Chelsea vs Liverpool Betting Preview

Kick off: Friday, September 16, 8:00 PM GMT

Venue: Stamford Bridge (London)

Head to head record

Chelsea vs Liverpool 1-0 (2016 International Champions Cup)
Liverpool vs Chelsea 1-1 (2015/2016 Premier League)
Chelsea vs Liverpool 1-3 (2015/2016 Premier League)
Chelsea vs Liverpool 1-1 (2014/2015 Premier League)
Chelsea vs Liverpool 1-0 (2014/2015 League Cup)

Chelsea vs Liverpool prediction

Having dropped two points in a 2-2 draw with Swansea City, Chelsea will be looking to return to winning ways in the Premier League when they take on Liverpool in the opening match of Matchday 5.

Can anyone stop Diego Costa?

Chelsea experienced all sorts of problems under Jose Mourinho last season and, as a result, they do not take part in European competitions this term. The Blues are fully focused on the national championship and they are eager to regain the Premier League trophy. The capital club have been producing fine displays under new boss Antonio Conte, but they failed to keep their 100% record intact at the weekend, with the team sharing the spoils with Swansea City at the Liberty Stadium. Diego Costa scored a brace for Chelsea in the 2-2 draw with the Swans and all eyes will be on the former Atletico Madrid forward when Antonio Conte’s men face Liverpool on Friday night. The Blues are a real force to be reckoned with at home and I would not be surprised if they return to winning ways.

John Terry and Kurt Zouma are both sidelined with injury, but coach Antonio Conte has no other injury worries ahead of the visit of Liverpool. David Luiz is likely to make his Chelsea debut against Jurgen Klopp’s charges.

Blowing hot and cold

Liverpool have been having their ups and downs at the start of the new Premier League campaign. After suffering a shocking loss to Burnley on day 2, the Reds played out a 1-1 draw with Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane in their last away game and they returned to winning ways at the weekend. Jurgen Klopp’s men outclassed title holders Leicester City at their Anfield and they will be looking to build on the performance when they square off against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Friday evening. The Reds are likely to stick to their attacking style of play, but beating Antonio Conte’s team on the road is easier said than done. Roberto Firmino scored a brace for Liverpool in the 4-1 win over Leicester City and he will be the man to watch in the away side. Anyhow, the visitors will be more than happy with one point from the Stamford Bridge showdown.

Dejan Lovren should be fit to play against Chelsea, but Emre Can is definitely out of contention. Joseph Gomez remains in the recovery room as well. Attacking midfielder Coutinho could be recalled to the starting line-up.

Interesting facts

• Chelsea are after their third consecutive win at home
• In their last meeting in the Premier League the two teams shared the spoils (1-1)
• Both teams scored in each of their last four meetings in the English top flight
• Liverpool recorded only one win in previous five away games in the PL
• Chelsea scored 2+ goals in each of their last eight games in all competitions

Chelsea vs Liverpool betting pick

Chelsea were more than unfortunate not to pick up all three points from Sunday’s game against Swansea City. The Blues created a number of clear-cut chances to score in the 2-2 draw with the South Wales outfit and I believe that they are capable of beating Liverpool on Friday evening. The Reds often struggle on the travels and seeing that they were beaten by Burnley in their second away game of the season, home win appears on the cards this time out.

Pick: Chelsea to win

Odds: 13/10