A pivotal match in the top four race occurs this week in the Premier League as Liverpool welcomes home in-form Chelsea. The match schedules for Thursday at Anfield with kickoff at 11:15 pm.
The hosts sit one place and one point behind their visitors, and victory for either team will be fit enough to lift them on Champions League spots with fourth-placed West Ham United not in action in midweek.
The top four race is very open, and this week could mean much for cementing a stance for all top sides. Liverpool might have conceded that their title defending season fell short, thus focusing on securing a Champions League spot.
Liverpool’s side down the table has been disappointing while managing to win two games out of 11 before Sunday’s much needed 2-0 triumph over Sheffield United at Bramall Lane. Plenty of problems still exist for Liverpool. Their formidable home run for Anfield came to a strong halt with four consecutive losses.
Liverpool’s winless run at Anfield now stretches back to seven games back to December 16, and they have only scored once in their last five matches at Anfield. It comes at a point where they face off against a defensively solid Thomas Tuchel’s side.
The champions outclassed Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in the reverse fixture, but Thursday’s visitors appear a different proposition under Tuchel.
Liverpool vs Chelsea Head to Head
Both sides have 43 games against each other, with Liverpool taking home 16 wins while Chelsea with 15 wins. Here is a look at their previous encounters:
Home
Sheffield United 0-2 Liverpool
Liverpool 0-2 Everton
RB Leipzig 0-2 Liverpool
Leicester City 3-1 Liverpool
Liverpool 1-4 Manchester City
Away
Chelsea 0-0 Man United
Atletico Madrid 0-1 Chelsea
Southampton 1-1 Chelsea
Chelsea 2-0 Newcastle
Barnsley 0-1 Chelsea
Liverpool Team News
Jurgen Klopp continues to contend with an injury crisis at Anfield with the defensive outlay out with injuries. However, a significant boost will be the returning Fabinho to replace Jordan Henderson. A Nat Philips and Ozan Kabak pairing might mark the side’s 18th defensive pairing this season.
Chelsea Team News
Hudson Oddoi might get a late assessment after coming off during their clash with Manchester United. Tammy Abraham was left out of Sunday’s clash while Timo Werner was featuring off the bench. Reece James might step in to replace Cesar Azpicuelta at the right-back position.
Prediction and Odds
Last time out proved goals galore, but times changed, and we cannot expect the same results this Thursday.
Correct Score: 0-0
Draw
Goals Under 2.5
