Chelsea welcome Liverpool to Stamford Bridge on Sunday, where even at home there is a sense that they are massive underdogs in the game.
The Blues have had an exciting start to life under manager Frank Lampard with a range of different results and they have eight points from their opening five league games.
But Champions League holders Liverpool are the early pace setters in the Premier League and have a 100 per cent record so far.
Both teams will be looking to send out a real statement at the weekend and a win for either side at Stamford Bridge would be massive.
Chelsea have already faced Liverpool this campaign, where the pair couldn’t be separated after 120 minutes and the latter eventually won on penalties in the UEFA Super Cup.
The key to Chelsea’s positive display on that night was N’Golo Kante, who is the engine room in midfield and would surely get in most people’s world XI.
Kante is an all-action central midfielder that covers every blade of grass when he plays and his relentless energy helped stifle Liverpool.
The 28-year-old has made a knack out of a tremendous work-rate and he’s so intelligent at winning the ball back for his team.
If he’s starting alongside Jorginho and Mateo Kovacic in the Blues midfield, they can be a match for Liverpool’s energetic trio of Fabinho, Jordan Henderson and Georginio Wijnaldum.
Kante has struggled with an ankle injury so far this campaign and played just two league games so far, but Lampard has confirmed (official website) that he’s been back in training.
Lampard didn’t rule him out of the game, but it looks like he will be cautious with his return.
There would be a significant lift at Stamford Bridge if the Frenchman can mark his return to the starting XI against Liverpool and Chelsea certainly need him on the weekend.
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