Chelsea take on Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on Friday, and this is a game that you would not want to miss!
The Blues, having drawn their last controversial game against Swansea, will be looking to convert this game into a win. Although they drew 2-2, the Blues can take out a lot of positives from that game. A lot of chance creation took place and a the players look like they truly enjoy Conte’s guidance. However, against Liverpool, they will face their most challenging fixture of their season so far, especially with Liverpool’s recent form.
Liverpool, having defeated the champions Leicester City 4-1 last weekend, will enter this game on a high. They’ll have their work cut out for them as they face Chelsea, a side who have averaged at least two goals a game in their opening four league games. The Reds won their last Premier League visit to Stamford Bridge but now they are facing a very different Chelsea side this time around.
Team News
Chelsea
Chelsea have two injury issues surrounding Kurt Zouma – as he remains out – and captain John Terry is unavailable after rolling
his ankle late on against Swansea. David Luiz is in line to make his second Chelsea debut in Terry’s absence.
Liverpool
Liverpool are expected to be without Emre Can, while Mamadou Sakho and Joseph Gomez are both doubts.
Interesting Facts
The teams last played in July this year and Chelsea won the game 1 – 0. Before that they played in May this year and the game ended in a 1 – 1 draw.
Chelsea is second in the Premier League with 10 points having won 3 games and drawn 1. They are two points below Manchester City.
Liverpool is sixth in the Premier League with 7 points having won 2 games, drawn 1 and lost 1. They are one point below Tottenham Hotspur.
Although Liverpool have scored nine goals in the Premier League this season, they have conceded seven.
League Head to Head
11/05/2016 Premier League 2015/2016 Liverpool 1 – 1 Chelsea
31/10/2015 Premier League 2015/2016 Chelsea 1 – 3 Liverpool
10/05/2015 Premier League 2014/2015 Chelsea 1 – 1 Liverpool
27/01/2015 League Cup 2014/2015 Chelsea 0 – 0 Liverpool
20/01/2015 League Cup 2014/2015 Liverpool 1 – 1 Chelsea
08/11/2014 Premier League 2014/2015 Liverpool 1 – 2 Chelsea
Key Men
Chelsea – N’golo Kante
The Frenchman has slipped in seamlessly into his defensive role for Chelsea and has also been compared to former Blue, Claude Makelele, in his style of play and the job he does for his team.
Analysing the difference between Matic and Kante last year, Matic made a measly 63 tackles and 67 interceptions in 28 Premier League matches in comparison to Kante’s 125 tackles and 156 interceptions in 33 matches.
Not only is the Kante an ace in his defensive duties, he plays in a key role in
starting attacks by picking the ball up from the defence and passing it forwards or sideways, keeping the
ball rotating and forcing the opposition to work harder off the ball as they attempt to shuffle from side to side.
Liverpool – Roberto Firmino
Against Leicester City, Firmino who really stood out as he showcased his all-round magic. Everything the 24-year-old did oozed purpose and class, and while certain players of his ilk can be lazy and lack team ethic, his off-ball work was as outstanding as ever.
It was Firmino’s beautifully taken opening goal that completely changed the complexion of the match, though, and it outlined his magic to perfection. He played a part in Mane’s strike, laying off a nicely weighted first-time ball for Henderson, and a typically subtle pass almost led to Sturridge scoring seconds before Lallana made it 3-1.
Prediction
Both teams look solid and this game is likely to end in a 2-2 draw.
