Chelsea and Liverpool set for intriguing showdown at Stamford Bridge

Chelsea vs Liverpool - 13/08/2023

8724

The Mauricio Pochettino era begins at Stamford Bridge this Sunday as Chelsea entertain Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on the opening weekend of the Premier League season.

By their own high standards, Chelsea endured a 2022-23 campaign to forget – finishing 27 points shy of the Champions League spots in 12th place.

The Blues are determined to bounce back under the guidance of Mauricio Pochettino. Find out more: Chelsea – Premier League Preview (2023-24)

Liverpool also missed out on a top-four finish last term, ending the campaign in fifth place and four points behind Newcastle United.

Following the departures of Thomas Tuchel, Graham Potter and Frank Lampard last season, Mauricio Pochettino finds himself in the Stamford Bridge hot seat.

There is no denying that the new manager has plenty of work to do at Chelsea, as the Blues were miles off the pace throughout the previous campaign.

Chelsea managed to win just 11 of their 38 Premier League games last term, recording 11 draws and 16 losses along the way. Meanwhile, only four teams scored fewer goals.

Following another flurry of player arrivals and departures, Pochettino will be eager to gel his new-look squad as quickly as possible and settle into his new role.

As for Liverpool, they suffered nine defeats in 38 league outings last season, picking up 19 wins and 10 draws in the process.

After starting the campaign slowly, Jurgen Klopp’s men finished on a high, winning seven and drawing four of their final 11 matches.

It is also worth noting that Liverpool have lost just one of their five pre-season games this summer, scoring over 2.5 goals in each of their warm-up matches.

Like Chelsea, Liverpool have undergone a squad rebuild, signings Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister while losing Fabinho, Jordan Henderson, James Milner and Roberto Firmino.

Head-to-head: Remarkably, each of the previous four meetings between Chelsea and Liverpool have ended goalless.

The two sides have also drawn each of their last six encounters across all competitions, while both teams have won two of the previous 10 meetings.

Team news: Christopher Nkunku and Wesley Fofana are injured for Chelsea, while Armando Broja, Trevoh Chalobah and Benout Badiashile are doubts.

On the flip side, there are question marks over the availability of Liverpool’s midfield duo Thiago Alcantara and Stefan Bajcetic.

Can Liverpool fight for the title this season? Read more: Liverpool – Premier League Preview (2023-24)

Sunday’s showdown is destined to be an exciting encounter between two teams with a point to prove heading into the new season.

Forebet predicts that Chelsea will claim all three points this time around, with a clean sheet looking likely for the hosts.

Home team
Away team

Probability %

1X2

Pred

Correct score

Avg. goals

Weather conditions

Coef.

Score

Live
coef.

EPL

Chelsea Liverpool 13/08/2023 17:30

373033

1

2 - 0

2.44

21°

2.88

2.88 3.40 2.38 no no no

FT

1 - 1(1 - 1)

-

- - -