A massive Premier League showdown is set for Sunday as third-place Liverpool visit second-place Chelsea, with both teams trying to keep within reach of leaders Manchester City. Chelsea enter the day 11 points back of City with a 12-6-2 record. Liverpool are a point behind the Blues and 12 back of City, coming off their second loss of the season with a defeat to Leicester City last time out. A win for Chelsea would provide a boost to a team that has won just one of their last four, while Liverpool could get within nine points with a game in hand.
Here's our storylines, how you can watch the match and more:
How to watch and odds
- Date: Sunday, Jan. | Time: 11:30 a.m. ET
- Location: Stamford Bridge -- London, England
- TV: USA and Telemundo | Live stream: fuboTV (free trial)
- Odds: Chelsea +165; Draw +245; Liverpool +160 (via Caesars Sportsbook)
Storylines
Chelsea: All eyes will be on whether Romelu Lukaku starts for the team as tensions rise after his words off the pitch. Lukaku has criticized manager Thomas Tuchel in a recent interview and said that he had hoped to one day return to Inter Milan. We'll see how Tuchel handles it, and if he opts for his star forward or to makes a statement by playing others in attack. Chelsea did spend $135 million on the striker as he rejoined the club, and one would expect him to play in a match of this magnitude. If not, it could be telling. So far this season he has seven goals in 18 games.
Liverpool: The Reds have had to deal with COVID-19 as well and will be without manager Jurgen Klopp after returning a suspected positive test, the club announced on Saturday. Meanwhile, Andy Robertson remains suspended. Additionally, Alisson, Roberto Firmino and Joel Matip miss out after testing positive, with the goalkeeper being a massive blow to their chances.
Prediction
The Reds start fast, add a second on the counter in the second half and take home an impressive, narrow win. Pick: Liverpool 1, Chelsea 1
