Premier League giants Chelsea takes on Liverpool at Stamford Bridge as the English heavyweights kick off their respective seasons on Sunday.
Mauricio Pochettino leads his side for the first time in a competitive match, aiming to begin his tenure with a favourable outcome.
After a challenging previous season, Chelsea secured a 12th-place finish in the Premier League, but the arrival of the Argentine manager has rejuvenated their aspirations.
Jurgen Klopp’s team also had a subpar season, falling short of their usual performance levels. Their fifth-place finish led to a frustrating absence from the Champions League.
However, following a goal-rich pre-season, Klopp’s squad seems reenergized and determined to compete for top positions in the league once more.
Chelsea vs Liverpool: Head-to-head record
Last meeting between the two sides: Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool
In the Premier League, Liverpool and Chelsea have crossed paths 55 times. The Reds have secured victory in 21 of those matches, while the Blues have emerged triumphant 20 times. The remaining 14 encounters concluded in draws.
Liverpool’s recent league dominance during the past two seasons has led to Klopp’s team prevailing in the last two meetings against Chelsea.
In September of the previous year, Liverpool secured a 2-1 win at Stamford Bridge, and in March 2019, Chelsea suffered a 2-0 defeat at Anfield.
However, in the FA Cup fixture in March, Frank Lampard’s squad achieved a remarkable 2-0 victory over Liverpool at Stamford Bridge.
Preseason form:
Chelsea form: D, W, W, D, W
Liverpool form: D, W, D, W, L
Chelsea vs Liverpool: Team News
Chelsea
Christopher Nkunku, a recent addition to Chelsea’s squad, will be unavailable due to an injury sustained in pre-season. The French star will undergo knee surgery for meniscus damage, resulting in an extended period on the sidelines.
Nicolas Jackson, another new signing, is anticipated to take on the forward role, and Levi Colwill, a returning loanee, might start in the central defence position.
Benoit Badiashile and Noni Madueke are both recovering from injuries, with Badiashile unlikely to participate in the initial matches of the season.
Liverpool
Concerning Liverpool, they are still in pursuit of a defensive midfielder, as indicated by Alexis Mac Allister’s involvement in a deeper position during their last pre-season match.
Jurgen Klopp faces a challenging decision with multiple players, including Mohamed Salah, Diogo Jota, Luis Diaz, Cody Gakpo, and Darwin Nunez, vying for attacking roles.
For the upcoming season opener, Thiago and Stefan Bajetic are the only two Liverpool players dealing with fitness issues.
Our Prediction:
We expect both sides to be in their best shape as it is their first match of the season. They will be energetic throughout the encounter but still expect fewer goals from this match.
Pochettino’s young boys will be hungrier for goals and we expect them to score first followed by a strong reply from Liverpool. The match is likely to result in a draw with both sides sharing one point.
Our Final Match Scoreline: Chelsea 1-1 Liverpool
