By the time the fixture kicks off on Saturday evening, Liverpool might not be sitting in 1st position on the log again.
Chelsea may seem to have found their mojo back after defeating Jose Mourinho’s Benfica in the UEFA Champions League to record their second win from six matches. Still, Liverpool, on the other hand, seems to be losing its grip after consecutive losses to Crystal Palace and Galatasaray, respectively, with the latter coming in the UEFA Champions League match.
Match Preview
Named as one of the dark horses to win the league title this season, Chelsea’s abysmal start to the season may have some people rethinking their prediction for the end of the season, as Enzo Maresca’s side has taken just eight points from a possible 18 thus far.
Last weekend’s match against Brighton & Hove Albion wasn’t the first time poor discipline has cost the Club World Cup Champions, with the Seagulls being on the back foot until Trevor Chalobah got his marching orders and changed the trajectory of the game as Brighton ran out eventual 3-1 winners courtesy of a Danny Welbeck double.
Having just one point from their last three Premier League games after taking seven from the first nine, Chelsea already find themselves seven points behind the league leaders and will also be looking at a long list of injury absentees, which they would also have to deal with.
Since the beginning of the 2024/25 Premier League season, Chelsea has received a total of 118 cards—114 yellow and 4 red—more than any other team. Additionally, the Blues received a red card in their most recent Champions League match on Tuesday. However, the red card didn’t affect the outcome of the result.
Chelsea would be looking to avoid losing three straight Premier League Games for the first time since the spring of 2023, when Frank Lampard was at the helm.
Also looking to avoid a third consecutive defeat in all competitions will be the reigning champions, Liverpool, who haven’t looked like the side that dominated the league last season.
Despite scoring late goals over the past week, their goal last weekend wasn’t enough to earn a point against Crystal Palace, as Eddie Nketiah's last-minute winner ended Liverpool's perfect start to the season.
None of Liverpool's first five league wins have been convincing, and doubts further crept in midweek when Galatasaray condemned Arne Slot's side to a shocking 1-0 defeat in the Champions League, thanks to a Victor Osimhen penalty. Losing back-to-back games for only the second time under their current manager.
Liverpool may not start the game at the top of the table. Arsenal, who have cut the gap down to two points by edging past Newcastle United, could potentially move ahead of them if they overcome struggling West Ham at 3 PM. The Reds don’t have a favorable record at Stamford Bridge, as Liverpool are winless in their last four Premier League away games at Chelsea. Last season's 3-1 defeat occurred after they had already won the league championship.
Team News
Despite Joao Pedro's midweek sending off, he can still participate in the Premier League. However, center back Chalobah will serve a one-match domestic ban following his dismissal during the loss to Brighton.
Chalobah joins suspended Mykhaylo Mudryk, Dario Essugo (thigh), Tosin Adarabioyo (calf), Cole Palmer (groin), Liam Delap (thigh), and Levi Colwill (knee) on the sidelines, while both Fofana and Andrey Santos need once-overs.
Maresca said he would be without “seven or eight players” when asked at his press conference, but did not give specifics on Fofana and Santos, whose condition remains up in the air.
If Fofana is not cleared to return from concussion protocol this weekend, Josh Acheampong will likely serve as an emergency center back alongside teenager Jorrel Hato if Badiashile is not ready for two consecutive starts.
Not only did Liverpool lose to Galatasaray, they also lost their goalkeeper, as Allison Becker was taken off due to a groin injury, and Slot has already ruled him out of this clash.
Another casualty over the week was Hugo Ekitike, though there is still optimism that his thigh injury will settle down in time for the clash. Though Liverpool might not be too bothered about that, as they have Alexander Isak waiting to take his place, with the Swede looking to score at Stamford Bridge for the third year running.
Slot will be bolstered with the return of Federico Chiesa from an unspecified injury, but new signing Giovanni Leoni remains out with an ACL.
Chelsea's possible starting lineup:
Sanchez; James, Hato, Badiashile,Cucurella; Fernandez, Caicedo; Estevao, Buonanotte, Neto; Pedro
Liverpool's possible starting lineup:
Mamardashvili; Frimpong, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Mac alister, Gravenberch; Salah, Szoboszlai, Gakpo; Ekitike
Chelsea 1-1 Liverpool
Having scored in each of their last eight matches, Chelsea has demonstrated their ability to score goals. Additionally, Liverpool's poor record at Stamford Bridge makes this an interesting matchup.
Considering Chelsea's absentees, it's difficult to support them.
