Prediction: Liverpool vs Chelsea

Prediction: Both teams to score and draw
Odds: 3/1
Bookmaker: Bet365

The game of the weekend arguably gets underway on Saturday evening as Chelsea travel to Anfield to do battle with Liverpool. The Reds will hope to recover from their trip to Seville as they surrendered a three-goal lead at the Estadio Roman Sanchez Pizjuan while the champions will look to build on their emphatic victory in Azerbaijan mid-week.

Liverpool

Despite their difficult 3-3 result against Sevilla, Liverpool actually head into the home clash against Chelsea in relatively positive form. The Reds have only lost one game out of their last 11 in all competitions, that one defeat coming in the form of a 4-1 thumping at Wembley against Tottenham Hotspur. It is their attack that is in the most inspiring form and should give the team avenue for success. Jurgen Klopp’s troops have amassed an outstanding 24 goals in only their last seven matches.

Their Premier League home form should give them even more encouragement. Liverpool have only lost two out of their last 33 home games in the league, keeping clean sheets in seven out of their last eight matches. They have so far not lost at Anfield so far this season, with their last defeat coming in April. They do however possess the worst defensive record in the top six having conceded 17 goals in only 12 games. Currently sitting fifth in the table, they could jump ahead of Tottenham Hotspur with a victory over the champions.

Team News

Reds boss Jurgen Klopp could see a few key players return for the clash against the Blues. Joel Matip, Emre Can and Adam Lallana are all set to be subjected to a late fitness test. Defender Nathaniel Clyne remains out with a knee injury that is set to keep him out until at least February.

Chelsea

Antonio Conte’s troops travel to Merseyside in a relatively confident mood after their 4-0 victory over Qarabag in the Champions League. The victory in Azerbaijan means that the reigning Champions have notched three victories in a row without conceding in all competitions. As a matter of fact, the champions have won six out of their last seven games – the only reverse being a 3-0 defeat at the hands of AS Roma. The Londoners’ away form has also been extremely promising. They have only lost two games away from Stamford Bridge in league play since mid-January. In fact, the Blues have only conceded four goals during their last eight away games.

Their goal-scoring is also an impressive score and only Manchester City, Manchester United and Liverpool have netted more. As a result, the Blues are sitting pretty in the Premier League and only one point behind Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United. A victory over the Reds could potentially take the champions six points within league leaders Manchester City.

Team News

Conte does have most of his key men to call upon for the trip to Anfield. Victor Moses could return from a hamstring problem but Michy Batshuayi has been ruled out. Charlie Musonda and Kenedy are still both missing.

Key Facts To Consider

• Liverpool have the better record between the two (W77, D39, L61)
• The last game between the two sides ended 1-1 at Anfield in January 2017
• The Reds have not lost to Chelsea in the Premier League since a 2-1 defeat in November 2014
• The Merseysiders have not managed to keep a clean sheet against the Blues in their last 15 clashes
• The last three clashes between the two at Anfield have all ended 1-1

Prediction: Both teams to score and draw
Odds: 3/1
Bookmaker: Bet365