Chelsea (18 wins, 4 losses, 8 draws) hosts Arsenal (17-11-3) at Stamford Bridge Wednesday. Kickoff is set for 2:45 p.m. ET. Below, we preview the Chelsea vs. Arsenal odds and lines, and make our best EPL bets, picks and predictions.
Chelsea will be playing its first league match since a 6-0 win April 9 over Southampton.
Since then, it beat Real Madrid 3-2 (failing to advance in the Champions League on aggregate) and Crystal Palace 2-0 in the FA Cup semifinal. Chelsea sits 3rd on the EPL table with 62 points in 30 matches.
It is led in scoring by F Mason Mount with 10 goals this season. Chelsea’s strength is its defense, which has allowed just 23 goals, the third-fewest in the EPL.
Arsenal hasn’t been the same since losing F Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. The star forward was sent to Barcelona.
Following a 5-game winning streak, Arsenal lost to Liverpool 2-0, and it’s been downhill since, losing 4 of its last 5. F Bukayo Saka and M Emile Smith Rowe lead the club in scoring, both totaling 9 goals on the season.
Chelsea vs. Arsenal: Odds, lines, picks and predictions
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:49 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Chelsea -122 (bet $122 to win $100) | Arsenal +350 (bet $100 to win $350) | Draw +265
- Over/Under: 2.5 (O: +100 | U: -120)
[tipico]
Prediction
Chelsea 3, Arsenal 1
Money line (ML)
BET CHELSEA -122.
The value on Chelsea here actually makes it worth a wager. Typically top-three EPL sides at home are too pricey. However, Chelsea at -122 makes sense. It is 7-2-5 at home this season.
Arsenal is 7-7-1 on the road. Chelsea defeated Arsenal earlier this season 2-0. Given the recent stretch of play for the road side, confidence should be near a season-low, having dropped to 6th on the table.
Throughout all competitions, Arsenal has played Chelsea, Liverpool or City 7 times. It has scored just 1 goal. The top defenses are a league above the rest, and Arsenal has struggled heavily against them.
Arsenal may also be down F Alexandre Lacazette, who missed the club’s game against Southampton.
All things considered, I also wouldn’t hate playing BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE -117.
Chelsea has scored in all but one game this calendar year. It’s allowed a goal in 3 of its last 5. Arsenal ranks 8th in the EPL in goals and could break down a Chelsea backline that looked flawed against Real Madrid.
Over/Under (O/U)
LEAN to the OVER 2.5 (+100).
Throughout all competitions, Chelsea has topped this in 4 of its last 5 and has gone over 3.5 goals in those 4 games as well. It’s risky, but that value (over 3.5 goals) can be taken at +250.
Arsenal has gone over 2.5 goals in 5 of its last 9 matches.
While I’d rather play the much hotter Chelsea-to-win value, the Over 2.5 (+100) is the lean here.
Bet legally online with a trusted partner: Tipico Sportsbook, Sportsbook Wire’s official sportsbook partner in CO, NJ and soon IA. Bet now!
If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW. Please gamble responsibly.
Follow @nathanbeighle_ on Twitter. Follow @SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
Gannett may earn revenue from Tipico for audience referrals to betting services. Tipico has no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. See Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions. 21+ only. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA).
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=42968]