Tonight’s Premier League encounter at Stamford Bridge takes center stage in our Chelsea vs Liverpool prediction and preview. Will the Blues topple the Reds?
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Chelsea vs Liverpool: Preview
Chelsea against Liverpool is always a big match, no matter the context. The anticipation this weekend is heightened by both clubs’ strong need for a positive result after disappointing midweek setbacks that have left question marks over their immediate prospects.
Enzo Maresca’s side did at least beat Benfica in a midweek Champions League clash, providing some relief after suffering successive Premier League losses to Manchester United and Brighton. Chelsea have endured consecutive league defeats for just a third time under their current manager, demonstrating the rarity of such poor sequences under the Italian’s guidance.
The Blues have not lost three league games in a row since losing four on the bounce in April/May 2023, making tonight’s fixture crucial for maintaining momentum and avoiding unwanted historical parallels. The psychological weight of potentially equaling that negative record adds extra pressure to an already high-stakes encounter.
Chelsea’s disciplinary issues were on show again on Tuesday, though, with João Pedro dismissed for a second yellow card in stoppage time, having also seen a player dismissed against both Manchester United and Brighton. This pattern of indiscipline has become a concerning trend that threatens to undermine their competitive efforts.
The statistics paint a damning picture of Chelsea’s discipline problems. Since the start of last season, Chelsea have received more cards (114 yellow, 4 red) than any other Premier League side. Among managers to take charge of 20+ games with one club, only Mauricio Pochettino at Chelsea (2.9 per game) has a higher card-per-game ratio than Maresca’s Blues (2.7).
Trevoh Chalobah’s red card in the 3-1 loss to Brighton last weekend means he is suspended here, compounding Chelsea’s defensive crisis. The centre-back joins a host of players who will be unavailable for the Blues, creating selection headaches for Maresca as he attempts to organize a defensive unit capable of handling Liverpool’s potent attack.
It’s possible that Wesley Fofana and Andrey Santos return, but Tosin Adarabioyo, Levi Colwill, Liam Delap and (by far most importantly) Cole Palmer will not be involved. Palmer’s persistent groin injury represents the biggest blow, as the playmaker has been Chelsea’s most influential attacking player this season.
Liverpool have selection issues of their own, if not as many. Alisson Becker went off injured against Galatasaray in midweek, with Arne Slot all but immediately ruling him out of this game when speaking afterwards. “Normally he will not be able to play on Saturday,” he said. “That’s 99.9 per cent – I’ve already said 100 per cent, but let’s make it 99.9 [although] I think it’s 100.“
The loss of Alisson represents a massive blow for Liverpool, as the Brazilian is widely regarded as arguably the best goalkeeper in the world. His hamstring injury, which has troubled him previously, forces Slot to rely on summer signing Giorgi Mamardashvili for his Premier League debut at one of the most intimidating venues in English football.
Hugo Ekitiké and Federico Chiesa are also doubts, while young centre-back Giovanni Leoni is unlikely to be seen again this season after undergoing surgery on a torn anterior cruciate ligament. The Italian defender’s devastating injury setback so early in his Anfield career means he faces approximately a year on the sidelines.
Being without two options at centre forward could prove very problematic for Liverpool given Alexander Isak is still working his way towards full fitness. As the Swede was only a substitute in midweek, it’s reasonable to assume he will be able to start at a stadium in which he has enjoyed personal success.
Isak has scored in each of his last two Premier League appearances at Stamford Bridge, though in both cases he netted in defeats for Newcastle. Liverpool fans will hope that is not an omen if he scores on Saturday, though his personal record at the venue suggests he possesses the quality to trouble Chelsea’s makeshift defense.
Assuming the Reds are without arguably the best goalkeeper in the world and their most in-form forward, the challenge of improving their rocky week will only be harder. Their 1-0 loss in Istanbul was preceded by a 2-1 defeat to Crystal Palace, losing to a late goal for a change after scoring so many themselves this season.
Three of Liverpool’s first six Premier League games this season have seen a 90th-minute winning goal, with the Reds profiting against Newcastle and Burnley. They are the first side ever to have three 90th-minute winners scored across their first six Premier League games of a season, demonstrating their remarkable capacity for late drama.
Whether they end up needing one here, Liverpool are looking to avoid losing consecutive Premier League matches for the first time since April 2023. The Reds have also lost their last three in London, their worst losing streak in the capital since between October 2009 and November 2010 (in which time they experienced four defeats).
Chelsea have their own negative history to contend with too. The Blues have lost four of their last five home Premier League matches against reigning champions, suggesting they struggle psychologically when hosting teams carrying the weight of recent success.
They have also lost three Premier League matches when scoring first in 2025, their most in a single year since 2018, so if they take the lead here it is no guarantee of three points. This troubling pattern indicates defensive frailties that persist even when Chelsea establish early advantages.
After their 3-1 win in May, Chelsea could enjoy back-to-back league wins over Liverpool for the first time since November 2014, when they ended a run of three victories in a row. They will need to be on guard right up to the full-time whistle, though, given Liverpool’s proven capacity for late comebacks.
Chelsea vs Liverpool: Head-to-Head
Liverpool are winless in their last four Premier League games at Stamford Bridge and could lose away to Chelsea two seasons running in the league for the first time since losing three on the bounce from 2004-05 to 2006-07. This concerning trend at one of their traditional strongholds represents a psychological barrier Slot will be desperate to break.
The Reds’ defeat in May needs putting into context, though. They had already secured the Premier League title so had nothing at stake, whereas the Blues were battling for UEFA Champions League qualification. Slot’s men didn’t win any of their four games after clinching the title (D2 L2), which suggests standards may have understandably dropped during that period.
Liverpool were unbeaten in 10 meetings with Chelsea in all competitions prior to that May defeat, demonstrating their historical dominance in this fixture during their recent trophy-laden period. They had also lost just one of the preceding 13 Premier League encounters, highlighting the dramatic shift in fortunes at Stamford Bridge.
The historical context reveals that Chelsea’s recent home advantage against Liverpool represents a reversal of the broader trend. Liverpool’s struggles at Stamford Bridge contrast sharply with their overall superiority in this fixture over the past decade, making tonight’s encounter a fascinating test of whether this venue-specific dominance can continue.
Chelsea vs Liverpool: Team News and Predicted Lineup
Chelsea – Team News
Chelsea have eight players out for tonight’s visit of Premier League champions Liverpool, creating significant squad management challenges for Enzo Maresca. The top-flight leaders are the visitors to Stamford Bridge in the evening kick-off, and the Blues boss must again contend with a shrunken squad following a spate of injuries.
Chelsea also have Trevoh Chalobah unavailable as he serves a suspension following his red card in the 3-1 defeat by Brighton. Chalobah’s ban has compounded the shortage of centre-backs caused by injuries to Tosin Adarabioyo and Levi Colwill and the need for Wesley Fofana to observe the 12-day concussion protocol.
That means Maresca has only Benoit Badiashile and 19-year-old pair Josh Acheampong and Jorrel Hato to choose from as he decides on a centre-back pairing to try and stop Liverpool. The inexperience of his available options creates genuine concerns about Chelsea’s ability to handle Liverpool’s attacking threat.
He could push Moises Caicedo back into defence, but it is likely that the Ecuadorian will be needed in his usual defensive midfield position where his ball-winning abilities and tactical intelligence are most effective.
Cole Palmer is out until after the international break with his persistent groin injury, representing Chelsea’s most significant absentee. The playmaker’s creative influence and goal-scoring threat will be sorely missed against Liverpool’s organized defensive structure.
Maresca could bring Romeo Lavia into midfield and select Enzo Fernandez as a No10, pushing Joao Pedro back into the No9 role after a couple of disappointing performances by Tyrique George when deputising as a striker. This tactical adjustment would provide additional creativity while maintaining defensive solidity.
Another option is for Fernandez and Caicedo to remain midfield partners and Facundo Buonanotte to play in the No10 role behind Joao Pedro. This approach would prioritize ball retention and build-up play over direct attacking thrust.
Midfielder Andrey Santos is also out until after the international break, and Liam Delap and Dario Essugo are long-term absentees. Reece James came off the bench against Benfica in the Champions League on Tuesday and is expected to return to the starting lineup against Liverpool.
Chelsea – Predicted XI (4-2-3-1)
- Goalkeeper: Sánchez
- Defenders: James, Acheampong, Badiashile, Cucurella
- Midfielders: Caicedo, Fernández, Buonanotte
- Forwards: Estêvão, Neto, João Pedro
Liverpool – Team News
Liverpool will be without the injured Alisson Becker for tonight’s trip to face Chelsea in the Premier League. The Reds suffered a huge blow when their first-choice goalkeeper injured his hamstring and was forced off in the second half of Tuesday’s shock 1-0 defeat by Galatasaray in the Champions League.
While a time frame for Alisson’s return is not yet known, Arne Slot does expect to be without the Brazilian for the Chelsea game and potentially the visit of Manchester United after the international break. The goalkeeper’s history of hamstring problems raises concerns about a potentially lengthy absence.
“It depends on how fast the recovery goes, so it’s clear that he is not going to play for Brazil,” Slot told reporters. “I will be surprised if he [Alisson] will be there for the first game after the international break. From there on things can go a bit faster or a bit slower. It’s difficult to say the amount of days and weeks. For the upcoming games he will not be apart of us or the Brazil team.“
With Alisson definitely sidelined, summer signing Giorgi Mamardashvili will make his Premier League debut for Liverpool at Stamford Bridge, having deputised for the final 35 minutes off the bench against Galatasaray and also started in the Carabao Cup win over Southampton. The Georgian international should be backed up in west London by fellow new arrival Freddie Woodman.
Hugo Ekitiké also went off injured in Istanbul, but Slot is optimistic the Frenchman will be involved against Chelsea. His potential availability provides attacking depth that could prove crucial in a high-intensity encounter.
Alexander Isak would likely have been in line to start up front against Chelsea anyway, with the British record signing and Mohamed Salah having both been named on the bench in midweek before coming on in the second half, along with Alexis Mac Allister and Conor Bradley.
Federico Chiesa will need to be assessed after missing the Galatasaray game with what Slot described as a “little niggle”, while Giovanni Leoni has now undergone surgery on a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee suffered on debut against Southampton.
Slot expects the Italian defender to be on the sidelines for around a year as he recovers from such a devastating setback so early in his Anfield career, representing a cruel blow for the young player’s development.
Liverpool – Predicted XI (4-2-3-1)
- Goalkeeper: Mamardashvili
- Defenders: Bradley, Van Dijk, Konaté, Kerkez
- Midfielders: Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai,
- Forwards: Salah, Wirtz, Isak
Chelsea vs Liverpool: Prediction
This is an intriguing matchup, purely because both sides are desperate for a win after disappointing weeks that have raised questions about their consistency and ability to handle pressure situations.
Liverpool have proven inconsistent this season despite their league-leading position. They are continuing to score at an impressive rate, but are equally flimsy at the back, conceding goals at crucial moments that suggest defensive organization remains a work in progress.
They have developed a knack, too, for giving up leads, though their capacity for late winners has often masked these vulnerabilities. The absence of Alisson removes their most reliable defensive presence, potentially exposing these weaknesses against Chelsea’s attack.
Chelsea themselves are far from perfect this season, but if there is one thing they can do well, it is fight. They showed against Benfica their ability to win ugly, dragging out a gritty 1-0 win despite not being at their glittering best.
The Blues’ defensive crisis creates genuine concerns about their capacity to handle Liverpool’s attacking quality, particularly with inexperienced center-backs facing Mohamed Salah and Alexander Isak. However, their fighting spirit and home advantage could prove decisive factors.
If they can replicate their pragmatic approach from Tuesday at the Bridge, they stand a good chance of coming away with a result. The combination of Liverpool’s defensive vulnerabilities, Alisson’s absence, and Chelsea’s desperation for points creates the conditions for a home victory.
Prediction: Chelsea 2–1 Liverpool
When and Where to Watch Chelsea vs Liverpool in India? Broadcast and Streaming Details
Indian football fans can catch the Chelsea vs Liverpool Premier League clash live on Saturday, October 4, 2025, with kick-off scheduled for 10:00 PM IST at Stamford Bridge in London. The match will be telecast on Star Sports Network channels.
For digital streaming, JioHotstar will provide live coverage of the fixture, though viewers will need a subscription to access the content. This platform offers comprehensive Premier League coverage for Indian audiences seeking high-quality streaming options.
This heavyweight Premier League encounter between two clubs desperate for points promises to be a tactical battle with significant implications for the title race, making it essential viewing for Indian football enthusiasts who can enjoy comprehensive coverage across multiple platforms.
Read More: Shubman Gill Named India’s ODI Captain as Kohli and Rohit Return for Australia Series
FAQs
When and where is the Chelsea vs Liverpool match?
The Premier League fixture takes place on Saturday, October 4, 2025, at 10 PM IST at Stamford Bridge in London, England.
How can Indian fans watch the match?
Live coverage is available on Star Sports Network channels and streaming on JioHotstar with a subscription.
What’s the recent head-to-head record?
Liverpool are winless in their last four Premier League games at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea won 3-1 in May 2025, but Liverpool were unbeaten in 10 meetings before that.
Which key players are injured for both teams?
Chelsea are without Cole Palmer (groin), Chalobah (suspended), Adarabioyo, Colwill, Fofana, Delap, Santos, and Essugo. Liverpool miss Alisson (hamstring), Leoni (ACL), with Ekitiké and Chiesa doubtful.
What are the key stats and records?
Chelsea have received more cards than any Premier League side since last season (114 yellow, 4 red). Liverpool are the first team ever to score three 90th-minute winners in their first six games of a Premier League season. Liverpool have lost their last three games in London.
