This may be the kind of fixture Chelsea need to kickstart their title defence. These sides had contrasting fortunes in the Champions League in midweek and, while Arsenal will arrive with Petr Cech in their ranks and last month’s success in the Community Shield to bolster confidence, José Mourinho will spy an opportunity. His side breezed beyond Maccabi Tel Aviv with his players finally finding some upbeat rhythm, while Arsenal only returned home from Zagreb as dawn approached on Thursday. The hosts have awkward decisions to make over John Terry and Branislav Ivanovic, but Mourinho will be confident his team will be more recognisable as reigning champions. Dominic Fifield
Kick-off Saturday 12.45pm
Venue Stamford Bridge
Last season Chelsea 2 Arsenal 0
Live BT Sport 1
Referee Mike Dean
This season G5, Y17, R0, 3.4 cards per game
Odds H 13-10 A 2-1 D 12-5
Chelsea
Subs from Blackman, Beeney, Collins, Rahman, Cahill, Aina, Loftus-Cheek, Mikel, Djilobodji, Rémy, Pedro, Traoré, Kenedy, Falcao
Doubtful Ramires (knee), Falcao (Achilles), Oscar (knee), Pedro (thigh)
Injured Courtois (knee, Nov), Willian (hamstring, Oct)
Suspended None
Form LLWLD Discipline Y7 R2
Leading scorer Six players 1
Arsenal
Subs from Ospina, Debuchy, Mertesacker, Chambers, Gibbs, Arteta, Flamini, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Giroud
Doubtful Mertesacker (illness)
Injured Wilshere (leg, Dec), Welbeck (knee, Feb), Rosicky (knee, unknown)
Suspended None
Form WWDWL
Discipline Y5 R0
Leading scorer Giroud 2
