Arsenal get the winter Blues
Following their mid-week efforts on the European stage in the Champions League, Premiership giants Chelsea and Arsenal meet in the pick of the weekend's football fixtures (3.30pm Sunday, SS1).
The Premiership challengers go into Sunday's match with the Blues in second place and the Gunners just below on the league table. The Blues have a 10-point lead over Arsene Wenger's team.
The north London side's title challenge has taken a knock of late, with the Gunners dropping points against Fulham, Bolton and Newcastle.
The 2-1 defeat away to Fulham was the Gunners' first loss to the Cottagers in forty years.
Thankfully for the Gunners, the pressure was eased with a 3-0 win over long-time rivals Tottenham Hotspur last weekend.
By contrast, Chelsea have been merrily picking up all three points, with the only blip being the 1-1 draw away to Manchester United 10
days ago.
Chelsea last lost in the Premiership back at the beginning of November, going down 2-1 away to Spurs.
Arsenal striker Thierry Henry's neck injury could keep him out of the side until the New Year, which could give Chelsea the edge.
The west Londoners won 2-0 when the sides last met in the Premiership this time last year. They also won 1-0 in the reverse earlier that year.
As far as picking a winner in this clash goes, it is Arsenal who have the most to gain as they look to narrow the gap at the top of the table. Whether they'll do it is another matter.
What is certain is that the game will be a must-see match across the country. Roll on Sunday afternoon.
l The Manchester derby between United and City is the Saturday lunchtime match this weekend. Can Stuart Pearce's Blues withstand Sir Alex Ferguson's Red Devils? See PPlus from 12.15pm for all the action.
