Liverpool vs Chelsea: Prediction, Preview & Betting Tips

Liverpool have been exceptional this season and we expect this to continue against Chelsea. They currently sit top of the table and have conceded just two goals so far in the Premier League. The Reds have a favourable record in this fixture, as they are unbeaten since 2021 against the Blues. With nine wins in their last 10 fixtures in all competitions, Liverpool look strong going into this game.

Chelsea have also started the season well, sitting in fourth. They have scored 16 goals in seven games so far. They have scored in every game since the opening day, when they lost 2-0 to Man City. With Liverpool’s fantastic form and defensive record and Chelsea’s outstanding goalscoring run, this could be a close game – Liverpool 2-1 Chelsea

Liverpool welcome Chelsea to Anfield as both teams look to continue their strong starts to the Premier League season.

Date: 20/10/24

Kick-off time: 16:30

Venue: Anfield

The hosts have enjoyed an excellent start to life under new manager Arne Slot, as they currently sit top of the table with just one defeat so far. They lead both Man City and Arsenal by one point, and are amidst a three-game winning streak. Their sole defeat was a narrow 1-0 home loss to Nottingham Forest in September.

They will be facing a Chelsea side who have been much improved since their opening day loss to Man City. The Blues have been unbeaten in the league since under new manager Enzo Maresca. However, they drew 1-1 at home to Forest last time out after three consecutive wins. They are fourth in the table, four points behind their opponents.

Only Man City have scored more goals than Chelsea so far this season. Cole Palmer has six of their 16, whilst Nicolas Jackson and Noni Madueke are tied with four. Their attack has been very difficult to stop and they have scored at least three goals in three of the opening seven games. The visitors have had much more joy away from Stamford Bridge, winning all three of their games on the road.

That being said, they are coming up against the best defence in the league. Liverpool have conceded just twice so far, four fewer than the next best. The Reds have kept five clean sheets in seven and will provide a stern test for one of the league’s most potent attacks. It is a different story at the back for Chelsea, who have kept just two clean sheets, though both of these came away. This will be the most dangerous attack they have faced since City. Mo Salah and Luis Diaz have started the season brilliantly, combining for nine goals so far.

Since 2022, these two sides have faced eight times in all competitions. It has been a poor stretch for Chelsea, failing to win any of these games. Their last victory over Liverpool came in a 1-0 win at Anfield in 2021. Goals have been hard to come by in this fixture, as this stretch included four consecutive 0-0 draws. The last time they met was in the EFL Cup final in February which Liverpool won 1-0 in extra-time.

Liverpool vs Chelsea will be available to watch on Sky Sports Main Event and Premier League.

Liverpool

Goalkeeper Alisson will not be available as he deals with a thigh injury. Harvey Elliott is set for a return later this month, but this game should come too soon. New signing Federico Chiesa is likely to be available, but Alexis Mac Allister may miss out.

Chelsea

Marc Cucurella and Wesley Fofana are out through suspension after they picked up their fifth yellow cards of the season last time out. Reece James is the only injury absentee, though his return is thought to be getting closer.

Liverpool:

In their last five games, Liverpool have been perfect, winning all five. It has been a very strong start to the Premier League season for the Reds which has continued in this recent stretch. The first game was a comfortable 3-0 win at home to Bournemouth. Luis Diaz scored a quick-fire brace before Darwin Nunez added a third.

EFL Cup action saw them eliminate West Ham with a 5-1 result. They fell behind through a Jarell Quansah own goal but responded almost immediately with a Diogo Jota strike. Jota scored his second after the break, preceding three late goals from Mo Salah and Cody Gakpo (x2). Liverpool returned to the Premier League with a trip to Wolves. They were 2-1 winners, with Ibrahima Konate and Salah scoring either side of a Rayan Ait-Nouri equaliser.

Bologna visited Anfield for their second Champions League game. Liverpool made it two wins from two thanks to goals from Alexis Mac Allister and Salah. In their most recent game they recorded a narrow 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace. Jota scored the winner after nine minutes.

Chelsea:

In their last five games, Chelsea have won four and drawn one. It has been a dominant stretch for the Blues, as they look to continue their good form. This run started with a 3-0 win away at West Ham. Nicolas Jackson scored an early brace to put his side in control, before Cole Palmer put the game to bed with a third shortly after the restart. Chelsea then booked their place in the fourth round of the EFL Cup with an emphatic 5-0 win over League Two Barrow. Christopher Nkunku netted a hat-trick.

The following weekend saw a remarkable game between themselves and Brighton, with all the goals coming in the first half in a 4-2 win. Brighton had taken the lead thanks to a defensive gaffe, but the hosts soon turned it around with a Palmer hat-trick. Palmer added his fourth shortly after Chelsea gifted their opponents another goal. Their next game was in the Europa Conference League against Gent, in which they also won 4-2. Renato Veiga, Pedro Neto, Nkunku and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall were on the scoresheet.

Last time out they took on Nottingham Forest at home. The visitors took the lead through Chris Wood, but this was cancelled out shortly after by Noni Madueke. Both teams had opportunities to win the game, but neither could find the decisive goal despite Forest being reduced to 10 men late on.

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