Chelsea meet Liverpool for the second time in four days on Saturday evening as the two title-rivals clash in the Premier League. Wednesday’s meeting was a thrilling encounter at Anfield, with Chelsea coming from a goal down to defeat the Reds in the Carabao Cup, with a superb goal from Eden Hazard proving to be decisive and knock Jurgen Klopp’s team out of the Cup.
Hazard has been Chelsea’s star player this season, contributing five goals and two assists in six games so far and it looks as if the rest at the start of the season has benefited the Belgian. He’s looked irresistible at times and new manager Maurizio Sarri has backed the player to score 40 goals in the season.
Liverpool have also been excellent this season, winning their first six games for just the second time in their history. They’ve backed up their pre-season credentials as title challengers and there have been some impressive performances from some of their players, including James Milner, who’s enjoying an excellent run of form in the twilight of his career. Mohamed Salah has yet to hit the heights of last season, but he did score against Southampton last week, while Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino have also been unplayable at times.
The game against Chelsea though will be a significant test for the Reds and will be a good examination of whether they’re genuine title contenders or if they’re pretenders.
Chelsea vs. Liverpool Predictions
Both teams will be much-changed from midweek, but it’s an intriguing match-up. Winning at Anfield on Wednesday will have boosted the confidence of Sarri’s team and they’re good value to pick up the three points this weekend.
Chelsea vs. Liverpool Betting Tips
Head to Head
- The two sides have met 179 times before, with Liverpool winning 77 of those, Chelsea 62, and the teams sharing 40 draws.
- Chelsea took four points off Liverpool last season with a 1-0 home win and 1-1 draw at Anfield.
- Liverpool are looking to win their first seven matches of a top-flight campaign for only the second time, after doing so in 1990/91. Chelsea are the only side to winning their opening seven Premier League fixtures, in 2005/06.
- Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud has five goals in his last six Premier League starts against Liverpool, including the winner in this fixture last season.
- Liverpool’s run of 14 league matches without a clean sheet against Chelsea is their longest such run against a specific opponent in the top flight since a streak of 17 against Blackburn.
- Chelsea can claim consecutive home Premier League victories over Liverpool for the first time since a run of three wins between October 2004 and September 2006.
Chelsea Team News
After resting a number of key players in midweek, Maurizio Sarri is expected to recall them to his squad for the weekend. Eden Hazard is likely to start, while Jorginho and David Luiz are also likely to return to the starting 11 over Cesc Fabregas and Gary Cahill.
Probable Chelsea XI: Kepa Arizzabalaga, Cesar Azpilicueta, David Luiz, Antonio Rudiger, Marcos Alonso, Jorginho, N’Golo Kante, Mateo Kovacic, Pedro, Olivier Giroud, Eden Hazard
Liverpool Team News
Alisson is expected to return instead of Simon Mignolet in goal, while Andy Robertson will replace Alberto Moreno at left back. Daniel Sturridge is likely to drop to the bench as Roberto Firmino, Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane start in attacking positions.
Probably Liverpool XI: Alisson Becker, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil Van Dijk, Joe Gomez, Andy Robertson, James Milner, Naby Keita, Georginio Wijnaldum, Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino, Mohamed Salah
@dominictrant