Where’s It At?
Stamford Bridge, Fulham Rd, London SW6 1HS, United Kingdom. Just in case you want to write an open letter complaining about the ticket prices at the away end.
It’s On De Telly, Yeah?
Yes, homie-broheim. It is on the telly-vision. Sky Sports 1, in fact. It’ll be one of those owith the long-winding build-up. So, if you’re one of those folks who like to have their helping of irrelevant stats with their crisps and salsa dip, you could tune in a 6:30pm BST. Alternatively, you can follow LIVE match commentary on The 4th Official’s flegling app. It’s cute and chirpy.
When Is It?
It’s on at 8pm British Standard Time.
Team News for Chelsea
The man who likes to put his head up in places where they would put their foot in, captain, legend, etc, John Terry is serving time on the touchline with and ankle injury that’ll see him miss out the encounter.
That sets up the return of £34 million man, David Luiz with a case of deja vu. The Brazilain made his Chelsea home debut against Liverpool a few years ago, galavanting across the pitch in reckless abandon. The 29-year-old, we hope wouldn’t be none the wiser, or at least he cannot afford to be, with Juergen Klopp likely to give his charges the instructions to funnel their attacking through the front-footed centre-back’s corridor of uncertainty.Has Sideshow Bob ironed out his proclivity for the defensive calamity, or will Bob Firmino and the likes, mark his second Chelsea debut with a few goals and the ignominy of defeat.
Team News For Liverpool FC
Klopp faces a conundrum, the best kind. He has options available that could start ahead of the other at the toss of a coin. Klopp’s Rolls Royce in midfield, Emre Can still has a flat, with his recurring ankle injury keeping him out of contention. Loris Karius, Liverpool’s new custodian, who’d ideally be a starter, finds himself fit and raring to go, waiting to be beckoned on the first lapse of concentration Simon Mignolet shows. The Belgian knows he’s on borrowed time, between the sticks, and couldn’t afford to put a foot wrong.
Elsewhere, Lucas Leiva on the back of his impressive showing at centre-back [barring that one slip up that saw him square the ball in the way of an on-rushing Vardy], may give way to a returning Dejan Lovren. That being said, Lucas may find himself in midfield in a defensive midfield role, to give this daisy-cutter Liverpool side, some mowing ability.
The Form Book
There were a few positives for Chelsea despite their 2-2 draw with Swansea at the Liberty Stadium. Diego Costa’s resurgent form for starters, and their overall resilience, a marked characteristic of an Antonio Conte side, fighting back from a losing position. They still remain undefeated in the league.
Liverpool had their stutters against Arsenal (in the first-half) and then faltering along the way, in the away match at Turf Moor, losing to Sean Dyche’s Burnley. But things suddenly clicked, and they shifted gears, attaining escape velocity, and hitting defending Champions, Leicester City with the full fury of their attacking arsenal, like Death Star destroying planet Alderaan.
What To Expect?
Expect Conte to dismantle the Liverpool attack with the same fortituous profiency that saw Luke Skywalker implode the Death Star – biding his time, soaking the pressure, and hitting Liverpool on the break with the occassional long ball to Diego Costa, who is likely to relish the challenge.
For Liverpool, there may be a body too many behind the ball, to squeeze that final ball in. Firmino and Coutinho would need to be at th every top of their games. A lot would depend on who gets the first goal, as it would set the tone of the match. If Chelsea get it, it could be game over for Liverpool.
Prediction
2-2
Formations
