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Liverpool vs Chelsea preview, prediction, team news and head-to-head
Liverpool can book a top-five finish in the Premier League table when they host Chelsea in Saturday’s early kickoff at Anfield.
Liverpool vs Chelsea betting tips
- Under 3.5 goals
- Both teams to score
- Liverpool to win
Liverpool vs Chelsea preview
Liverpool and Chelsea will get the ball rolling for this weekend’s round of Premier League fixtures as they clash at Anfield.
It is a big game for both sides, but for contrasting reasons as they bid to bounce back from defeats to Manchester United and Nottingham Forest respectively.
The reigning champions’ winning streak came to an end in an agonising 3-2 loss to Manchester United last weekend, shortly before the Blues’ 3-1 home reverse to Nottingham Forest – a sorry sixth straight top-flight defeat.
Liverpool are fourth in the Premier League table with 58 points, six clear of Bournemouth and seven above Brentford. They will qualify for the 2026-27 Champions League if they beat Chelsea and the Cherries drop points at Fulham.
A draw could also be enough depending on how Bournemouth, Brentford and Brighton get on.
As for Chelsea, they will be desperate to end a run of six consecutive Premier League defeats and build some confidence ahead of next weekend’s FA Cup showdown against Manchester City.
Points seem a largely foreign concept to Chelsea in the Premier League right now, and they head to Merseyside as the most out-of-form team in the division.
The ninth-placed Blues are mathematically out of top-five contention, sitting 10 points adrift of Aston Villa with three games remaining.
However, they are just four points off Bournemouth in sixth, which could suffice for UCL qualification if Villa finish in the top five and win the Europa League, though they risk no longer being in contention if results go against them this weekend.
Liverpool vs Chelsea head-to-head
Chelsea beat Liverpool twice at Stamford Bridge in 2025, most recently a 2-1 success in October.
However, the Reds have won their last two meetings at Anfield, including last season’s Mohamed Salah-inspired triumph by the same scoreline.
Following their 2-1 win at Stamford Bridge in October, Chelsea are looking to complete the league double over Liverpool for the first time since 2013/14.
However, Chelsea have won just one of their last 10 away games against Liverpool (D5 L4), a 1-0 win under Thomas Tuchel in March 2021.
Liverpool vs Chelsea team forms
Liverpool Premier League form: 🟧🟥🟩🟩🟩🟥
Liverpool form (all competitions): 🟥🟩🟥🟩🟩🟥
Chelsea Premier League form: 🟥🟥🟥🟥🟥🟥
Liverpool form (all competitions): 🟩🟥🟥🟥🟩🟥
Liverpool vs Chelsea team news
Liverpool are hopeful Alexander Isak and Alisson Becker will be available for selection after injury.
Both players missed the defeat at Old Trafford, with Isak suffering a minor groin issue. Arne Slot said last week that he expected the Swede to return against Chelsea, and Alisson is not thought to be too far away from a comeback.
However, the Chelsea game may come too soon for Mohamed Salah, who is likely to play at least one more game before bidding farewell.
Hugo Ekitike, Conor Bradley and Giovanni Leoni are all long-term injury casualties, and Giorgi Mamardashvili remains sidelined.
As for Chelsea, the loss to Forest was overshadowed by the sickening head injury to teenage attacker Jesse Derry, who was stretchered off to warm applause from both sets of supporters after his collision with Zach Abbott.
Derry-Abbott was one of two head clashes at Stamford Bridge, where Robert Sanchez and Morgan Gibbs-White also crashed into each other, so Filip Jorgensen may be required in between the posts in the former’s place.
McFarlane is at least hopeful of having attacking trio Pedro Neto, Alejandro Garnacho and Jamie Gittens fit for the weekend, but Estevao Willian (thigh) and Mykhaylo Mudryk (doping ban) will play no part.
Liverpool vs Chelsea possible starting lineup
Liverpool: Woodman; Jones, Van Dijk, Konate, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Szoboszlai; Frimpong, Wirtz, Ngumoha; Gakpo
Chelsea: Jorgensen; James, Colwill, Chalobah, Cucurella; Caicedo, Santos; Palmer, Fernandez, Neto; Pedro
Liverpool vs Chelsea prediction
Liverpool are not without their problems, but Chelsea’s Premier League season is ending catastrophically, and McFarlane’s men could return to scoreless ways on Saturday.
Arne Slot’s side had put together a three-game winning run prior to defeat at Old Trafford, and while a classic is surely not in store, given their fitness issues, they’re ahead of Chelsea who have lost their last six in the league.
FA Cup wins aside, the Blues have looked poor in recent weeks and we can’t see that changing here. Form suggests this should be a routine Liverpool win.
Correct score prediction: Liverpool 2-1 Chelsea
News
WAFCON 2026: Super Falcons Coach, Madugu Opens Up on Players’ Selection, Tactics Ahead of Crucial Zambia Clash
Super Falcons head coach Justin Madugu has defended his player selection and tactical decisions ahead of Nigeria’s crucial Group C encounter against Zambia at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).
The ten time African champions are under pressure following their disappointing 3-2 defeat to tournament debutants Malawi in their opening match.
The outcome of that has intensified scrutiny of the coaching crew’s team selection and tactical approach.
Speaking during his pre-match press conference on Friday, Madugu insisted that every selection is based on players’ performances in training, tactical requirements and the specific demands of each opponent.
“We have very versatile players in this team. Every player selected is chosen for a reason,” Madugu said.
“The choices we make are based on what we observe in training, the physical condition of the players and the tactical plan for each game. We take full responsibility for every decision.”
The coach acknowledged the disappointment of the opening defeat but maintained that Nigeria still controls its destiny in the competition.
“We still have our fate in our hands. We have corrected the mistakes from the last game and we are fully focused on the challenge against Zambia,” he added.
Madugu also revealed that the technical crew has worked on tactical adjustments aimed at improving the team’s defensive organisation and attacking efficiency ahead of the must-win fixture.
Meanwhile, goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie and forward Uchenna Kanu expressed confidence that the squad has moved on from the setback against Malawi.
Nnadozie urged Nigerians to continue supporting the team, insisting the players remain united and determined to bounce back, while Kanu said the atmosphere in camp remains positive despite the opening loss.
Nigeria face a formidable Zambia side that began their campaign with an emphatic 6-0 victory over Egypt.
Victory for the Super Falcons would revive their hopes of reaching the knockout stage, while another defeat would leave their qualification chances hanging by a thread.
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