It’s been a disappointing title defence for Liverpool, who are only just clinging on to a top-four position in the Premier League on goal difference, but Chelsea are one of the few top-flight teams going through a worse period.
The big-spending Blues are without a permanent manager following the departure of Liam Rosenior, and they could be slipping to a bottom-half finish this season.
For the clash between two under-performing teams, we have three bets for Saturday’s opening contest at Anfield.
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Liverpool vs Chelsea Best Bets
- Liverpool to win @ 5/6
- Liverpool to win 3-0 @ 16/1
- Cody Gakpo to score at anytime @ 6/4
Reds can leave Chelsea feeling blue
Liverpool have left it to Arsenal and Manchester City to fight for the Premier League crown in what has been a weak title defence, but they should still have too much for Chelsea on Saturday.
Arne Slot is coming under increasing pressure and can ill-afford another Anfield defeat, but that should ensure that motivation remains high.
While the Reds have struggled to reach top gear on a consistent basis this term, they have still registered wins over Arsenal, Atletico Madrid, Aston Villa, Inter Milan, Marseille and Real Madrid over the course of it – suggesting there is still a team capable of reaching a high level and the same can’t be said for Chelsea.
The Blues have lost six Premier League matches on the bounce to slip to ninth in the standings, and while a European place may still be a goal, focus may have already turned to their FA Cup final with Manchester City.
Even when Chelsea downed Leeds in the semi-finals of the cup last month, that win came from only two shots on target, and an expected goals figure of just 0.38.
The club hierarchy and former managers have come in for plenty of criticism this term, with the playing squad, which is full of hugely disappointing performers, mostly escaping the heat.
A lack of quality and discipline on the roster may be the biggest issue of all at Stamford Bridge.
Liverpool set for shut-out success
Chelsea have scored only one goal in their last six top-flight matches and that was a consolation strike in 3-1 loss to Nottingham Forest on Monday night.
The Blues have suffered 3-0 defeats to Manchester City, Everton and Brighton in that dismal run and another could await at Anfield.
It’s 16/1 that the Reds win 3-0 on Merseyside, which is a big-price punt that is likely to give punters a good spin for their money.
Gakpo can steal the show
Cody Gakpo notched in Liverpool’s 3-2 defeat to Manchester United last weekend and the Dutchman will need to produce more in the absence of Hugo Ekitike and Mohamed Salah.
The 27-year-old has seven Premier League goals this season, but he is averaging 2.98 shots per 90 minutes in the top flight and that goalscoring number should be higher.
Chelsea are weak at the back, especially without the injured Reece James, and Gakpo is fancied to find the net at Anfield.
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