Chelsea v Arsenal
Chelsea go into this match unbeaten in five and top of the table, some 10 points ahead of Arsenal, who have failed to win four of the last five - although they did reach the last 16 of the Champions League this week. Chelsea are yet to do so.
Arsenal are bidding to avoid a third successive league loss for the first time in 59 Premier League outings and will buoyed by the knowledge Chelsea have lost more matches (15), conceded more goals (47) and dropped more points (67) to Arsenal, than to any other club in the Premier League.
Chelsea though have won two of their last three home Premier League meetings with Arsenal, having failed to do so in any of the previous nine.
In 29 meetings in all competitions since 1998 there has been just one goalless draw; that being at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League on 20 April 2005.
Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole could miss Sunday's vital London derby against Arsenal at Stamford Bridge after suffering an ankle injury in the Champions League draw with Bordeaux on Wednesday night.
Juliano Belletti (ankle), Michael Essien (knee), Ricardo Carvalho (knee) and Franco di Santo (hamstring) are all out.
Defender Alex has recovered from his groin strain and is included in the squad but striker Didier Drogba misses out through suspension.
Arsenal expect to have Samir Nasri (knee), Emmanuel Adebayor and Bacary Sagna (both ankle) available.
However, midfielder Abou Diaby (abdominal strain) misses out along with Kolo Toure (calf), Theo Walcott (shoulder) and Emmanuel Eboue (knee).
Striker Eduardo is closing in on a return from his broken leg, but Tomas Rosicky (knee) remains sidelined until the new year.
Chelsea: Cech, Cudicini, Hilario, Bosingwa, Ferreira, Alex, Terry, Ivanovic, Bridge, A Cole, Lampard, Deco, Ballack, Obi, Kalou, Malouda, Anelka, Sinclair, Stoch, J Cole.
Arsenal: Almunia, Sagna, Silvestre, Gallas, Clichy, Nasri, Denilson, Fabregas, Vela, van Persie, Adebayor, Fabianski, Song, Djourou, Ramsey, Bendtner, Gibbs, Hoyte, Wilshere.
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