Liverpool
Chelsea
4 March 2021
20:15 UK/ 21:15 CET
Premier League
Anfield
All eyes will be on Anfield when Liverpool and Chelsea go head to head in the Premier League derby on Thursday evening.
The Reds desperately needed a win at Sheffield United, and they managed to get one, with the team putting an end to their four-game losing run.
Jurgen Klopp’s troops have slim chances of defending their trophy, and, no doubt, the team’s main goal is to secure a top-four finish. All Jota, Fabinho, and Milner should be fit for the Chelsea game.
The Blues, on the other hand, head into the midweek clash following a goalless draw with Manchester United.
Chelsea aim to climb to the Champions League berth, and seeing that both sides are likely to go for a win, we believe that punters can find value in betting on both teams to score. The Blues defender Thiago Silva is rated doubtful for the match.
Liverpool vs Chelsea: Head-to-head (h2h)
Teams Liverpool Chelsea played so far 66 matches.
Liverpool won 23 direct matches. Chelsea won 26 matches. 17 matches ended in a draw. On average in direct matches both teams scored a 2.39 goals per Match.
Liverpool vs Chelsea Prediction
Liverpool in actual season average scored 2.10 goals per match. In 13 (72.22%) matches played at home was total goals (team and opponent) Over 1.5 goals. In 9 (50.00%) matches in season 2021 played at home was total goals (team and opponent) Over 2.5 goals.
Chelsea average scored 1.85 goals per match in season 2021. In 14 (70.00%) matches played away was total goals (team and opponent) Over 1.5 goals. In 9 (45.00%) matches played away team was total goals (team and opponent) Over 2.5 goals.
Team News:
Liverpool's lengthy injury list throughout the season has been well publicised, but Klopp could be handed a triple boost ahead of this match.
Alisson Becker sat out against Sheffield United on compassionate grounds following the tragic death of his father in a swimming accident in Brazil last week, but the goalkeeper is expected to return for this match.
Alisson's compatriot Fabinho is also in line to return, although Klopp must make a decision whether to use him in midfield or in defence, where Nat Phillips and Ozan Kabak have formed the Reds' 18th different centre-back partnership of the season over the last game-and-a-half.
Kabak in particular looked shaky against Everton and Sheffield United, and Klopp could therefore lean towards Phillips keeping his place alongside Fabinho at the heart of the defence.
The other potential returnee is Diogo Jota, who missed the Sheffield United game through illness but has now recovered from the knee injury which has kept him out since December.
The Portuguese attacker is unlikely to start even if he has overcome his illness, but he could be used off the bench to give one of the front three a much-needed rest.
Jordan Henderson, Joe Gomez, Virgil van Dijk, Joel Matip and Caoimhin Kelleher all remain sidelined for the hosts.
Chelsea, by contrast, have almost a clean bill of health with Thiago Silva and Tammy Abraham their only fitness concerns.
Hudson-Odoi was taken off at half time against Manchester United and was spotted with an ice pack on his knee, but Tuchel has eased concerns over his fitness and he should be available for this match.
Silva is now back in training but Thursday's match could come too soon for him to start, while Abraham has also emerged as a doubt due to an ankle problem and will be assessed having been left out of the matchday squad entirely at the weekend.
Whether Abraham is passed fit or not, Tuchel has plenty of decisions to make in the attacking areas, with Timo Werner also only featuring off the bench and Kai Havertz left as an unused sub against Man United.
Olivier Giroud, who has scored seven Premier League goals against Liverpool including four at Anfield, will be hopeful of keeping his place up front, but he is one of many players whose position looks uncertain with such depth available to Tuchel.
Reece James, Christian Pulisic, Werner, Marcos Alonso, Kurt Zouma, Havertz and Jorginho were all on the bench against Manchester United at the weekend and will hope to benefit from any rotation to keep the squad fresh.
Liverpool possible starting lineup:
Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Phillips, Fabinho, Robertson; Thiago, Wijnaldum, Jones; Salah, Firmino, Mane
Chelsea possible starting lineup:
Mendy; Azpilicueta, Christensen, Rudiger; James, Kante, Kovacic, Alonso; Mount, Giroud, Werner.
Match officials
Referee: Craig Pawson. Assistants: Stuart Burt, Simon Bennett. Fourth official: Anthony Taylor. VAR: Paul Tierney. Assistant VAR: Constantine Hatzidakis.