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Football London
Football London
Sport
Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

Chelsea and Frank Lampard handed massive boost ahead of Arsenal trip

Chelsea return to Premier League action on Sunday afternoon.

The Blues' final game of 2019 is a big one as they face rivals Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium and they can complete a unique double over teams from north London.

Last weekend Frank Lampard's side overcame Jose Mourinho and Tottenham Hotspur in N17 and will be looking for a repeat performance and scoreline in N5 to end the decade in style.

Teams no longer fear Stamford Bridge trip

Following the 2-0 home defeat by Southampton on Boxing Day, the Chelsea head coach will certainly be demanding a reaction from his players.

That result has once again opened the door for Spurs and the rest of the chasing pack in the race for a top four finish and the west London outfit could kick-off at the Emirates outside of the Champions League positions.

Much depends on the Lilywhites beating Norwich City in the late game on Saturday.

With that said, the Blues' hopes of starting 2020 as the capital's leading side has been boosted with news of Mateo Kovacic being back in contention to face the Gunners.

The Croatia international missed the Saints game through suspension after picking up his fifth booking of the Premier League season four days earlier at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

In his absence, Jorginho was recalled and partnered N'Golo Kante in the engine room.

With that said, it's by no means a guarantee that Kovacic will start in north London.

This is because Lampard has opted for a 3-4-3 formation in each of the last two games which has meant there's only room for two central midfielders.

Should Lampard hand Kovacic an immediate recall for the London derby?

Have your say on that as well as the team the Blues head coach should pick against the Gunners by using the widget below.

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