Chelsea vs. Liverpool Preview, Prediction & Betting Odds (GW7)
Sunday's clash of Premier League elites highlights Gameweek 7 as leaders Liverpool head to Stamford Bridge for a showdown with eighth-place Chelsea.
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca will implore his players to exercise discipline and composure ahead of the marquee tilt. The Blues have been forced to finish the match with 10 men in three of their last four fixtures across all competitions.
Liverpool boss Arne Slot will be searching for consistency as the Reds seek to incorporate their high-profile summer signings and manage injuries picked up in a mid-week Champions League defeat to Galatasaray.
Premier League Player News & Updates
Chelsea vs. Liverpool Head-to-Head Record
Chelsea and Liverpool have met on 199 occasions, dating back to 1907 when Chelsea defeated Liverpool 4-1 in a League Division One matchup.
Liverpool lead the all-time series, winning 87 times and drawing on 46 occasions.
Over their last 10 meeting across all competitions, Liverpool having dropped points just once, winning five times and drawing four.
Fixture Trivia
Question: Which Liverpool player scored the infamous 'ghost goal' versus Chelsea in the 2025 Champions League semifinal?
Gameweek 6 Trivia: As a Newcastle player, how many goals did Newcastle's all-time leading goal scorer Alan Shearer score versus Arsenal?
Answer: Shearer scored three goals across 23 Premier League appearances (22 starts) for Newcastle versus Arsenal.
Betting Odds and Predictions for Chelsea vs. Liverpool Match
Premier League Odds Comparisons
Moneyline Odds
DraftKings: CHE +185 Draw +280, LIV +130
FanDuel: CHE +190 Draw +260, LIV +125
BetMGM: CHE +190 Draw +260, LIV +125
Bet365: CHE +180 Draw +280, LIV +130
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RECENT FORM
Chelsea (WLWLL) picked up a win in their midweek Champions League match against former boss Jose Mourinho and Benfica. They are winless across their last three Premier League games including losses to Brighton & Manchester United and a draw with Brentford.
Liverpool (LLWWW) have dropped two successive fixtures, at Crystal Palace and at Galatasaray. Prior to the string of defeats, the Reds had won seven consecutive matches.
FORMATIONS
Chelsea employ a 4-2-3-1 under Maresca with an emphasis on controlling games by controlling the ball. When in possession, look for a Chelsea full-back to join the attack to create a 3-3-5 look in the opponent's half.
Liverpool are most likely to line up in a 4-2-3-1 as well. The double-pivot protecting the talented Liverpool back line allows manager Arne Slot to provide the freedom for his full-backs to join the attack.
LINEUP NOTES & INJURY NEWS
Premier League Predicted & Confirmed Lineups
Chelsea Injury News & Lineup Notes
Chelsea will be thin at the back in their showdown with a Liverpool attack that has averaged two goals per fixture in Premier League play this season. Levi Colwill (knee) remains sidelined with a long-term knee injury. Fellow center-backs Tosin Adarabioyo (calf) and Wesley Fofana (concussion) have each been ruled out for the weekend.
Adding insult to injury, Trevoh Chalobah (suspension) will be unavailable for the fixture after being shown a straight red card in Chelsea's home loss to Brighton Hove & Albion. In the absence of their primary options, look for Maresca to pair Benoit Badiashile with Josh Acheampong ahead of goalkeeper Robert Sanchez.
In the midfield, Maresca's options are also limited as Andrey Santos (undisclosed) has been ruled out and and Dario Essugo (thigh) is thought to be sidelined until after the new year. Santos and Essugo were intended to be able to provide capable cover behind Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo. Without reinforcement, look for Maresca to bring often-injured Romeo Lavia along slowly while entertaining Reece James's inclusion in the midfield mix.
Cole Palmer (groin) and Liam Delap (hamstring) will be Chelsea's most glaring absences in attack. The duo are set for an extended spell on the sidelines with Palmer due to return after the international break and Delap's timeline being estimated as a December or January return. Joao Pedro has assumed the role of top No. 9 for the Blues while wonder-kid Estevao has shown his quality in Palmer's absence.
Liverpool Injury News & Lineup Notes
Alisson (hamstring) and Hugo Ekitike (hamstring) each picked up injuries in Liverpool's midweek Champions League loss at Galatasaray. Liverpool's No. 1 keeper is expected to be out for the showdown at Stamford Bridge, making way for Giorgi Mamardashvili to make his Premier League debut. Ekitike remains a question mark ahead of the fixture.
Midfielder Stefan Bajcetic (hamstring) has resumed training and could be included in the squad for the first time this season. Summer signing and central defender Giovanni Leoni (knee) is out for the season with a torn ACL.
KEY MATCHUPS
Liverpool Attack vs. Chelsea Central Defense
The most glaring vulnerability Saturday for Chelsea will be their rotation and inexperience across their defense. I anticipate the experienced trio of Mohamed Salah, Cody Gakpo and Alexander Isak to test the organization of the inexperienced Chelsea defensive unit.
Estevao vs. Milos Kerkez
Two high-profile summer signings are likely to face-off on the flank Saturday as dribbling virtuoso Estevao will bring his deft touch to test versus Kerkez. In a fixture where so much attention will be given to the center of the park, look for this matchup on the edge to play an influential role in determining the outcome.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Moises Caicedo plays an integral role in both protecting the Chelsea backline and transitioning play forward into attack. The holding midfielder must play like a man possessed if Chelsea are to earn a result versus the league-leaders. Caicedo leads the Premier League with 17 interceptions and 12 fouls won while also having scored twice across six Premier League appearances (six starts).
PREDICTED RESULT
Chelsea 1 - Liverpool 1
UPCOMING FIXTURES
Chelsea: Oct. 18 at Nottingham Forest
Liverpool: Oct. 19 vs. Manchester United
