Chelsea vs Arsenal predicted line-ups: Team news and expected XIs for London derby as Maresca and Arteta face key decisions

Chelsea can cut the gap to Premier League leaders Arsenal in a blockbuster London derby on Sunday.

The top two in the table clash in a meeting of the league’s form sides.

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A win for the Gunners could see Mikel Arteta’s side end the weekend nine points clear at the summit.

Despite that, Chelsea will be eyeing a crucial scalp come the 4.30pm kick-off at Stamford Bridge.

Enzo Maresca’s side will have to overturn a woeful recent record against Arsenal, though.

They have won just one of their last 12 meetings across all competitions.

Meanwhile, Chelsea’s last home league victory against their latest opponents came back in August 2018.

As for Arsenal, they are currently on a 15-match unbeaten run across all competitions stretching back three months.

Chelsea vs Arsenal: Team news

Maresca came away from Tuesday’s Champions League victory without any fresh injury concerns.

Cole Palmer once again missed out against Barcelona with a broken toe but is being assessed ahead of the weekend.

The Chelsea boss had expected the midfielder to be unavailable still come Sunday’s clash.

Elsewhere, Romeo Lavia and Dario Essugo remain sidelined alongside Levi Colwill, who is out for the season.

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Meanwhile, Arsenal could welcome back several players after coming through a testing period of injuries.

Martin Odegaard is expected to be fit after missing eight weeks with a knee injury.

Viktor Gyokeres and Kai Havertz could also return, but face fitness tests ahead of the trip to Chelsea.

Gabriel Magalhaes and Gabriel Jesus will both be unavailable to Arteta, though.

The former has been ruled out until after Christmas with a thigh injury picked up on international duty.

As for Jesus, he is not anticipated to return from a torn ACL until the new year.

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Chelsea vs Arsenal: Predicted line-ups

Estevao’s heroics in midweek could see him force his way into the starting line-up on Sunday.

The Brazilian’s inclusion would likely see Pedro Neto shifted to the left wing.

Elsewhere, Reece James started in midfield against Barca before reverting to right-back for the second half after Andrey Santos’ introduction.

Maresca may choose to mould his two line-ups from the wins over Burnley and Barca after rotating in between those victories.

Chelsea predicted XI: Sanchez; James, Fofana, Chalobah, Cucurella; Andrey Santos, Caicedo; Estevao, Fernandez, Neto; Delap

Arsenal are likely to be unchanged from their dominant north London derby triumph over Tottenham.

Their Champions League trip to face Bayern Munich provides an opportunity for Odegaard, Gabriel Martinelli and Noni Madueke to step up their injury comebacks.

Arteta’s options remain dependant on whether Havertz and Gyokeres are passed fit, with Mikel Merino currently operating as a striker.

Arsenal predicted XI: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Hincapie, Calafiori; Zubimendi, Rice; Saka, Eze, Trossard; Merino