CHELSEA vs Liverpool: Preview

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So, it’s Liverpool for us today and obviously with us both level on points, it’s drumming up a little more excitement in the press than usual.  We’re also the two remaining unbeaten teams in the Premier League this season and it’s our first meeting since our semi-final win against them in the Champions League, so maybe there’s an added edge to this one.

Luiz Felipe Scolari certainly isn’t underestimating Liverpool anyway, stating “They are dangerous because they have a good team with good players. They are very organised. They haven’t lost a game this season when, sometimes, they were losing in the last five or 10 minutes, they still managed to change those results.  That’s the best thing about Liverpool for me. They changed the results because they played as a team. That’s what I want from my team.  The respect is mutual. They don’t have one magical player. They have a good team and it’ll be a fantastic game on Sunday. We’ll try to win, for sure.”

Despite rumours to the contrary mid-week, it appears Chelsea will go into this game without Didier Drogba.  Michael Ballack and Michael Essien remain out, however, Scolari is optimistic over a return for Ashley Cole.  Liverpool, on the other hand, expect the three players they substituted against Atletico Madrid mid-week to have made a full recovery.  So, Steven Gerrard (tiredness), Robbie Keane (groin) and Xabi Alonso should all feature.  Fernando Torres however, appears to be struggling to get back for this one.

On the Liverpool striker, Benitez says “Everyone knows Torres is a key player for us, he scores and we win games. But we have won plenty of games without him, and we have enough confidence in our squad to do so again.  Without him it will be a different style of play, but we know we can manage.  But we will have to step up a gear. If you want to have a chance in the future of achieving, if you want to keep players at this level (of performance), we need to beat this sort of team.  We have the mentality to win this one, maybe after so long unbeaten at home for Chelsea in the league, it is time.”

Mind you, the Liverpool manager doesn’t seem unduly concerned about the striker’s absence, stating “We are at the top of the table with Chelsea having not played our best yet. We are playing well but we can improve.  And we do not have Torres, but I believe we have the firepower to beat Chelsea. We have been playing well and have good confidence.”

Obviously, the supporters are equally as confident, which is why they’ve felt the need to drone on about ‘history’ all week. So, in order to keep them happy, I’ll stick with the theme and remind them that whilst we don’t have 18 league titles under our belts, we have won titles within the last 18 years, and we have won them within the Premier League.

 

CLUB FORM 

CHELSEA

Chelsea have won the last 3 games without conceding and are on the longest current run in the Premier League of 16 matches, since conceding more than a single goal in a game. Have scored in all of their last 20 games, in fact Liverpool were the last opponents to hold them to a 0-0 scoreline in the Premier League. Chelsea remain the only club with an unbeaten record in the Premier League this year, winning 21 and drawing 8 since December 2007 and have not lost a game in 86 at Stamford Bridge.

LIVERPOOL

Won the last three league games. Won 11 and drawn four of the last 15 Premier League matches. Liverpool have the strongest second-half form of any Premier League club, ending the half leading in six and drawing in two. Last 8 away games unbeaten, (won five and drawn three).

 

HEAD TO HEAD 

Both last season’s two league meetings between Chelsea and Liverpool were drawn. Liverpool have only registered one win from their 16 Premier League visits to Stamford Bridge; Liverpool have dropped more Premier League points to Chelsea away from home than to any other team on their travels (41).

 

Home and away

League (inc PL): Chelsea 44 wins, Liverpool 58, Draws 28
Prem: Chelsea 14 wins, Liverpool 11, Draws 7

at Chelsea only

League (inc PL): Chelsea 36 wins, Liverpool 15, Draws 14
Prem: Chelsea 11 wins, Liverpool 1, Draws 4

 

LAST SEASON

Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool

10 February 2008 - Ref: Mike Riley

 

PREDICTION 

I think I’d usually have a tendency to predict a bore draw for this one, however, Liverpool’s best start to the season for 12 years and the fact that they seem to be having everyone’s share of good fortune so far, has me toying with the nightmare scenario that could see the scousers of all people ending our ridiculously long unbeaten home run.

 

 TEAMS

Chelsea (from): Cech, Cudicini, Hilario, Ferreira, Bridge, A Cole, Mikel, Ivanovic, Alex, Terry, Carvalho, Lampard, Sinclair, Mancienne, Belletti, Anelka, Malouda, Stoch, Kalou, Deco, Bosingwa.

Liverpool (from): Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Agger, Hyypia, Dossena, Aurelio, Babel, Benayoun, Gerrard, Mascherano, Alonso, Kuyt, Keane, Pennant, Riera, Lucas, Ngog, Cavalieri

REFEREE

Howard Webb (Yorkshire)