Chelsea vs Liverpool: EPL Match Preview, Predicted Line-ups and Fantasy XI

Mauricio Pochettino begins his reign as head coach with a blockbuster Premier League opener against Jurgen Klopp during Chelsea vs Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon.

Match Details:

• Location: London, England
• Stadium: Stamford Bridge
• Date: Sunday 13 August 
• Kick-off Time: 16:30 BST / 11:30 ET / 08:30 PT
• Referee: Anthony Taylor
• VAR: Darren England

Chelsea vs Liverpool: Match Preview

The Blues had a disappointing Premier League campaign in the 2022/23 season, finishing 12th in the league table. They will be desperate to make amends this time around, and it remains to be seen whether Mauricio Pochettino can get them firing and all cylinders once again.

Chelsea have spent significant sums of money on new signings over the past year, and they will be expected to deliver on the pitch now. 

1️⃣ day to go… ⏳

We get our @premierleague campaign underway tomorrow 👊 pic.twitter.com/zmUgeog771

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) August 12, 2023

On the other hand, the Reds have had significant chopping and changing in the midfield. And it will be interesting to see if Jurgen Klopp's new-look Liverpool midfield can deliver the goods in a tough away game vs Chelsea on the opening weekend.

Liverpool missed out on Champions League qualification last season, and they will be looking to bounce back strongly and secure a top-four finish this season.

😎 pic.twitter.com/jE7FtqHqUI

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) August 11, 2023

The Reds certainly have the quality in their squad to push for major trophies and new signings like Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai will look to hit the ground running at their new club.

Team News:

Chelsea:

The Blues have a number of injury issues heading into the opening game of the season. Christopher Nkunku has been sidelined for several months with ligament damage.

😁 pic.twitter.com/OEz6tql4Br

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) August 11, 2023

Benoit Badiashile and Wesley Fofana are injured as well. Meanwhile, youngster Armando Broja is still recovering from his injury from last season.

Liverpool:

Liverpool could be without Thiago Alcantara for this game. The Spanish international is back in training, but he might not be ready to start the game just yet. Youngster Stefan Bajcetic is in a similar situation.

Chelsea vs Liverpool: Head to Head

• Liverpool have a good historical record against Chelsea and have won 84 out of the 194 matches played between the two teams, as opposed to Chelsea's 65 victories.
• The last six matches between Liverpool and Chelsea have produced draws – the longest run of draws played out by Liverpool against a single opponent in the English top flight.
• Each of the last four matches between Liverpool and Chelsea have ended in 0-0 draws – no fixtures in Premier League history has produced five consecutive goalless draws.
• This is only the second meeting between Liverpool and Chelsea on the opening weekend of a Premier League season – the previous such game between the two teams took place in 2003 and ended in a 2-1 victory for Chelsea.
• Chelsea have won 20 games in the opening weekends of the Premier League this season – more than any other team in the competition.

Chelsea vs Liverpool: Predicted Line-ups:

Chelsea predicted lineup (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; James, Silva, Colwill, Chilwell; Gallagher, Fernandez; Sterling, Chukwuemeka, Mudryk; Jackson

Liverpool predicted lineup (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Szoboszlai, Jones, Mac Allister; Salah, Gakpo, Diaz

CHE vs LIV: Fantasy XI

Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, James, Fernandez, Szoboszlai, Mudryk; Jackson, Salah, Gakpo.