Sunday’s schedule features a superb Premier League clash. In-form Liverpool host Chelsea at Anfield, and they will relish the opportunity to test themselves against one of the big sides on home soil.
With all eyes on Anfield, Twitter (that’s X for the dweebs out there) tipsters @FootyAccums are back again, looking to help you pocket some pennies with their picks for Sunday’s showdown on Merseyside.
Liverpool v Chelsea betting tips
Both teams to score: Yes
Correct score: Liverpool 2-1 Chelsea
WHEN: Sunday 20th of October, 4:30pm
WHERE: Anfield, Liverpool
TV: Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League
Arne Slot’s Liverpool welcome Chelsea to Anfield on Sunday at the beginning of a tough run of fixtures. The Reds face Arsenal, Man City, Bayer Leverkusen, and Real Madrid in the next two months, the ultimate test of the progress Slot is making with his new side.
Just one defeat in ten in all competitions makes the Reds favourites for this one, although Chelsea come into the game in decent form. Enzo Maresca’s team are unbeaten in seven, although a 1-1 home draw with Nottingham Forest last time takes the shine off that a little.
The Anfield meeting between the sides last year saw Liverpool run Chelsea ragged, winning 4-1. Much of the talk going into that game was around the midfield, notably as Chelsea possessed a number of players Liverpool showed interest in. The Reds engine room came out on top that day, with Alexis Mac Allister outperforming his former Brighton teammate Moises Caicedo, whom Liverpool had initially agreed to buy in the summer of 2023.
Midfield was the talking point again this summer at Anfield. However, the early performances of Ryan Gravenberch in a deeper role were pleasantly surprising, begging the question of whether Liverpool need a new ‘No.6’.
Attack will be the area of focus for this one. Chelsea have been racking up goals, with their 16 in the league only bettered by Man City. Cole Palmer is undoubtedly the star for the Blues and continues to excel in a central role. Nicolas Jackson has found his clinical side, with four league goals already in this campaign, whilst Jadon Sancho seems to be settling in well after his summer arrival from Man United.
The Blues will want to test a Liverpool defence that is bereft of first-choice goalkeeper Alisson through injury. However, the Reds’ backline has performed well this season. Slot’s men have only conceded twice in the league and currently lead the way for the lowest xG conceded (5.2).
Liverpool’s attack, meanwhile, is the envy of most. First-choice options Mohamed Salah, Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz are backed up by Federico Chiesa, Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo, giving Slot plenty of options.
Against a Chelsea side that is missing Marc Cucurella and Wesley Fofana and has conceded against Nottingham Forest, Gent, and Brighton in their last three, we expect there will be enough goals for the home side to win.
Liverpool Team News
Alisson’s hamstring injury picked up at Crystal Palace before the international break means Irish stopper Caoimhin Kelleher will probably be between the sticks.
Mac Allister picked up a groin injury in the Palace match but has featured for Argentina, so he will be available if there are no further issues. Chiesa missed the game at Selhurst Park but could be passed fit, while Slot was handed a boost as Virgil van Dijk and Salah were released from their international camps early
Chelsea Team News
Maresca will be forced into a defensive reshuffle this weekend as Cucurella and Fofana’s suspensions mean changes for the trip to Anfield. It’s a blow for the Blues, as both have been regulars for Maresca’s side, starting every league game.
Reece James is back in full training, but this game will likely come too early for his return.
Form Guide
Liverpool go into the weekend top of the Premier League, having won all but one of their league games this season. Since the shock 1-0 loss to Nottingham Forest in mid-September, Slot’s men have won all six games across the league, Champions League and Carabao Cup.
A solitary goal from Jota was enough to earn three points at Crystal Palace. Before that victory, the Reds had beaten Bologna 2-0, Wolves 2-1, West Ham 5-1, Bournemouth 3-0 and AC Milan 3-1.
Chelsea visit Anfield unbeaten in seven, which gives them confidence of getting something from this match. Since beating Bournemouth 1-0 on September 14, Maresca’s side have seen plenty of goals in their games, beating West Ham 3-0, Barrow 5-0 and both Brighton and Gent 4-2.
Their 1-1 home draw to Nottingham Forest reflected some difficulties they’ve had at home, with just one league win from four at Stamford Bridge. However, the Blues have won all three of their away league fixtures.
These two sides met three times last season, with Liverpool victorious at Anfield and at Wembley in the Carabao Cup Final (after extra time). The points were shared in a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge.
Liverpool vs Chelsea – Prediction
Liverpool v Chelsea has a recent history of ending as a draw, with five of the last nine meetings finishing level. If you remove extra time and penalties from the three cup finals they’ve played in that period, that increases to eight out of nine, with the Reds winning the other.
Despite both having new managers this season, Liverpool feel further along in their journey and development, with Slot carrying on the work of Jurgen Klopp, while Chelsea’s summer felt like another attempted reset.
That said, the Blues have impressed under Maresca and have been scoring plenty, so whilst Liverpool’s defence has been resolute, we fancy the visitors will get on the scoresheet.
However, that doesn’t feel like it will be enough to get the points. Chelsea will try to build from the back, and that will suit a Liverpool side that likes to press and can kill teams on the counterattack. Moreover, Chelsea are without key players in defence, and this Liverpool front line knows how to punish any vulnerabilities.
Our prediction, Liverpool 2-1 Chelsea
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Liverpool v Chelsea betting tips
Both teams to score: Yes
Correct score: Liverpool 2-1 Chelsea
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
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