Liverpool travel to Stamford Bridge tomorrow for the first of two games in nine days at Chelsea’s West London home. The Reds have drawn three of their last four Premier League games, but go into the match with good memories of their last visit to the ground, when a Raul Meireles goal secured victory just days after Fernando Torres had moved between the two clubs.
Form suggests that neither of these sides should go into the match brimming with confidence. Whilst Liverpool are unbeaten in six in the Premier League, that run has encompassed three wins and three draws, with disappointing points dropped at home against both Norwich and Swansea. Chelsea haved fared little better though, and only three points separate the two sides in the table as André Villas-Boas’ men have lost two of their last three league outings.
There is another factor to concern Reds fans as they head into the game, and that is that in the four matches following international fixtures since Kenny Dalglish’s return to the club, Liverpool are yet to record a win. Draws against Wigan and Manchester United at Anfield at least put points on the board, but defeats at both Stoke and West Brom following extended breaks also have to be taken into consideration and set a trend that must be reversed if the Reds are to secure the win that would pile pressure onto the Chelsea manager.
Team News
Liverpool welcome Jamie Carragher back into contention for selection, and it is expected that the veteran centre back will slot straight into the team for the first time since the Carling Cup victory at Stoke. Luis Suárez is also expected to start despite complaining of a slight back problem whilst away on international duty with Uruguay. The forward certainly comes into the game on form having scored all four goals in his nation’s win over Chile in the World Cup qualifiers.
Steven Gerrard remains the Reds’ only missing player, the club captain still out having had an infected cut on his ankle. Dalglish this week said that his recovery has been very positive, but remained coy on a return date for the midfielder.
Stats
5 – Chelsea have failed to find the net in 5 of their last 7 Premier League games against Liverpool.
38 – Liverpool have conceded just 38 shots on their goal this season, the fewest of any side in the league.
15 – Stewart Downing has taken 15 shots in his last four Premier League games and managed to hit the target with none of them.
425 – Fernando Torres has averaged a goal every 425 minutes since his move to Chelsea. During his time at Anfield he averaged a goal every 121 minutes.
My Prediction
1-2
I’d like to be more optimistic, but for me this game has draw plastered all over it. Two teams who are hardly in the best of form and will be anxious not to lose more than they will to take all three points from the match. Chelsea’s mix leaky defence and sharp attack should make for an entertaining encounter, but I’ll be very surprised if the final outcome is anything other than a share of the spoils.
My starting XI for Sunday’s game
liverpool (probable)
Reina; Johnson, Carragher, Agger, Enrique; downing, Lucas, Adam, bellamy; kuyt, suarez
subs would be: Doni, Kelly, Skrtel, Aurelio, Spearing, Gerrard/Henderson (depending on whether Gerrard is fit), Carroll
Starting XIs
Chelsea (probable)
Cech; Ivanovic, Terry, bosingwa, Cole; Meireles, Ramires, Lampard; Sturridge, Torres, Mata
