Chelsea v Liverpool- Preview, Predictions, and Best Bets

Chelsea faces Liverpool at Stamford Bridge. The Blue sacked Graham Potter after just seven wins in 22 matches in charge. The Reds have lost three matches in a row and have fallen eight points off the top four. These sides played out a dour 0-0 draw in the reverse fixture at Anfield.

Chelsea Form

The axe has fallen on Graham Potter at Chelsea. After overseeing a terrible run of one win in 11 matches. The side fired seven blanks during that run with just four goals netted. A good second half couldn’t prevent a 1-0 loss at Dortmund before a defeat to 20th-placed Southampton at home (1-0). They finally got back to winning ways by beating Leeds 1-0 at home.

Two further wins followed, 2-0 at home to Dortmund (40% possession) before winning 3-1 at Leicester despite allowing 2.52 Expected Goals. Since then, there have been two poor home results. Two leads were squandered in a 2-2 home draw with Everton. On Saturday, Aston Villa came to Stamford Bridge and won 2-0.

Chelsea Team News

Caretaker coach Bruno Salter is expected to be without injured defenders Wesley Fofana and Thiago Silva. Benoit Badiashile could be recalled whether it’s a back three or a back four. Edouard Mendy could return to the subs bench after a broken finger.

In midfield, N’Golo Kante is pushing for a first start in many months whilst Mason Mount is hoping for a recall. Raheem Sterling is touch-and-go but Mykhailo Mudryk is set to be dropped to the bench regardless after some below-par performances.

Chelsea Motivation

After Potter’s sacking, there should be a “new manager bounce” for both the players and the crowd. Motivation should be higher than in recent weeks.

Chelsea will go all out to win and try to gain some momentum before the Champions League resumes.

Liverpool Form

Liverpool have lost their last three matches, all away from home. They seemed to have turned a corner after four losses in seven with lots of goals being leaked. They kept five successive clean sheets in the league with a 5-2 home loss to Real Madrid in-between that. A 7-0 home win against Man Utd from eight shots on target seemed to signal a return to their best.

They could only follow that up by losing 1-0 at bottom-placed Bournemouth as Mo Salah missed a penalty. A 1-0 loss away to Real Madrid confirmed their exit from the UEFA Champions League. Over the weekend, they were thoroughly outclassed in a 4-1 loss at Man City despite leading 1-0. They produced just 0.33 xG and allowed 2.96 Expected Goals, 17 shots, and 68% possession.

Liverpool Team News

There are five injuries for Jurgen Klopp to contend with. Thiago Alcantara, Naby Keita, and Stefan Bajcetic are all missing from a struggling midfield. James Milner could come into the trio for extra experience and defensive nous.

Winger Luis Diaz is still missing although he is nearing a return to the squad. Darwin Nunez and Roberto Firmino are options to come into the attack if Klopp wants to make some changes. Joe Gomez may get a start in place of Trent Alexander-Arnold, who has struggled defensively of late.

Liverpool Motivation

Liverpool needs to win at Stamford Bridge to try to close the gap to the top four.

Their away form is dire so a more defensive approach could be seen with less emphasis on trying to dominate possession but rather playing on transitions.

Key Stats

Chelsea have won 3 of their last 5 matches (all competitions)

CFC have failed to score in 11 of their last 20 matches (all comps)

CFC have scored 2 goals in a match just 4 times in their last 20 fixtures

Liverpool have lost 8 of their last 12 away matches

LFC have just 3 wins in 14 away EPL matches this season (8 losses)

Liverpool have failed to score in 4 of their last 6 away EPL matches

Verdict

This match seems impossible to predict. Chelsea have been dire of late but they have a great squad and could hit a strong run of upcoming form. Liverpool are bad on their travels so it may be a good risk to bet on the Blues to get the win.