Liverpool Form and Lineup
Compared to Chelsea, even average results for Liverpool look respectable. The home team have now entered a tough part of the schedule. Last Sunday they lost at Old Trafford in a key game for third place against Manchester United, and after Chelsea they face another contender for the Champions League, Aston Villa. In essence, they can only really be upset about the defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion (1:2) back in March. The other setbacks came against heavyweights.
Key numbers:
Virgil van Dijk leads the Premier League for clearances from the penalty area (263).
Liverpool are unbeaten at home in the league for four matches (three wins and a draw).
In three of the last four rounds, both teams have scored in matches involving the Reds.
Only 5 of the 17 goals conceded by the Reds from set pieces have come at Anfield.
Only five Merseyside players have scored 5 or more goals in the Premier League.
Potential Liverpool lineup (4-2-3-1): Freddie Woodman — Andrew Robertson, Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate, Curtis Jones — Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch — Florian Wirtz, Dominik Szoboszlai, Jeremie Frimpong — Cody Gakpo
Out: Alisson, Giorgi Mamardashvili, Hugo Ekitike, Alexander Isak, Mohamed Salah, Wataru Endo, Conor Bradley, Stefan Bajcetic (injuries)
Chelsea Form and Lineup
In the spring, Chelsea have been winning only in domestic cups (three victories), plus that unexpectedly big win away to Aston Villa (4:1), but that came right at the start of March. Otherwise it has been a catastrophe. The results are understandable when you run into Paris Saint-Germain with Khvicha and Dembele or Manchester City with Haaland and Semenyo, but 0:3 against Everton and the same scoreline against Brighton & Hove Albion is already too much.
Key numbers:
Chelsea have lost in each of the last six Premier League rounds. Over this stretch they are bottom of the league with a goal difference of –13.
In 6 of their last 10 matches in all competitions, the Blues have conceded at least three times.
Chelsea are third in the league for points dropped compared to expected (8.57 xPTS).
Chelsea players have received more red cards than anyone else in the Premier League (seven).
In cup competitions, the Londoners have failed to score against Liverpool in three straight games.
Potential Chelsea lineup (4-2-3-1): Robert Sanchez — Malo Gusto, Trevoh Chalobah, Tosin Adarabioyo, Marc Cucurella — Moises Caicedo, Romeo Lavia — Cole Palmer, Enzo Fernandez, Pedro Neto — Joao Pedro
Out: Robert Sanchez, Estevao, Jacey Gittins, Jesse Derry (injuries)
