Chelsea vs Liverpool - Predicted Line-Ups and Stats Preview

Liverpool’s second tricky away game in a week comes in the shape of a trip to South London to play Chelsea. After losing at the Etihad on Boxing Day, Liverpool know a second consecutive defeat will severely damage their title chances. Despite spending Christmas Day top of the table Liverpool have now dropped down to fourth, below Chelsea.

Jose Mourinho’s side built on their 0-0 draw at the Emirates on Monday with a 1-0 victory against Swansea on Thursday. Question marks still remain about Chelsea’s striking prowess, particularly after Samuel Eto’o wasted a couple of glorious chances against the Swans. Depending on results elsewhere Mourinho’s men could end the weekend top of the league and they will be desperate to propel themselves whilst deflating one of their rivals.

Team News

Chelsea

Chelsea and Mourinho have no fresh injury concerns with Ryan Bertrand and Marco van Ginkel remaining the only absentees. Much has been made about the size of Chelsea’s squad and with the games coming thick and fast this is where the size starts to tell.

Liverpool

Like Chelsea Liverpool didn’t pick up any new injuries on Boxing Day so their injury list remains at five. Captain Steven Gerrard could make his return but a comeback is far more likely on New Year’s Day.

Possible Line-Ups

Chelsea

The Chelsea manager sprung a surprise against Swansea, fielding all three of Juan Mata, Eden Hazard and Oscar. It is highly unlikely that he’ll do something similar on the weekend. Eto’o was disappointing and he could be replaced by Fernando Torres.

Despite being on the losing side Luis Suarez still caused havoc in the Manchester City defence and Liverpool’s midfield runners were a constant threat. For that reason I’d expect Mourinho to revert back to a midfield three in order to stifle Liverpool’s attackers.

4-3-3: Cech; Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta; Lampard, Mikel, Ramires; Hazard, Torres, Oscar.

Liverpool

Brendan Rodgers spoke of his disappointment with some calls from the officials at City and Liverpool can consider themselves unlucky to have lost. They caused City more problems that anyone else has at the Etihad and that will have encouraged Rodgers.

Liverpool will fancy themselves against what is a struggling Chelsea side. Jordan Henderson has flourished in Steven Gerrard’s absence and his late running into the penalty area was a real highlight against City.

4-3-3: Mignolet; Johnson, Skrtel, Sakho, Cissokho; Allen, Leiva, Henderson; Sterling, Suarez, Coutinho.

Recent Form

The home side have won three out of their last five including three out of three at home. Jose Mourinho’s unbeaten record at home in the league with Chelsea is still in tact but of course Liverpool were the side to end Chelsea’s home record once Mourinho had left. Liverpool’s defeat against City was their first in five but in those games they’ve scored 18 goals, ominous for Chelsea.

Players to Watch

Chelsea – Eden Hazard

Eden Hazard was earmarked by Jose Mourinho when he returned over the summer as the player he wanted to transform and so far he’s been true to his word. Slowly but surely Hazard is becoming more consistent and he proved to be the match winner against Swansea.

No one at Chelsea can better his performance score of 640 and he’s the club’s top scorer in the league this season with seven. He’s also their chief creator with 46 chances created and four assists registered. With his tricky wing play he’ll be a real test for Glen Johnson.

Liverpool – Luis Suarez

Fairly easy choice this one. Despite missing the first five games of the league season through suspension Suarez is the league’s top scorer with 19 goals. He didn’t score against Manchester City but he was a terror to City’s backline and linked up wonderfully well with his midfielders.

His performance score of 940 is easily the best at the club and also the league. He’s also weighed in with five assists and created 42 chances. He’s been leading the team admirably in Gerrard’s absence and he clearly has an excellent effect on the club’s younger players. He’ll be the one that Chelsea have to keep quiet.

Prediction

Predicting this game is extremely tricky mainly because of the form of the respective sides. Chelsea have rarely looked like they’re firing on all cylinders whilst Liverpool have rarely looked like they aren’t yet the Blues are ahead of their visitors.

Despite Liverpool and Suarez’s excellent form there is just something about Jose Mourinho and Chelsea at home. He has this mystical effect over Stamford Bridge and although records are made to be broken this might not happen on Sunday.

Chelsea 1-1 Liverpool