Chelsea and Liverpool expected to cancel each other out in bid to chase down Man City
Chelsea vs Liverpool - 02/01/2022
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On Sunday, Chelsea and Liverpool go head-to-head at Stamford Bridge in a game that could have a big say in the outcome of the Premier League title race.
The two sides are separated by just a single point in the standings, with second-place Chelsea leading third-place Liverpool. The Reds do have a game in hand, however.
With first-place Manchester City already sitting eight points clear of Chelsea, neither team can afford to lose this one.
The Blues were held to a 1-1 draw by Brighton on Wednesday, conceding a stoppage-time equaliser after leading since the 28th minute.
They have now drawn three of their previous four Premier League games, having been held by Everton and Wolves before Christmas.
Although Chelsea have lost just one of their last 14 league matches – picking up eight wins and five draws along the way – they have struggled to turn draws into wins recently.
Thomas Tuchel’s men will be confident of avoiding defeat on Sunday, though, having lost only six of their previous 46 home games across all competitions.
Liverpool suffered only their second Premier League defeat of the season on Tuesday, going down 1-0 to Leicester City at the King Power Stadium.
Despite enjoying 64% possession and racking up 21 shots, Jurgen Klopp’s men were unable to find a way past the Foxes. Let’s not forget that Kasper Schmeichel saved a Mohamed Salah penalty, too.
Due to a 3-3 draw with Leicester in the EFL Cup, Liverpool have failed to win any of their last three matches inside 90 minutes.
Following a six-game winning streak in the Premier League, the Reds have taken just a single point from their previous two outings – drawing with Tottenham before falling to Leicester.
Head-to-head: Liverpool have lost just one of their last seven Premier League meetings with Chelsea, picking up four wins and two draws along the way.
Across the past 12 Premier League matches between Chelsea and Liverpool, only one game has produced more than three goals.
Team news: Chelsea will be without the injured duo of Thiago Silva and Ben Chilwell on Sunday. There are also doubts about Timo Werner, Kai Havertz, N’Golo Kante and Ruben Loftus-Cheek.
Liverpool have a number of absentees, too, with Nat Phillips, Thiago Alcantara, Takumi Minamino, Divock Origi and Harvey Elliot unavailable.
With so much at stake on Sunday, both sides will be desperate to avoid defeat. For that reason, we are likely to see a tense and cagey affair.
Forebet predicts that Chelsea and Liverpool will play out a low-scoring draw at Stamford Bridge, with both teams getting on the scoresheet.
Home team
Away team
Pred
Correct score
Avg. goals
Weather conditions
Coef.
Score
Live
coef.
EPL
314227
X
1 - 1
2.30
11° 3.50
3.00
3.50
2.30
no
no
no
2 - 2(2 - 2)