Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea will be hoping to maintain their perfect start to the new season with the Blues making the travels to Anfield over the upcoming weekend.
A stern test awaits them in the form of Liverpool who have also recorded two wins out of two outings of the 21-22 Premier League campaign and look a formidable outfit following the return of key players from injuries.
Saturday’s matchup on Merseyside could prove to be a major battle between both teams who are backed for mounting a serious challenge to Manchester City for the Premier League crown this season and after facing relatively easy fixtures early on, Liverpool and Chelsea are set for a high-billed contest this time around.
Chelsea took all three points from their previous outing which came at the Emirates Stadium against bitter rivals Arsenal with new boy Romelu Lukaku finding the back of the net on his second debut in the Blues shirt and the Belgian’s strike was followed up by Reece James who marked his return on the teamsheet.
Tuchel could have a major boost in the offing on the squad selection front ahead of the visit to Anfield with midfield maestro N’Golo Kante coming off the bench in the Arsenal fixture which could mean a start on the cards for the Frenchman come Saturday.
Mateo Kovacic looks the likely name to drop down to the bench to make way for Kante to come into the starting XI for the west Londoners who now possess serious firepower up top on the pitch in new signing Romelu Lukaku.
A goal on his return to Premier League life capped off a superb display from the 28-year-old Lukaku who is backed to make an instant impact following the efforts and money put in by Chelsea to bring in a former Stamford Bridge player back to where he belongs.
Thomas Tuchel’s men secured a narrow win in their last matchup against Jurgen Klopp’s Merseysiders which came at Anfield the previous season but it remains to be seen what Saturday’s contest has in store for two high-flying sides.
WHEN & WHERE?
Date: Saturday 28 August
Time: 4:30 PM GMT
Venue: Anfield
TEAM NEWS
The only change expected on the Chelsea starting teamsheet for the upcoming game should be a recall issued to star midfield man N’Golo Kante who was used sparingly against Arsenal last week.
Kante’s inclusion will mean Mateo Kovacic, who has been handed an extended run of first-team minutes as of late, dropping down to the bench.
Five goals. 🥅
Six points. 👌
Two clean sheets. ⛔️Winning Wednesdays. 👊 pic.twitter.com/MH7CMCAjBn
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) August 25, 2021
Thomas Tuchel is not likely to tinker around with his defensive options after solid displays at the back in recent games, giving the in-form Marcos Alonso another outing at the expense of Ben Chilwell who waits in the wings.
KEY BATTLE
Mohamed Salah v Romelu Lukaku
It was always going to be a high-octane battle between the attacking superstars of each side who have been in good form and will be hoping to make a mark on Saturday’s Anfield showdown.
For the hosts, it will be a former Chelsea man in Mohamed Salah who has the ability to turn the game in his side’s favour while Thomas Tuchel and Co. will be counting on new boy Romelu Lukaku to do the needful in front of the goal.
MATCH PREDICTION
Expect the weekend’s high-billed clash on Merseyside to fizzle out in a draw despite much talk of two in-form teams battling it out for maintaining their perfect starts to the new season.
We predict Saturday’s game to finish in a 1-1 stalemate.
