MAR 22: CHELSEA v ARSENAL TIPS

BIGGEST game in England this weekend is at Stamford Bridge at lunchtime (12.30pm) and Arsene Wenger would love to celebrate his 1000th game in charge of the Gunners with a win.

Jose Mourinho is protecting a 75-match unbeaten league record at Stamford Bridge and crucially as a coach Wenger has never got the better of his Portuguese rival.

So will the Frenchman break that sequence this afternoon? I doubt it. Mourinho remains the master tactician and despite last week's defeat at Aston Villa I expect the Blues to bounce back.

Chelsea were dominant against Galatsasaray in midweek but will be without banned duo Ramires and Willian so Frank Lampard will step in and dynamic displays will be needed from star turns Oscar and Eden Hazard. Samuel Eto'o has scored two goals in two games so is likely to start ahead of Fernando Torres and is 5-1 (various) to bag the opener.

Arsenal will be minus Jack Wilshere and Aaron Ramsey and possibly Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and there is no doubt Wenger would jump at the offer of a point. It was 0-0 at the Emirates and a tactical battle could result in another low scorer. Under 2.5 goals must be a possibility at 4-6 with Ladbrokes and I'm on Chelsea at 10-11 with William Hill and others to edge a win, possibly 1-0.

Meanwhile, Ladbrokes offer Wenger at 8-1 to retire at Arsenal as he celebrates his landmark. To see out his career at PSG it's 11-10, Monaco 5-1 and Barcelona 5-1.

It's also 8-1 this season proves to be his last in football management while his opposite number for today's clash is 10-1 to rack up the same total of games or more in charge of Chelsea.

Those who think the milestone might be marred can take 10-1 he is sent to the stands during the match while it's 1000-1 his side beat Chelsea before going on to win the league and condemning them to a finish outside of the top four.

Ladbrokes spokesman Alex Donohue said: “We think there might just be one last top job left in Wenger. If he does choose to move on before hanging up his famous coat the betting suggests he'll have his pick of Europe's best sides.

“Despite the landmark occasion Arsenal are proving particularly unpopular for the game. While Chelsea are expected to win we don't imagine tempers will flare on the touchline.”

Recommended Bets

Chelsea
(10-11, various)

Eto'o to score first
(5-1, various)

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