Chelsea hosts Liverpool Sunday in what is the Premier League’s no doubt, can’t miss it, match of the weekend. It’s a game that could determine who completes the top four and returns to UEFA Champions League next season. So there’s a lot on the line in this one, a match that renews what’s been a very even Steven all time series.
The Reds lead Chelsea 77-61 all time, with 40 draws to boot. In the Premier League era, they are dead even, at 19 wins a piece; and 13 draws.
In taking a look at the team news and injury situation, we’ll start first with the hosts. Chelsea welcome back Marcos Alonso, who just completed his three-match suspension. However, we may have lost his first team place to transfer window addition Emerson Palmieri, who’s been showing great form lately.
David Luiz (knee) and Ethan Ampadu (ankle) are guaranteed absentees, while the former could return the following week. Danny Drinkwater is also a doubt due to his calf issue.
For Liverpool, Joel Matip, Emre Can, Adam Lallana and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain all out of the picture for his one.
Oxlade-Chamberlain has been ruled out for the season (and the World Cup) due to a knee injury. Lallana (thigh) and Can (back) are still more than a week away from returning, but Joe Gomez (ankle) is in contention to potentially come back this week.
Jurgen Klopp press conference video, notable quotables: Go to this link
Antonio Conte press conference video, notable quotables: go to this link
Chelsea Starting XI Prediction: go to this link
Liverpool Starting XI Prediction: go to this link
Betting Odds: Chelsea win: 23/20 Liverpool FC win: 9/4 Draw: 5/2
Prediction: Chelsea 4, Liverpool FC 3
As always, feel free to post your own starting XIs and/or final score predictions in the comments section below.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, currently contributes regularly to WGN CLTV and the Tribune company’s blogging community Chicago Now.
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