Liverpool vs Chelsea Team News & Prediction: first real test for Slot and Maresca?
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In what could be the game of the weekend in the Premier League, Chelsea travel to Anfield to face Arne Slot's impressive Liverpool side on Sunday.
KICK-OFF DATE/TIME: Sunday 20th October, 2024: UK – 4:30pm / US ET – 11:30am / US PT – 8:30am
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK – Sky Sports / US – USA Network
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – Sky Go / US – nbc.com
LIVERPOOL PREVIEW: SIX CONSECUTIVE WINS IN ALL COMPETITIONS
It's been an excellent start to life as Liverpool boss for Arne Slot, with his Liverpool side having won nine of their ten competitive games this season, the only blip coming when they were defeated at home by Nottingham Forest a little over a month ago.
The Reds had to grind out a 0-1 win away at Crystal Palace in their last game before the international break, with their new-found defensive resolve protecting the lead after Diogo Jota had put the visitors in front inside ten minutes.
CHELSEA PREVIEW: UNBEATEN SINCE THE OPENING WEEKEND
Despite receiving plenty of criticism for their considerable activity in the transfer marker over the summer, Chelsea haven't lost in the Premier League since their 0-2 opening weekend defeat to champions Man City who, heading into the weekend, are the only team in the division who have outscored them so far.
The Blues were, however, held to a 1-1 draw by Nottingham Forest at Stamford Bridge last time out, with the hosts unable to make their extra man count in the closing stages.
LIVERPOOL TEAM NEWS: KELLEHER TO REPLACE INJURED ALISSON
The win at Palace came at a cost with first-choice goalkeeper Alisson having to be replaced, and the Brazilian is unlikely to return until after the November international break. He joins Harvey Elliott on the sidelines.
Slot namechecked Kostas Tsimikas, Wataru Endo and Alexis Mac Allister as players who need to be checked prior to kick-off, while summer signing Federico Chiesa is still dealing with a muscle complaint.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Mac Allister, Gravenberch; Salah, Szoboszlai, Gakpo; Jota
UNAVAILABLE: Alisson (Injured), Elliott (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: Tsimikas (Injured), Endo (Illness), Mac Allister (Injured), Chiesa (Injured)
CHELSEA TEAM NEWS: SUSPENSIONS FOR FOFANA & CUCURELLA BUT JAMES BACK
Reece James, yet to feature this season, is free of injury according to Enzo Maresca, but he has cautioned that his right-back is unable to play games in quick succession. Meanwhile, Wesley Fofana and Marc Cucurella will both sit this one out through suspension after both picked up their fifth yellow cards of the campaign against Nottingham Forest.
19-year-old Omari Kellyman is the only player currently missing through injury, although Ben Chilwell has been dealing with illness of late.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; Gusto, Adarabioyo, Colwill, Veiga; Caicedo, Fernandez; Madueke, Palmer, Sancho; Jackson
UNAVAILABLE: Fofana (Suspended), Cucurella (Suspended), Kellyman (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: Chilwell (Illness)
LIVERPOOL VS CHELSEA PREDICTION
It's more or less been plain sailing for Slot and Maresca so far, both of whom took the reigns at their respective clubs over the summer, and for Chelsea especially this will be their toughest fixture since their opening weekend defeat to Man City.
With the visitors missing two key performers in defence through suspension, you'd have to fancy this well-oiled Liverpool attack to breach the Blues rearguard. With that in mind, a home win should be expected.
LIVERPOOL VS CHELSEA TIP: LIVERPOOL TO WIN
