The stand-out fixture in this week’s round of EPL games is undoubtedly Sunday’s all-London clash between Arsenal and Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium, although as a tasty appetiser, fans can see how Liverpool respond to their midweek Champions League exit as they make the short trip across Stanley Park to take on city rivals Everton. Sunday’s third game also sees local rivals go head-to-head, with the showdown between Wolves and Birmingham set to have a major influence on each side’s survival prospects.

On Saturday, meanwhile, fourth-placed Tottenham will travel to fifth-placed Aston Villa full of confidence following their 9-1 mauling of Wigan last weekend, while draw specialists Manchester City will be hoping for more than just a point when they host struggling Hull. Mid-table pair Blackburn and Stoke lock horns at Ewood Park, Fulham face Bolton and there is a clash of the claret and blues at Upton Park where West Ham entertain Burnley. Completing this week’s round, managerless Portsmouth face the daunting prospect of tackling Manchester United, while Steve Bruce takes his Sunderland side to the DW Stadium to face former club Wigan.

Arsenal v Chelsea
Emirates Stadium
Sunday 29th November 2009

Arsenal may have secured top spot in their Champions League group in midweek, but their comfortable victory over Standard Liege came at something of a cost as defender Kieran Gibbs suffered a broken metatarsal injury that will require immediate surgery.

Andrei Arshavin and William Gallas, meanwhile, were both cut after clashing heads in the first-half against Liege and the French defender also picked up an ankle problem that means he may be ruled out of Sunday’s crucial clash. Arsene Wenger is already struggling for attacking options, with Robin Van Persie and Nicklas Bendtner out until the New Year, meaning that Eduardo is likely to lead the line again despite drawing a blank in last week’s defeat at Sunderland.

On a brighter note for the North Londoners, midfield duo Denilson and Theo Walcott both returned to competitive action in midweek and may feature on the bench against Chelsea, while Alex Song should be in confident mood after signing a new deal that will keep him at the club until 2014.

Wenger’s opposite number Carlo Ancelotti will also still be without a couple of key men in the form of Frank Lampard and Jose Bosingwa, but heavy-hitters Didier Drogba, Michael Ballack, Ricardo Carvalho and Deco all returned to action in the Blues’ midweek victory over Porto and should be available on Sunday.

Chelsea fans will also be hoping that French starlet Gael Kakuta is handed some more game-time following his stunning cameo off the bench against Wolves last weekend.

Remarkably, Chelsea have lost only one of their last seven trips to Arsenal and ran out 4-1 winners when the two sides last met towards the end of last season. The Gunners looked decidedly short of marksmen at the Stadium of Light last weekend and will have to improve significantly to breach a miserly Blues defence that has leaked just eight goals in thirteen Premiership games. A fascinating midfield battle looks to be on the cards, but with Drogba and former Gunner Nicolas Anelka in red-hot form, the visitors should be able to secure what would be a hugely important victory.

Prediction: Arsenal 0-1 Chelsea