form of late however, losing just twice in their past 12 matches, so it could be wiser to invest in the 6/5 on the Blues winning either half instead.

What appears the standout bet at a bigger price though, is for Chelsea to win the first half, offered as a 3/1 prospect.

Roberto Di Matteo’s men carried a lead into the break against what is widely regarded as the greatest side in the world on Wednesday, and they look good to do the same against the Gunners this weekend.

Lending further weight to this claim is the fact the Blues have led at half-time in six of their past seven meetings with Wenger’s side, including their past two trips across London to the Emirates.

Whilst they have not always gone on to claim full-time glory in this fixture, Chelsea’s knack of getting off on the front foot against their neighbours can stand them in good stead again, as they aim for a victory that would enhance their hopes of a top four finish markedly.

They have led in more than a third of their Premier League fixtures by the half-time whistle this term too, and having conceded only seven times before the break on their travels, will fancy their chances of keeping Arsenal at bay for 45 minutes at least.

It is also worth noting that the Gunners have conceded more than twice the amount of first half goals than they have in the second half at home, and so Chelsea have to be fancied to breach their backline and carry a lead into half-time, at that generous 3/1.