Deco returns to the side following his European suspension but Joe Cole is out with an ankle injury.

Branislav Ivanovic continues to be preferred to Alex as John Terry's partner and Salomon Kalou is given a start out wide with Florent Malouda dropped to the bench.

For Arsenal, William Gallas plays, his central defensive partner John Djourou. Bacary Sagna is fit to resume right-back duties and Emmanuel Adebayor is back up front with Nicklas Bendtner making way.

Chelsea will line-up in a 4-1-4-1 formation as follows:

1 Petr Cech
17 José Bosingwa
2 Branislav Ivanovic
26 John Terry (c)
3 Ashley Cole
12 John Mikel Obi
21 Salomon Kalou
13 Michael Ballack
8 Frank Lampard
20 Deco
39 Nicolas Anelka

Substitutes: 40 Hilario, 19 Paulo Ferreira, 33 Alex, 18 Wayne Bridge, 27 Mineiro, 43 Miroslav Stoch, 15 Florent Malouda.

Arsenal are expected to line-up in the following 4-4-2 formation:
Almunia (c); Sagna, Djourou, Gallas, Clichy; Denilson, Fabregas (c), Song, Nasri; Van Persie, Adebayor.

Subs: Fabianski, Gibbs, Silvestre, Ramsey, Wilshere, Vela, Bendtner.

The referee is Mike Dean.

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Live commentary of the match is available via Chelsea Plus.