UNAI MUST BRIDGE GAP

Gunners may struggle for top-four slot

BOTH Chelsea and Arsenal have already been swatted aside by Manchester City.

So the clubs will be looking to make a statement when they meet at Stamford Bridge today.

But while there was much to like about Chelsea’s comprehensive win against Huddersfield Town last Saturday, the same cannot be said of Unai Emery’s newlook, but oh so similar, Arsenal.

They were outclassed at the Emirates and the new Gunners boss looks to have a major job on his hands if his side are to challenge for a Champions League spot.

The Gunners are out to 9-4 with BetVictor for a top-four finish although they are still 1-4 to finish in the top six – that mean sixth.

The North Londoner’s likely central defensive pairing of Shkodran Mustafi and Sokratis Papastathopoulos do not fill me with great confidence and Eden Hazard is likely to be back in the hosts’ starting line-up after his cameo at the John Smith’s Stadium.

Chelsea are 4-5 to keep the points and they have won five of their last six home league games against the Gunners although the exception was last season’s goalless draw.

It was the 1992-93 season when Arsenal last lost their opening two league games – to Norwich and Blackburn.

But I can’t see past a home win although the best option must be for Chelsea to win and both teams to score at 23-10.

City have not scored at home against Huddersfield in the league since they ran riot and put 10 past them in November 1987.

Town did manage a goal in that defeat.

Since then, City have failed to score in four successive home league games against Town, including a 0-0 draw in May.

The Terriers have failed to score in eight of their last 11 league games but they will take heart that City had just seven shots on target in two games against them last term. City striker Sergio Aguero has scored 11 goals in his last seven home league games and the Argentina star is just 11-8 to score two or more against the Terriers.

City boss Pep Guardiola must decide if Gabriel Jesus or Leroy Sane gets a start or if he keeps faith with the 11 who beat Arsenal.

Huddersfield are 10-11 to be relegated but we are likely to know more about their prospects after the visit of Cardiff.

The most popular relegation treble so far has been the 10-1 for Cardiff, Huddersfield and Fulham to go down.

Liverpool to win and both teams to score ......... 19-10

Go to BetVictor.com