London rivals Arsenal and Chelsea will conclude the domestic 2016-17 English season at Wembley on May 27, with two powerhouses of the British game hoping to secure glory in the FA Cup final.
The teams have had vastly contrasting campaigns, with the Blues crowned Premier League champions in Antonio Conte’s first season in charge at Stamford Bridge.
Arsenal on the other hand have struggled under an increasingly maligned Arsene Wenger, with the North London side putting forward a late push for a top-four place but ultimately finishing fifth, with Europa League participation next term.
Although the Gunners supporters have lofty ambitions of their club fighting for major silverware, the FA Cup has proved to be the side’s only solace in recent years – with Arsenal going into the final as the holders.
However, Chelsea enter the fixture at Wembley as favourites to win with the football betting sites, with the best odds you can get for the Blues to wrap up a momentous domestic double around 20/21.
An FA Cup triumph may well save some face for Wenger, but Arsenal are underdogs at odds of 3/1 with most bookmakers.
For the Gunners to stand any chance of victory, main man Alexis Sanchez must be fit and firing.
The Chile international’s future at the Emirates Stadium remains in doubt due to his contract entering its final 12 months, but the South American star has shown his calibre this term with 24 Premier League goals.
Alexis to score first is a sensible punt for those putting a wager on, with the former Barcelona man at enticing odds of 7/1 to break the deadlock.
Recent fixtures between these two sides have been feisty at times, with controversy and players getting sent off – Gabriel Paulista’s dismissal at Stamford Bridge after an altercation with Diego Costa was a high-profile incident that sticks out in the recent memory.
As such, putting money on there being a penalty in the game looks like a shrewd outside bet, with odds in the region of 11/4 guaranteeing a nice return.
Picking the score can be difficult, but looking at which teams will or will not hit the back of the net may prove more fruitful.
Interestingly, in the last ten games between the sides, only on one occasion has both teams scored – the 3-1 victory Chelsea recorded over Arsenal the last time the teams met.
There has been a lot of stalemates and close games, but having a gamble on both teams not to score could well be the way to go at odds of 13/10.
Both sides will be desperate to prevail given the rivalry between the clubs and what it would mean to win silverware, but with some enticing odds on offer there will be plenty of punters that are winners off the pitch.
