Liverpool vs Chelsea Predictions

• Chelsea have gone six games unbeaten in the league
• Liverpool’s six league wins have come against bottom-half teams
• Five of the last six meetings between these two have finished level after 90 minutes

First big test for Reds

Liverpool have been the early Premier League pacesetters, but Arne Slot has been handed a kind start. His side have won six of their first seven in the league, but each of those victories came against a side in the league’s bottom half.

The Reds lost their only meeting with a side currently in the top 10 – falling to a 1-0 home defeat to Nottingham Forest. That makes Sunday’s meeting with Chelsea Liverpool’s first real test of the league campaign, having put themselves in the mix with Manchester City and Arsenal after a blistering start.

Maresca’s side are ahead of schedule

Chelsea celebrated a September double, with Enzo Maresca winning manager of the month and Cole Palmer taking the player award. The Blues took 10 points from a possible 12 last month, pushing themselves into the top four.

After losing to Man City in their opening game – a match the Blues edged on Expected Goals – they’re unbeaten in six in the league, winning four. In all competitions, they’ve won five of their last six to build up some impressive momentum.

However, the best thing for the Blues has been how quickly they’ve adjusted to Maresca’s style. The former Leicester boss has avoided making drastic changes to Mauricio Pochettino’s approach, helping them to continue the excellent progress they made towards the end of the Argentine’s reign.

Reds are worth opposing

Liverpool head into this clash as heavy favourites, but these two sides have been difficult to split in recent meetings. Five of their previous six clashes have finished level in 90 minutes.

The Blues look to be moving in the right direction and with Slot’s side yet to pass a major test in the league this season it’s worth opposing them here.

However, Luis Diaz would be able to make an impact in Sunday’s clash. Chelsea’s good run has come in spite of some patchy defending and Diaz netted in both league meetings between these two last season. The Colombian has five league goals – three of which have come at Anfield. Back him to add to that tally this weekend.