Kick-off: 1730, 28/08/2021
Stadium: Anfield
TV: Sky Sports
Chelsea can establish themselves as the biggest challenger for Manchester City’s title this season by edging out Liverpool at Anfield.
Both teams have hit the ground running with a couple of Premier League victories so far, but the Blues have been more impressive in our book.
The Reds still look fragile at the back at times and 15/8 for an away win is our first Liverpool vs Chelsea prediction.
A Look At Liverpool’s Betting Odds
The bare stats say Liverpool have started out strongly, winning 3-0 at Norwich before beating Burnley 2-0 on home turf.
Jurgen Klopp can be happy with his attacking weapons, as Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and the increasingly influential Diogo Jota have all been on target.
The Reds boss was also delighted to see Anfield packed out for the first time since March 2020 when the Clarets visited.
Klopp said: “I think our dreams were fulfilled today atmosphere-wise. It was really special.
“How the game was as well, pretty special, because Burnley are Burnley – and Burnley cause you problems.
“We played a good game, we scored two, could have scored more.”
However, Burnley did create several clear-cut chances late on in that contest, while Norwich also had their moments at Carrow Road.
Virgil van Dijk and Joel Matip may still need more time to get back up to full speed following long-term injuries, plus Andy Robertson has been sidelined.
Looking at the Liverpool vs Chelsea odds, we like 9/2 for an away win and both teams to score.
Last Liverpool line-up: Alisson, Van Dijk, Tsimikas, Matip, Alexander-Arnold, Keita, Henderson, Elliott, Mane, Salah, Jota.
Andy Robertson is hoping to return after an ankle injury and Klopp must decide if he starts in place of Kostas Tsimikas. Fabinho is back from compassionate leave and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is in contention after the birth of his first child.
A Look At Chelsea’s Betting Odds
Chelsea brushed aside Crystal Palace 3-0 at Stamford Bridge and then oozed confidence in a 2-0 away victory over Arsenal.
Reece James set up £97.5million recruit Romelu Lukaku for a 15th-minute opener at Emirates Stadium and then struck himself 20 minutes later.
That win was more commanding than the scoreline suggests, as Lukaku bullied the Gunners’ defence for much of the afternoon and was only denied a second goal by a superb Bernd Leno save.
“It was a very good start,” Thomas Tuchel said of Lukaku’s second coming. “Of course, that is the best thing when your striker scores straight away an important goal.
“But on top of it, he linked up very well with Mason Mount and Kai Havertz and gave something to our game.
“I certainly think that nobody likes to play against him, everyone is aware of his physicality and his link-up play and ability to attack the space. He gives another dimension to our game.”
Lukaku does not have a good record versus the Reds, scoring in only three of 17 games against them, but he will still be the focus for Liverpool’s defensive plans.
That could free up space elsewhere and we’re adding 4/1 for Mount to score at any time to our Liverpool vs Chelsea betting tips.
The England midfielder loves to get forward at every opportunity and his superb individual strike proved the decider when the Blues visited Anfield in March.
Last Chelsea line-up: Mendy, Rudiger, Alonso, Christensen, James, Azpilicueta, Jorginho, Kovacic, Mount, Havertz, Lukaku.
Christian Pulisic is a doubt for Chelsea after his positive Covid-19 test, while Kurt Zouma will not be available amid a possible switch to West Ham and also personal issues that required him to return to France this week.
Additional stats
Last result:
LIVERPOOL 2-0 Burnley – Diogo Jota, Sadio Mane
Arsenal 0-2 CHELSEA – Romelu Lukaku, Reece James
Head-to-head: Liverpool 0-1 Chelsea, Chelsea 0-2 Liverpool, Liverpool 5-3 Chelsea, Chelsea 2-0 Liverpool, Chelsea 1-2 Liverpool, Liverpool 2-2 Chelsea
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