The encounter between Liverpool and Chelsea will be the central match of the EPL’s 23rd round. Both future competitors are in the leading group. Chelsea are even on the first place of the English elite, while the Reds couldn’t bear the load and fell somewhat behind recently.
The only joy for Jurgen Klopp is Sadio Mane’s soon return to the team’s squad. But the big question is in what shape the Senegalese will return, as the Liverpool forward played a lot in Africa, game intensity was high, therefore the player requires rest. It should also be noted, that Liverpool’s shape itself is far from best. The Pelicans lost their last match against Wolverhampton in the English Cup and this shows the real shape of the future hosts very eloquently.
Chelsea in their turn are strong. Conte’s team lost only once within the last five matches, which happened on the fourth of January in a match against Tottenham. Apart from that loss, victories over Stoke City, Peterborough, Leicester and Hull City were registered. Chelsea have had 11 away matches within the current season of the EPL, in which they won 8 times with one draw and two defeats, 17 goals were scored and 9 conceded.
Liverpool are currently in a bad sporting shape, while Chelsea have got the pace and will do everything possible to make the gap from the Reds even bigger and to improve their positions in the EPL’s tournament table. The Blues play remarkably in away games, better than anyone in the league and the team’s motivation is also high.
Prediction for the match: Chelsea not to lose.
