There are 3 Premier League fixtures to be played on the 29th of December and the first of those takes place at the Emirates Stadium as Arsenal host Chelsea.
This is an important London derby in terms of the league table as Arsenal aim to move out of the bottom half of the Premier League whereas Chelsea are hoping to maintain their Champions League qualifying position.
Arsenal come into the match having picked up a point in a 1-1 draw at Bournemouth on Boxing Day. Having fallen 1-0 down in the match, the Gunners did well to battle back and secure a point thanks to 63rd minute equaliser. However, Arsenal could not do enough to go on and win the game and that result means they have failed to win any of their last 4 matches in all competitions.
In fact, trends show Arsenal have won only one of their last 11 Premier League games which is a very poor record for a team who were expecting to push for the top 4 this season. The only victory in those 11 matches came away to West Ham United on the 9th of December. Since then, Arsenal have lost at home against Manchester City and drawn away to Everton and Bournemouth.
Trends show Arsenal have lost each of their last 3 home games in all competitions and have seen both teams score in 12 of their last 16 matches at home. Arsenal have scored 2 or more goals in 21 of their last 28 home games in all competitions but have conceded 2 or more goals in 7 of their last 10 matches in all competitions.
Chelsea suffered a very disappointing 2-0 home defeat at the hands of Southampton on Boxing Day. Having come away from Tottenham Hotspur with a 2-0 victory in their previous match, Chelsea were expected to beat Southampton at home but it wasn’t to be.
That result means Chelsea have now lost 5 of their last 7 Premier League games, including 2 of their last 3 away from home. The away defeats have come at the hands of Manchester City and Everton and in 10 of Chelsea's last 12 away games in all competitions both teams have scored. Interestingly, Chelsea have achieved just 1 win in their last 8 away games against Arsenal in all competitions.
Looking ahead to the team news and Arsenal will be without the injured trio of Kieran Tierney, Rob Holding and Sead Kolasinac in defence. Daniel Ceballos, Hector Bellerin and Gabriel Martinelli are doubts.
Chelsea are without the injured Ruben Loftus-Cheek plus have doubts over Olivier Giroud, Marco Van Ginkel, Marcos Alonso and Reece James. Mason Mount and Christian Pulisic will be hoping to start.
Chelsea have been quite inconsistent of late but appear to prefer playing away from home than at Stamford Bridge. Arsenal are struggling to win matches at home and the Blues could come away with maximum points from this game.