This Premier League preview sees a huge weekend in the context of the season.

Chelsea take on Arsenal at Stamford Bridge, with this match a big factor in deciding the destination of the title.

Chelsea will be looking to continue their excellent season and Arsenal needing to recover after the defeat to Watford.

Chelsea vs Arsenal – Saturday 4th February 2017 – 12:30 - Sky Sports 1

Chelsea

Chelsea welcome Arsenal to Stamford Bridge in a huge Premier League clash, with Chelsea looking to continue their title march.

The Blues come into this match on the back of a 1-1 draw against Liverpool, with the Blues continuing their incredible season.

David Luiz (24) opened the scoring early on for the Blues, with an excellent free-kick that hit the post and went in.

It was a shocking mistake from Simon Mignolet, who wasn't even watching the ball when it went in.

Georginio Wijnaldum (57) equalised for Liverpool in the second half, with an excellent header to level the scoring.

Simon Mignolet redeemed himself late on with a penalty save, Diego Costa failing to convert after a Joel Matip trip.

Chelsea's To Lose

The Blues have had an excellent season so far, they have no European commitments so domestic glory will be the target for Conte.

They are top of the Premier League by a distance, with 9 points separating them and Tottenham, who have Europa League commitments coming up.

Chelsea are the favourites to secure a title for Conte in his first season, a win here will all but guarantee them the title.

Chelsea Favourites

The Blues come into this match as the favourites, with home advantage and their excellent form over Arsenal informing that.

This will be a tough fixture for Conte's side, with Arsenal reeling from the Watford defeat but they will want to avenge the early season defeat.

Chelsea will be looking to better their overall record against Arsenal, they have won 55, drawn 48 and lost 63 of their 166 meetings.

Chelsea are 1/1 with Diego Costa at 7/2 to score first.

Stamford_Bridge_-_West_Stand

Shock Defeat For Arsenal

The Gunners come into this match in good form, despite a shock defeat at home at against Watford on Tuesday night.

Walter Mazzarri's side scored two goals in the opening 13 minutes, with Younes Kaboul opening the scoring in the 10th minute.

Troy Deeney (13) doubled the Hornets advantage just three minutes later, with Arsenal shell shocked.

Alex Iwobi pulled one back for the Gunners (58), but this defeat means their title chances hang by a thread now.

Must Win For Gunners

The Gunners now desperately need to win this fixture, with back to back defeats meaning Chelsea move 12 points clear of them.

That result against Watford was their only blemish in their last six, it was a hammer blow for the Gunners though.

The priority for Arsenal will be the league, but the FA Cup is their only realistic silverware chance at this stage.

They have a nine-point gap to make up, if they win at Stamford Bridge that means the gap is only six points.

Gunners Underdogs

Arsenal come into this match as the underdogs, with Chelsea's excellent form and the Gunners recent defeat informing that.

The Gunners will be looking to complete a league double over Chelsea, who they beat 3-0 earlier in the season.

Arsenal will be looking to better their recent form against Chelsea, they have won just 2 of their last 12 meetings.

Arsenal are 13/5 with Olivier Giroud and Alexis Sanchez at 6/1 to open the scoring.

The second fixture sees a huge relegation six-pointer when Crystal Palace take on Sunderland at Selhurst Park.

Manager Sam Allardyce hosts his former side, with current employers Palace still in desperate need of wins. Sunderland will be looking to build on the draw against Tottenham, with Moyes side in desperate need of a win here.

Crystal Palace vs Sunderland – Saturday 4th February 2017 – 15:00

Crystal Palace

Crystal Palace welcome Sunderland to Selhurst Park in the Premier League, with Sam Allardyce and Patrick van Aanholt returning to their former club.

Crystal Palace come into this fixture on the back of a 2-0 win, against Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium.

Scott Dann opened the scoring early in the second half (46), after a drab and fairly evenly contested first half.

Christian Benteke (90+2) scored right at the death to double the advantage, giving Palace and Allardyce a priceless away win.

It was Big Sam's first win in the Premier League with Crystal Palace, they will need plenty more to survive though.

Allardyce Turns Corner

Crystal Palace remain in dismal form, despite winning that vital match away at Bournemouth.

They still find themselves in the relegation zone, with Swansea still two points above them after their win against Southampton.

He has never been relegated from the Premier League, but his talented squad will need to continue winning.

Palace will be delighted with that performance, they have scored two but crucially they didn't concede.

Eagles Favourites

Crystal Palace come into this match as the favourites, with home advantage informing those odds.

This will be a tough fixture for Allardyce's men, with his former side fighting tooth and nail at the bottom as well.

Palace will be looking to complete a double over Sunderland, with the Eagles winning 3-2 at the Stadium of Light.

Crysta Palace are 8/13 with Christian Benteke at 7/2 to score first.

Crystal PalaceWinning Draw

The Black Cats come into this match on the back of a 0-0 draw at home against Tottenham, a display that will give them confidence.

That draw saw them move off the bottom of the table, with Hull City away at Old Trafford on Wednesday night.

Moyes will ultimately be delighted with a point, given how well Spurs have been playing of late.

He will rue the hatful of chances missed from his players in the first half, with Borini missing a glaring opportunity in the first half.

Sunderland Winless

David Moyes will be targeting a much-needed win in this fixture, with Sunderland without a win in their last eight matches.

They have lost four of their last six Premier League fixtures, with West Brom, Stoke and two defeats against Burnley.

Those results mean that the match against Palace is a huge game, a relegation six pointer and a win would open the door for the Black Cats.

The Black Cats will be looking for their fifth win of the season, in turn avoiding a fourth defeat in five matches.

Black Cats Underdogs

Sunderland come into this match as underdogs, with their mixed recent form informing the bookies.

This will be a tough fixture for the Black Cats, with Palace finally getting off the mark with a win against Bournemouth.

David Moyes' side will be looking to make it 12 wins in 26 meetings against Palace.

Sunderland are 17/4 with Jermain Defoe at 13/2 to open the scoring.

 

The final fixture sees Everton take on Bournemouth at Goodison Park.

Everton are in excellent form of late and will be looking to extend that into the business end of the season. Bournemouth are currenty on their worst run of the season and Eddie Howe will be looking to turn that round as soon as possible.

Everton vs Bournemouth – Saturday 4th February 2017 – 15:00

Everton

Everton welcome Bournemouth to Goodison Park in the Premier League, with both sides in desperate need of a win.

Ronald Koeman's side come into this match in great form, despite drawing 1-1 away at Stoke on Wednesday night.

Peter Crouch (7) opened the scoring for Stoke, with his 100th goal in the Premier League for the former Liverpool man.

Ryan Shawcross (39) scored an own goal to draw Everton level, with both sides heading into half time even steven.

There were no goals in the second half, but Everton were looking to continue their excellent run, with a draw the end result.

It means that Everton remain unbeaten, although their run of two successive wins has come to an end.

Everton Need Results

They appear to have finally turned the corner, they had a flying start to the season but have found life tough at times.

Ronald Koeman's side are 7th place in the Premier League, 5 points behind 6th place Manchester United.

A 7th place finish would represent a great season for Everton, especially given the strength of the sides above them.

They lost to Bournemouth 1-0 earlier in the season, a win to avenge that defeat will delight manager Koeman.

Toffees Favourites

Everton come into this match as the favourites, with home advantage and their excellent form winning out.

This will be a tough fixture for Ronald Koeman's side, with Bournemouth determined to put their recent form right.

The Toffees will be looking to continue their overall record against Bournemouth, having won 2, drawn 1 and lost 1 of their 4 meetings.

Everton are 8/11 with Romelu Lukaku at 7/2 to score first.

EvertonAnother Defeat

Eddie Howe's side come into this match on the back of a 2-0 defeat against the Eagles, with the Cherries producing a poor home performance.

Scott Dann opened the scoring early in the second half (46), after a drab and fairly evenly contested first half.

Christian Benteke (90+2) scored right at the death to double the advantage, giving Palace and Allardyce a priceless away win.

It's a result that means Eddie Howe's side are in desperate form, with just one win in their last six matches.

Cherries In Poor Form

Bournemouth come into this match having lost three of their last six, gaining just five points from a possible 18.

Defeats against Hull, Millwall and Crystal Palace came in amongst draws against Watford and Arsenal.

Bournemouth will be looking for far greater levels of consistency, they will also be looking for wins to drag them up the table.

The Cherries come into the match in 14th place in the Premier League, they have collected 26 points from their 23 games so far.

Bournemouth Underdogs

Bournemouth go into this match as the underdogs, with Everton in great form.

They will be looking to register their eighth win of the season, in turn avoiding a 12th defeat of the season.

Bournemouth will be looking to complete a Premier League double over the Toffees.

Bournemouth are 18/5 with Callum Wilson at 8/1 to open the scoring.

 

 

Betting Tips

Tip 1 – Hazard to score first @ 6/1 and Chelsea to win 3-1 @ 14/1

Tip 2 – Benteke to score first @ 7/2 and Crystal Palace to win 3-2 @ 25/1

Tip 3 – Wilson to score first @ 8/1 and Bournemouth to win 2-1 @ 14/1

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