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

H/T: The Guardian.