Chelsea Welcome Premier League Champs with Eyes on Champions League

Chelsea vs Liverpool

The newly crowned Premier League champions are coming to Stamford Brdge this Sunday and Champions League chasing Chelsea will want to lay down a marker.

The question on the lips of this SBOTOP writer, though, is can they actually turn it on when up against the sides above them?

Manager Enzo Maresca has seen his side fail to beat Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester City in five previous attempts this term and, as they aim to hold off the challenge of City, Newcastle and Nottingham Forest in the race to sneak into the top five, a win in this one could well be imperative.

 

Talking Points

Although they were in European action on Thursday, in the shape of the very poor cousin that is the Europa Conference, freshness should not be an issue for the home side as they look to deliver Premier League 2025 highlights.

After all, Maresca has a squad around the 40-player mark and rested key men against the minnows of Djurgarden of Sweden.

The likes of Moises Caicedo, reigning young player of the year Cole Palmer and Pedro Neto started on the bench in the tie and will all surely begin in the league encounter.

Their bid for Champions League football certainly received a boost on the same evening when Forest went down to a surprise 2-0 home defeat at the hands of Brentford.

Maresca has confirmed that both goalkeeper Robert Sanchez and frontman Christopher Nkunku will require fitness tests, with the former expected to have the better chance of being involved, although the Italian did hint their rest was more precautionary than enforced.

I would not be surprised if both are involved, although Nkunku may be involved from the bench.

Malo Gusto is a doubt, set for a late fitness test after picking up a thigh issue against Everton last weekend.

The home side remain without Wesley Fofana, Marc Guiu and Mykhailo Mudryk, who are dealing with long-term injuries or suspensions.

In contrast, Liverpool have a relatively clear injury list. Right back Conor Bradley will likely return from a knock, while Joe Gomez remains out with a long-term hamstring injury.

Liverpool may rest a few players with the championship sewn up but don’t expect footballer of the year elect Mohamed Salah to be one of them as the Egyptian he chases a record.

After bagging top-flight goal number 28 for the season against Spurs last Sunday, Salah needs one more goal to equal the all-time best for an over-30 player in a Premier League campaign, set by Didier Drogba in 2009-10.

 

History

After the two domestic cup finals in 2022 when Liverpool both times defeated Chelsea in a penalty shoot-out following a goalless draw, there had been three draws between the sides in the league.

That was until the early part of last year when the Merseysiders took control again and a 4-1 home league victory had Liverpool fans dreaming of the title.

When they met just under a month later, Chelsea were unable to take advantage against their injury-hit opponents and were beaten again, this time conceding two minutes from the end of extra-time as Virgil van Dijk’s header settled the League Cup Final at Wembley.

Earlier this season, Curtis Jones grabbed the winner as Liverpool won 2-1 at home following goals from Salah (penalty) and Nicolas Jackson.

Overall, Chelsea have 65 victories in all competitions in their head-to-head meetings, Liverpool have 87 successes and there have been 47 draws.

They last met at Stamford Bridge on the opening weekend of last season and shared a draw as Luis Diaz and Axel Disasi traded first half goals.

This fixture has been a bleak one for Chelsea in recent years as they’re winless in 10 meetings with Liverpool. That said, eight have been drawn after 90 minutes.

 

Betting Tip

Perhaps because Chelsea have got something to play for and Liverpool haven’t, the Premier League 2025 betting odds make the hosts slight favourites and they are available 1X2 @ 2.17 and Asian Handicap -0.50, also @ 2.17.

The Merseysiders are priced 1X2 @ 2.88 and Asian Handicap 0.00 @ 2.33.

With Champions League qualification on the line and momentum on their side, they may just catch Liverpool out.

The draw will pay out @ 3.40, while a re-run of their meeting at Stamford Bridge in the corresponding game of last season, when the sides grabbed a goal apiece, makes an attractive option.

Those odds seem too good for me so my *** tip is a 1-1 Draw with Correct Score @ 7.10.

   

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