Alan Hansen’s Premier League Preview: Chelsea v Liverpool
The match of the weekend takes place at Stamford Bridge as Chelsea take on my old club Liverpool. Carlo Ancelotti suffered his first defeat in charge of the Blues last weekend. The shock defeat at Wigan ended the club’s 100% start to the campaign. Liverpool have bounced back from early league defeats to both Tottenham and Aston Villa in sensational style. However, a midweek Champions League defeat in Florence suggests the Reds are not the finished article just yet.
Chelsea’s defeat at the DW Stadium surprised everyone but this weekend’s clash will be another stern test of their title credentials as Liverpool are on a 4-match winning run in the league and have been scoring goals for fun. They’ve scored 13 goals in those four games and already top the scoring charts with 22 goals. Rafa can also boast the Premier League’s top marksman in Fernando Torres.
The Spanish striker has been in scintillating form with 9 goals in his last 8 league appearances and will the main threat to Chelsea. Torres has a decent record against the Blues after scoring 4 goals in 6 games against the London club since he came to Liverpool just over two year ago. The Spaniard is up there with the very best in world football at the moment so John Terry and co will have to be at the top of their game to handle him.
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These clashes have a history of being tight and dour but the form of these clubs this season suggest anything but. Chelsea lead the rest of the Premier League having averaged 26 shots per game in the top flight this season. However, Liverpool are a close 2nd with 22 shots. Carlo Ancelotti’s side have also fired in the most shots this season - 127, but it’s Rafa’s team that has mustered the most efforts on target - 65. Despite Chelsea’s defensive record of 3 clean-sheets in seven matches, I do expect Liverpool to score. After all, since failing to find the net at Middlesbrough back in February, the Reds have scored a staggering 56 goals in 18 Premier League matches.
Chelsea may be unbeaten in the last 14 league games at Stamford Bridge but I have a feeling they won’t be able to beat Liverpool this weekend. The Reds may have won at Stamford Bridge last season but I would cover my Premier 10 options with a draw and an away victory as Rafa Benitez’ team look to lay down a marker against one of Liverpool’s title chasing rivals.
Tags: Alan Hansen, Chelsea, Liverpool, Premier 10, Premier League
