Chelsea aims to halt their three-game winless streak in the Premier League this Saturday as they host Liverpool at Stamford Bridge – a formidable challenge. The Reds recently suffered their first defeat of the season across all competitions, falling to Galatasaray in the Champions League. While an isolated loss, it highlighted underlying issues for the young squad, prompting Arne Slot to meticulously consider his optimal starting eleven.
Alexis Mac Allister`s absence for this encounter underscores the critical need for Dominik Szoboszlai`s return to midfield. In the Champions League, Szoboszlai was deployed at right-back with Jeremie Frimpong on the wing. However, with Mohamed Salah`s anticipated return to the lineup, Frimpong will likely either revert to right-back or be moved to the bench. Given Conor Bradley`s fitness, Slot possesses strategic flexibility should he perceive his team`s defense as too vulnerable to field Frimpong further up the pitch.
Match Details and Betting Odds
- Date: Saturday, October 4 | Time: 12:30 p.m. ET
- Venue: Stamford Bridge, London
- Television: NBC | Live Stream: Fubo
- Odds: Chelsea +180; Draw +275; Liverpool +130
On-Pitch Discipline
It`s surprisingly crucial for Chelsea to maintain eleven players on the field. The Blues have seen a player sent off in three of their last four matches, resulting in two losses. Although Joao Pedro will miss the Champions League match and is not suspended for this fixture, aggressive play could prove detrimental against Liverpool. Last season, Liverpool earned a league-high nine penalties, converting all of them thanks to Salah`s clinical accuracy from the spot.
Liverpool will undoubtedly push forward offensively against Chelsea, particularly given that their own defense can concede if allowed to sit back excessively. Should Chelsea offer opportunities for penalties, the game`s outcome might be sealed prematurely.
The Florian Wirtz Conundrum
Liverpool has struggled with squad balance, partly attributed to new signing Florian Wirtz`s difficulties in settling into his role. While Wirtz is undeniably a significant future asset for Liverpool, his adaptation to the Premier League and the shift from being the primary attacking force have been challenging. Slot`s defensive setup will already be impacted by Alisson`s hamstring injury unavailability, further reinforcing the need for a possession-centric approach.
Last season, Liverpool excelled at controlling games, patiently waiting for opponent errors. This season, however, that dominant control has been lacking. While some of this stems from ongoing adjustments in midfield cohesion, defensive lapses have also complicated their attacking transitions. The team`s strength is evident in having only one loss this season despite these concerns, but if improvements aren`t made, away fixtures like this one against Chelsea could mark the beginning of further setbacks.
The Race for Top Positions
The upper echelons of the Premier League table are highly competitive. Liverpool may lead the league entering this match, but they are only two points clear of Arsenal. A failure to secure a win at Chelsea could see the Gunners claim the top spot before the international break, fueling their title aspirations after three consecutive second-place finishes. Belief is a powerful motivator for any team, making it imperative for the Reds to maintain their momentum. Chelsea, currently in eighth place, is not far from a top-four position, yet trailing teams like Crystal Palace, Tottenham, and Manchester City suggests a more arduous climb than it might appear.
Last season, the Blues qualified for the Champions League, leveraging a deep squad that could manage rotation due to Conference League commitments. This season, however, Enzo Maresca has been forced to limit his rotation, prioritizing his first-team players for both Champions League and Premier League duties. Juggling these two demanding competitions could potentially lead to Chelsea missing out on a top-four finish, but securing points against the reigning champions at home would be a significant step towards achieving their objectives.
