Liverpool vs Chelsea Prediction

Premier League table toppers Liverpool face their toughest test of the season thus far when a revitalized Chelsea side visit Anfield on Sunday afternoon.

Both sides have had a surge in form under their respective new managers, and occupy two of the top four spots. Both the fans and the media will have plenty to talk about after the first meeting between Arne Slot and Enzo Maresca. Taking both of their styles into account, this one looks set to be a box office clash.

As Super Sunday approaches, here is everything you need to know about both sides ahead of kick-off.

Key Statistics

• Liverpool have a watertight defensive record, conceding just two goals in the league along with keeping five clean sheets.
• They are also unbeaten against Chelsea in their last nine meetings, a run stretching back to March 2021.
• Chelsea are the Premier League’s second highest scorers with 16, and have scored 17 goals in their last five games in all comps.
• They are also ranked 2nd in the league for away form, winning three out of three games so far when traveling in the Premier League.

Liverpool Preview

Liverpool Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1): Caoimhin Kelleher (GK); Andrew Robertson, Virgil Van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate, Trent Alexander-Arnold; Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch; Luis Diaz, Dominic Szoboszlai, Mohamed Salah; Diogo Jota.

Liverpool have made a superb start to life under Arne Slot. With Jurgen Klopp departing last season, many expected there to be some form of hangover, perhaps characterized by a poor run of form at the start of the season.

But the squad has taken to Arne Slot’s vision like a flock of ducks to water, and they sit at the summit of the Premier League mountain as a result. Conceding just two goals in seven games, and suffering just one defeat in the process, Liverpool’s outstanding attacking options mean they are almost guaranteed to outscore anyone put in front of them.

However, their apparently perfect defensive recipe has been altered with the absence of Alisson, who was subbed off injured in the Reds’ 1-0 win over Crystal Palace with a hamstring injury. Kelleher will act as a very capable stand-in, but it remains to be seen how Slot’s tactics will be altered without his first-choice keeper.

Chelsea Preview

Chelsea Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1): Robert Sanchez (GK); Renato Veiga, Levi Colwill, Tosin Adarabioyo, Malo Gusto; Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo; Jadon Sancho, Cole Palmer, Noni Madueke; Nicolas Jackson.

Enzo Maresca has made a similarly outstanding start, also losing just one Premier League game (a 2-0 defeat to Man City), and leading Chelsea to fourth place after seven games.

The Italian’s system has seen improvement in a number of players, such as Noni Madueke, Moises Caicedo and Nicolas Jackson, while Cole Palmer has thrived, arguably even more so than in his debut season last year.

Chelsea’s attack has really clicked in the early part of the campaign, something that they haven’t been able to say for three or four years, and as a result are the second top scorers in the league with 16, just one behind Manchester City.

They have also so far avoided injury crisis, something that has blighted them over the last few seasons, and may even have captain Reece James back from yet another injury lay-off, although he will likely only make a cameo from the bench. They will only be missing Wesley Fofana and Marc Cucurella for this one through a build up of yellow cards.

Liverpool vs Chelsea Head to Head

Recent meetings:

• 25/02/2024: Liverpool 1-0 Chelsea.
• 31/01/2024: Liverpool 4-1 Chelsea.
• 13/08/2024: Chelsea 1-1 Liverpool.
• 04/04/2023: Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool.
• 21/01/2023: Liverpool 0-0 Chelsea.

Historical Head to Head - Liverpool: 30. Drawn: 25. Chelsea: 29.

Liverpool vs Chelsea Betting Tip

So, both sides come into this one in excellent form, and are teams of contrast: Liverpool with an extra-ordinary defensive record, and Chelsea with a dangerous attacking quartet. This looks set to be one of the most entertaining installments of this fixture in recent years.

I do think Liverpool will win this one, and as a Chelsea fan, it hurts me to say. However, Slot has a more mature team, and crucially has a core of players used to competing for league and cup titles with regularity, something which Chelsea’s youthful side lacks.

Liverpool vs Chelsea Final Prediction

Liverpool 2-1 Chelsea

Given Chelsea’s mesmerizing forward play, they will score. However, their defense is yet to convince this season, and if Liverpool are able to tear it apart more than once, then they should have enough to take away the three points.