Premier League preview: Chelsea v Liverpool

Chelsea return to Stamford Bridge for the first time since their 5-3 defeat to Arsenal, when they welcome Liverpool on Sunday.

The eagerly anticipated Premier League encounter is sure to be fascinating, with both sides playing second-fiddle to the likes of Manchester City and Manchester United in this season’s title race so far.

But both possess the squad to seriously trouble the two teams from Manchester and a win in such a high-profile fixture could provide the platform for a title challenge in the second half of the season.

Chelsea manager Andres Villas-Boas has faced some pressure in recent times, in particular after that home defeat to Arsenal and things will not get easier in the next couple of months.

In addition to their match against Liverpool, in league action before Christmas Chelsea face Manchester City (first in the Premier League), Newcastle United (third) and Tottenham (fifth), while they will also meet Liverpool in the Carling Cup, which is sandwiched in between Champions League matches against Bayer Leverkusen and Valencia.

With such a tricky period ahead, a home win against Liverpool is essential to give the Blues some momentum.

Villas-Boas will be hoping for an inspired performance from former Reds favourite Fernando Torres, who is sure to be the subject of much criticism from the away supporters after his 50 million pound switch from Anfield in last season’s January transfer window.

Torres – who has just three goals in 22 Premier League matches for Chelsea – scored in consecutive matches against Manchester United and Swansea City earlier this season, only to be suspended for almost a month after a red card which robbed him of any momentum.

But Sunday will give him the perfect chance to silence his critics and prove himself on the big stage, and with Chelsea averaging more than two goals a Premier League game, you would not bet against the Spaniard finding the back of the net.

Liverpool have been quite resolute in defence this season though, conceding just 10 goals in 11 Premier League fixtures, with goalkeeper Pepe Reina keeping four clean sheets this season.

The Reds will miss influential skipper Steven Gerrard through injury but will hope Luis Suarez can show the same form he showed when on international duty recently, with the Uruguayan bagging four goals in a sensational solo display against Chile.

This encounter ended 1-0 in Liverpool’s favour in February courtesy of a Raul Meireles goal, in what was Torres’ Chelsea debut.