Tune in at 8:30 AM ET as Chelsea takes on Arsenal. Rob Sturney will be liveblogging for your enjoyment.
I'm Rob Sturney here with The Score's ongoing coverage of the EPL. Today we have two of the heavyweights of the league squaring off in London. Chelsea, who doesn't have the greatest home record (5-4-2) versus Arsenal.
Chelsea is currently third in the league and Arsenal is sixth.
No Podolski and Oxlade-Chamberlain for Arsene Wenger as they both fell ill.
On the blue side Torres starts up top for Chelsea instead of Ba.
Lineups: Chelsea: Cech, Ivanovic, Cahill, Azpilicueta, Cole; Ramires, Mata, Lampard, Hazard, Oscar; Torres
Arsenal: Szczesny, Vermaelen, Mertesacker, Sagna, Gibbs; Coquelin, Cazorla, Diaby, Walcott, Wilshire; Giroud
Terry's knee injury has been to the detriment of his match fitness. Azpilicueta gets the call. No room for Luiz today. Benitez has Romeu, Benayoun injured and Moses and Mikel at the African Cup of Nations playing for Nigeria.
Wenger is missing Arteta, Fabianski and Rosicky through injury and Podolski and Ox from illness. Giroud is the point of the spear today with Coquelin getting a start. Good news for the Gunners is that Walcott signed a deal this week.
In Arsenal's last three EPL games they've triumphed over Newcastle, drew with Southampton and lost to Manchester City. Chelsea has lost to QPR, beaten Stoke and then drew with Southampton, who promptly fired its manager.
Arsenal SUBS: Mannone, Koscielny, Santos, Jenkinson, Ramsey, Arshavin, Frimpong
Chelsea SUBS: Turnbull, Ferreira, Terry, Bertrand, Marin, Ake, Ba
Both teams seem to be in 4-5-1 with Wilshire behind Giroud and Oscar tucked in behind Torres.
Later on today Tottenham hosts Manchester United with the Red Devils looking to regain that seven point lead at the top.
Both these teams on display today have had their frustrations, those which have taken them out of title contention, but they've also had days when they've looked very slick and bright.
Chelsea has Reading next in their schedule, Arsenal faces West Ham.
Torres, Lampard and Mata all have seven EPL goals and Mata leads Chelsea in assists.
Walcott leads Arsenal in goals with eight markers. Cazorla is second with seven.
Both teams are in their traditional kits. Cech sports green while Szczesny is clad in a yellow jersey and black shorts. It's snowing on Torres' new short haircut.
We're close to the opening whistle at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea will be attacking from right to left in the first half. Right to left. They kick us off too and right away, Oscar goes down in the red box, but there's no appeal and no call.
1 min: Lampard gets a crack off, but it's wayward of goal. Szczesny will belt the ball into the snow.
2 min: Now it's Arsenal's turn for some slow build up, but Chelsea captures it. Torres is tripped by Mertesacker and Lampard is poised over the 45 yard free kick.
3 min: Ivanovic nods it over the net.
3 min: The two sides exchange the ball in midfield before Torres gets lose on the far touchline. Vermaelen slides through him to put the ball out.
4 min: Chelsea's little triangles can't break space open and then Mata flies up the middle before losing the ball. Down the other end Giroud drags a ball wide!
6 min: What a chance for Giroud early.
GOOOOOAALLLL! It's Mata! That man Mata!
Mata gets his eighth goal of the season. Ramires and Coquelin come together with a crack and Coquelin stays down.
Mata gathered a high cross on the left side of the Arsenal box and clinically slips it past the Polish 'keeper.
Well, it has a new direction now.
Arsenal are unhappy about no whistle on the Ramires/Coquelin incident.
