Prediction and odds for the game: Chelsea (9/5) vs Liverpool (6/4)

We are backing the draw at odds of 12/5

When: Sunday 2 January 2022, kick-off 16:30

Where: Stamford Bridge

On Sunday afternoon, Chelsea host Liverpool at Stamford Bridge, in what could be a massive game at the top of the Premier League table.

Chelsea

Although the Blues have not been losing any games of late, they are on a run of underwhelming results and displays, mostly resulting in draws that have seen them fall away from Premier League leaders Manchester City.

A 1-1 home draw against Brighton in their last Premier League outing was their third draw in four Premier League matches. The result does mean that the Blues are unbeaten in five league matches at least. However, the slight dip in form has seen Chelsea slip eight points behind reigning champions City.

Thomas Tuchel’s team are undefeated in their previous seven home matches in the English top-flight. However, four of their last five league matches at Stamford Bridge have finished in draws. A lack of clean sheets on home soil has proven a problem of late, as they have kept the opposition out in just one of their last eight league games on their own patch.

Liverpool

Like their hosts, Jurgen Klopp’s team’s title charge has hit a roadblock of late. A 1-0 defeat at injury-ravaged Leicester City last time out means that the Reds have taken just one point from their last two games following a 2-2 draw at Tottenham in the previous game.

Their recent mini-slump has seen slip nine points behind league leaders Manchester City. However, the men from Merseyside do have a game in hand on Pep Guardiola’s team.

The defeat at Leicester drew a rare blank in front of goal for Liverpool in the Premier League. In fact, Klopp’s team has scored at least two goals in 13 of their previous 16 matches in the English top-flight.

Liverpool’s recent away form has rather hindered their chances of catching league leaders Manchester City. Klopp’s team has now won just twice in five Premier League matches on their travels, including suffering two defeats too. The team from Merseyside have also kept just one clean sheet in that run of five away matches in the English top-flight.

Reds head coach Klopp has recently stated that two mystery players have tested positive for Covid-19, so will not feature. As of yet, the identity of the players remains unclear.

Conclusion

Both teams have struggled to maintain their early season form amid injuries and Covid-19 issues of late. With everybody fully fit and available there is not much between these two teams.

Chelsea are tough to beat at Stamford Bridge, while Liverpool have been inconsistent on their travels. With all that in mind, we are backing the draw. The other bet we are backing is for both teams to score, as neither defence has been watertight of late.

Our Tips: We are backing the draw at odds of 12/5 and/or both teams to score at odds of 8/13. (All odds are taken from Bet365)

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Can Chelsea give Liverpool the blues or will the visitors return to Merseyside with three vital points?