Chelsea vs. Liverpool: Team News, Predicted Lineups, Live Stream, TV Info
It's been billed as Judgement Day for Jose Mourinho, but the Chelsea manager says he isn't concerned for his job heading into his team's game against Liverpool this weekend.
On the back of the fallout from Chelsea's defeat to West Ham United, it was reported this week (per the Mirror) that another loss to the Reds would mean the chop for Mourinho.
Speaking on Friday, the Portuguese cut a confident figure, however, explaining to journalists that being sacked is the last thing on his mind.
"I am not worried about my job. I am not worried about my future," stated the Chelsea boss. "I don't spend one second of my day thinking about it.
"It looks like [the media] want to put a lot of pressure on me in relation to that, where you can't do it. You can't do it."
The pressure isn't just on Mourinho this weekend; it's on his entire team.
For too long Chelsea have disappointed this season, and their position of 15th in the Premier League table is a true reflection of how abject they have been.
While results haven't been forthcoming more recently—Chelsea won just once in October—performances have picked up, though.
There's been a bit more zip about the champions. Despite back-to-back defeats to West Ham United and Stoke City, Chelsea showed good spirit in both encounters, clawing their way back into each game after going behind.
In the latter, Chelsea also enjoyed long spells of dominance.
That's hinted at confidence levels being on the up, but now they must start to turn those encouraging performances into victories, which Mourinho acknowledged.
"I am worried about the results. I am worried about winning [against Liverpool]. I am worried about qualifying for the next round of the Champions League," he added.
"I am worried about recovering positions in the table and to go back to where Chelsea normally has to be."
A win by two goals or more on Saturday will put Chelsea above Liverpool in the table, which is a start.
Match details
Date: Saturday, October 31
Time: 12.45 p.m. GMT/8.45 a.m. ET
Venue: Stamford Bridge, London
TV Info: BT Sport/NBC Sports (U.S. only)
Live Stream: BT Sport app/NBCSN (U.S. only)
Last 5 Games
| Oct. 3 | Chelsea 1-3 Southampton |
| Oct. 16 | Chelsea 2-0 Aston Villa |
| Oct. 20 | Dynamo Kiev 0-0 Chelsea |
| Oct. 24 | West Ham United 2-1 Chelsea |
| Oct. 27 | Stoke City 1-1 Chelsea (AET) |
| Oct. 4 | Everton 1-1 Liverpool |
| Oct. 17 | Tottenham Hotspur 0-0 Liverpool |
| Oct. 22 | Liverpool 1-1 Rubin Kazan |
| Oct. 25 | Liverpool 1-1 Southampton |
| Oct. 28 | Liverpool 1-0 Bournemouth |
Predicted Lineups
Diego Costa and Pedro will undergo late fitness tests ahead of this game. Costa picked up his rib injury midweek against Stoke, while Pedro has been out since victory over Aston Villa.
Thibaut Courtois and Branislav Ivanovic remain on the sidelines, but Nemanja Matic is available after serving a one-match suspension.
As for Liverpool, their injury list is a long one. Kolo Toure (hamstring), Daniel Sturridge (knee), Jordan Rossiter (hamstring), Danny Ings (knee), Joe Gomez (knee), Jordan Henderson (foot) and John Flanagan (knee) are all out.
Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Begovic; Zouma, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta; Matic, Ramires; Willian, Fabregas, Hazard; Diego Costa
Liverpool (4-2-3-1): Mignolet; Clyne, Skrtel, Sakho, Moreno; Lucas, Can; Milner, Lallana, Courtinho; Benteke
Key players
Jose Mourinho spoke glowingly about Eden Hazard in his Friday press conference, explaining he was happy with the Belgian's recent form.
Hazard is Chelsea's talisman, but much like the champions, his start to 2015/16 has been disappointing. We haven't seen the sort of performances that sealed him the PFA Player of the Year award last season.
That said, midweek against Stoke City hinted at Hazard coming back to his best. He played with more authority in the Capital One One game and came close to taking Chelsea through to the quarter-final.
He may have missed the decisive penalty in the shootout, but he needs to build on that display, starting against Liverpool.
Liverpool's imposing striker Christian Benteke is expected back in the starting lineup on Saturday after recovering from injury.
Benteke has been sidelined with a knee injury recently, so his return is the sort of news Jurgen Klopp would have wanted heading into what is his biggest game to date as Liverpool boss.
Benteke isn't just a big threat, he's Liverpool's biggest threat.
Daniel Sturridge continues to struggle with injury, so the Reds need their Belgian on top form as without him they lack any real punch up front.
Expect him to test Gary Cahill and John Terry.
Prediction
Chelsea 3-0 Liverpool
Odds
Home Win: -106
Away Win: -282
Draw: +242
First Goalscorer: Eden Hazard (7/1)
*Odds via Odds Shark and Oddschecker
Garry Hayes is Bleacher Report's lead Chelsea correspondent. All quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow him on Twitter @garryhayes
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