In The Mixer: Do the experts prefer Chelsea or Liverpool for the title?

In The Mixer is FST’s new weekly column where we catch up with seven experts in football betting and get their opinion on the hot topic of the week.

It may only be Tuesday but we’re already looking ahead to this weekend’s fixture list and the standout clash by far is Chelsea trip to Anfield in a game that could prove pivotal come the end of the season.

Liverpool and Chelsea are widely viewed as the two teams most likely to snatch Manchester City’s Premier League title away from them and after two matches they are neck and neck towards the top of the table. Both sit on six points with five goals scored and zero conceded and both have looked faultless so far.

With that in mind, we’ve caught up with seven experts from across the industry to find out who they would rather back for the Premier League title.

The question certainly split opinions, with three of our seven experts lumping for Liverpool and the other four backing Tuchel’s Blues. Who would you rather back?

5/2 Chelsea edge the battle

Ian Wilkerson

Sports journalist at Racing Post

They are very difficult to split but I just think there is a touch more scope for Chelsea to improve, particularly now they have signed such an established Premier League performer in Romelu Lukaku.

Liverpool did finish last season strongly but I couldn’t help thinking they threw the towel in a bit early when they had injury problems, particularly concerning Virgil van Dijk. The Reds have some talented youngsters but they could develop at different rates and I just think that while Jurgen Klopp possesses excellent players across the pitch, Thomas Tuchel just has a squad that is a little bit stronger.

There’s not much in it though and both teams should feel disappointed if they don’t win the league this season.

Alex Wrigley

Sports editor and football journalist at FST

Liverpool have looked impressive in two admittedly easy games so far but Chelsea look like the complete package under Thomas Tuchel.

The arrival of Romelu Lukaku gives them that proven goalscorer they were lacking last season but even without him Tuchel managed to turn them into European champions. They are world-class across all areas of the pitch and have incredible strength in depth. I fancy them to give Man City a run for their money.

Jack Ogalbe

Senior editor at ICS

Liverpool have impressed so far, albeit against relatively weak opposition, but Chelsea are the real deal for me.

The depth of the Blues’ squad is frightening and their progress under Thomas Tuchel shows no signs of slowing down.

Chelsea have a habit of identifying precisely what they need and have again rectified their lack of a bonafide world-class number nine by signing Romelu Lukaku.

There’s no doubt that Liverpool will be involved in the title shake-up and the youngsters they’re bringing through add an extra layer of excitement. However, the Reds’ injury record is a real worry and I get the sense there will be periods in the season when they’re vulnerable.

In contrast, Chelsea look ruthless and have the potential to develop into a winning machine.

Tom McGarry

Sports journalist at ICS

Chelsea look the real deal this season under Thomas Tuchel, with the addition of proven goalscorer Romelu Lukaku only adding to what is arguably the strongest squad in the Premier League.

Liverpool have also improved and will undoubtedly benefit from the return to fitness of defenders Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip, with Jurgen Klopp’s starting XI the match of any team in the division.

However, Chelsea’s superior squad depth is likely to see the Blues last the pace in the title race, while Liverpool still appear just a couple of key injuries away from seeing their hopes derailed.

4/1 Liverpool backers put up a fight

Henry Hardwicke

Sports journalist at Racing Post

Liverpool without a doubt. Chelsea won just seven of their final 14 Premier League games last term and they couldn’t finish above a Liverpool side that could barely field a defence for much of the campaign. Yes, the Blues won the Champions League, but cup competitions are a different beast.

Thomas Tuchel has spent big on forward Romelu Lukaku, but Chelsea did the same last season when they brought in Timo Werner and he didn’t remedy their goalscoring problems. Diogo Jota has brought a new dynamic to Liverpool’s attacking play and the Reds look the best bet to challenge Man City.

Joe Casey

Sports journalist at Racing Post

While Chelsea have undoubtedly come on leaps and bounds under Thomas Tuchel, his tactical speciality tends to be one off games such as their Champions League final win over Man City.

It is yet to be seen if the German can get his team to sustain that level of performance over an entire Premier League season. The signing of Romelu Lukaku undoubtedly makes the Blues stronger but at the prices, Liverpool appeal slightly more.

Chelsea’s defensive record under Tuchel last season will be hard to replicate again this year and Liverpool have looked rock solid with their first choice defensive stars back.

Aaron Rogan

Football journalist at FST

Thomas Tuchel is getting the most out of Chelsea, but he can only work wonders with that defence for so long. None of their centre-half options are world-class and in their prime, each of them have issues.

Meanwhile, this is a Liverpool side at its peak right now. Last season Jurgen Klopp’s system broke down due to injuries, but if all big names stay fit then the Reds should be back to their 2019/20 standards. I see them pushing City close this term.

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The Long View: Improved Lukaku can fire Chelsea to the title

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