Chelsea vs Liverpool betting tips: Clinical Liverpool to beat work in progress Chelsea
Mauricio Pochettino will take charge of Chelsea for the first time as they face Liverpool at Stamford Bridge live on Sky Sports.
Date, KO time and TV coverage
Premier League, Sunday, August 13, Kick-off 4.30pm BST, live on Sky Sports Main Event
Predicted score
Chelsea 1-2 Liverpool
Team news
Chelsea will be without new star striker Christopher Nkunku who won’t be around for several months due to knee surgery.
That’s not the only issue for the Blues. Wesley Fofana and Benoit Badiashile are unavailable while Noni Madueke (hamstring) and Armando Broja (knee) are major doubts.
Liverpool, on the other hand, are without Connor Bradley (hip). The match could also come too soon for Thiago Alcantara and Stefan Bajcetic who are continuing their recovery.
Jurgen Klopp is likely to start with new signings Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai.
Chelsea vs Liverpool Verdict
It’s fair to say that Chelsea and Liverpool haven’t produced many classics in recent encounters. Four consecutive 0-0 draws speak for themselves.
Despite the drab nature of this fixture, Chelsea did produce an xG of 3.82 during last season’s meeting, highlighting that their main issue has been scoring goals.
Liverpool were arguably second best in recent meetings, less so at Anfield. In fact, the Reds have failed to create a single Opta-defined big chance despite firing off 18 shots.
The lack of goals in this fixture hasn’t been for the wanting of trying – it’s been through a lack of offensive quality. A lot praise must also be given to the defences.
Kalidou Koulibaly, Thiago Silva, Wesley Fofana and Benoit Badiashile produced some of their highest markets of the season during the 0-0 draws.
However, Chelsea’s back four will have an entirely difference look to it this time with Ruben Colwill likely partnering Axel Disasi in defence, the latter of whom is being thrown in at the deep end.
The midfield is also far from the finished product. Moises Caicedo and Tyler Adams could provide reinforcements though Pochettino still has work to do when it comes to gelling his side.
The Blues are not lacking in quality, but they are lacking in depth and fielding new partnerships, in a new system, and under a new manager.
Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool have strengthened with the additions of Mac Allister and Szoboszlai. But while they’re all quality players, the Reds will also need time to come together.
Having the option of Mo Salah, Diogo Jota, Cody Gakpo, Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz in attack gives them a dangerous quintet Chelsea could only dream of.
Despite this, it would be foolish to write off Mauricio’s men. We may be leaning towards the visitors to win, but with the caveat that we don’t know how well Chelsea may perform under their new coach.
It’s feasible they hit the ground running and the level of their performance allows them to match Liverpool, but their current squad on paper doesn’t, and one side looks far more clinical.
The concern for Liverpool is that while they have the firepower, they’ve been wide open during pre-season and it looks inevitable they’ll concede high-quality chances.
