The 3 key battles as Chelsea host Arsenal on Saturday

Diego Costa vs Laurent Koscielny

Similar to the above battle, this one sees two of the best in the league at what they do pit their wits against each other at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

Chelsea striker Diego Costa tops the goal-scoring charts alongside Alexis Sanchez this season with 15 goals for the Blues – the latest of which coming in their 2-0 win over Hull on January 22, the game after his apparent disagreement with the club and a big money bid from China for the forward.

However, he seems to have put that behind him, with his display against the Tigers full of commitment and endeavour, and not one that suggests his immediate future lies away from Stamford Bridge.

Costa missed a penalty at Liverpool in midweek, a spot-kick that probably would’ve ended the title race, yet he’ll have to pick himself up as he faces a tough challenge against Laurent Koscielny tomorrow.

The French international has been the bedrock of the Arsenal defence in recent years, this all after an unconvincing start in English football when he moved from Lorient back in 2010.

Yet, the 31-year-old is now one of the best defenders in the league, and has the strength, tenacity, and discipline to frustrate Costa and keep him quiet.

It won’t be quite as easy as that, but if Koscielny can minimise Costa’s influence tomorrow, Arsenal will have a chance of getting the points they need to stay in the title race.