Published Dec 23, 3:14am ET by
Alex Dudley - Betting Preview Analyst and Sports Writer
Last updated Dec 23, 3:14am ET
Credit: Shutterstock
Updated Dec 23, 3:33am ET
One of the most interesting fixtures of the weekend is set for Stamford Bridge, as Chelsea host title-chasing Aston Villa on Dec 27. Find the odds and our picks here.
Aston Villa have won ten on the bounce in all competitions, and that has seen them emerge as a serious title contender. However, their credentials will be tested over the next seven days with matches against Chelsea and Arsenal.
The Blues played out a draw last weekend at Newcastle, as they fought back from two goals down to rescue a point. However, questions remain surrounding the long-term future of Enzo Maresca.
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|
|---|---|
| Chelsea | -117 |
| The Draw | +292 |
| Aston Villa | +315 |
Maresca has done an excellent job at Chelsea, leading the team to Europa Conference League and FIFA Club World Cup honors last season.
However, his comments following a 2-0 win over Everton have led to questions over his long-term future. The Blues were poor for 45 minutes last weekend, conceding twice against Newcastle, before staging a fight back in the second period.
Chelsea’s home record is largely reliable, winning four of their eight games at Stamford Bridge, scoring 1.5 goals per game.
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Aston Villa made club history last weekend, as their win over Man United marked a tenth straight victory. The club hadn’t achieved that many wins in succession in over 100 years.
Importantly, the win means that the club remain third in the standings, and they are within three points of Arsenal with a clash between the sides set for the next matchday.
Morgan Rogers has been the standout player for the club in recent weeks, netting braces in the wins over United and West Ham. A sign of their attacking prowess has been their efficiency in front of goal, scoring 1.59 efforts per 90 despite accumulating an xG of just 1.34.
| TOTAL | Chelsea | Aston Villa | DRAWS | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Games | 62 | 32 | 15 | 15 |
| Goals | 165 | 108 | 57 |
Aston Villa’s odds this weekend are too appealing to turn down. They come into this round in red-hot form, and they have one of the best players in the competition at the top of his game. Chelsea’s inconsistent defensive record makes them vulnerable, meaning that the preference is for the away win.
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Pick
Aston Villa (+315)
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