Chris Sutton has made his weekly pre-match prediction ahead of Liverpool versus Chelsea this Sunday afternoon.
Liverpool host Chelsea this weekend as Premier League football returns after the international break.
The Blues, who currently sit fourth, are unbeaten in the league since losing to Manchester City on the opening day. We’ll learn a lot about Enzo Maresca’s side when they make the daunting visit to league leaders Liverpool.
Chelsea defenders Marc Cucurella and Wesley Fofana are both suspended for the Anfield trip. Interestingly, The Mirror recently claimed that Renato Veiga is expected to replace Cucurella at left-back against Liverpool, which will be a big test for the 21-year-old youngster facing Mohamed Salah.
Chris Sutton predicts Liverpool vs Chelsea
BBC pundit Chris Sutton has tipped Liverpool to continue their impressive start to the season with a narrow home victory over Chelsea this weekend.
“Everyone is talking now about the tests coming up for Liverpool, who have started the season with what some people are calling gentler fixtures but, after this game, go to Emirates Stadium next weekend,” Sutton told BBC Sport.
“This is a tough game for them for starters. There has been a great rivalry between these two clubs in the past couple of decades and I don’t think there will be much love lost when they meet on Sunday, either.
“Can Chelsea go to Anfield and dominate Liverpool? I am not so sure. Alisson’s injury is a blow for the Reds but Caoimhín Kelleher is a very capable back-up in goal.
“At the other end, Arne Slot’s playing style seems to suit Mohamed Salah and I am expecting Liverpool’s attacking options to give them the edge.
“Sutton’s prediction: 2-1.”
Fluent attack meets resilient defence
So far, Chelsea have been scoring goals for fun under Maresca. They’ve netted 16 times in their seven Premier League matches. Overall, it’s 28 goals scored in 11 games across all competitions.
However, the Blues are now preparing to take on a Liverpool defence that has been rock solid under Arne Slot. Remarkably, they’ve only conceded twice in the league this season.
We think Chelsea attackers such as Nicolas Jackson, Noni Madueke and Pedro Neto could be such useful tools on the counter-attack this weekend. It’s worth remembering that Liverpool are without first-choice goalkeeper Alisson Becker due to injury, too.
While the Merseyside club are stubborn defensively, it’s worth adding they’re pretty lethal going forward themselves as well.
It’ll send out a real statement of intent to the rest of the division if Chelsea come away with three points on Sunday.
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