Game Week 35 Predictions: Chelsea must beat Liverpool

Chelsea face Liverpool in a must-win clash to keep Champions League hopes alive, while Arne Slot’s side look to spoil the Stamford Bridge party.

Chelsea needs the game more than the champions, will the Kops deny them the points they need for Champions League qualification? (Photo credit: Opta)

 Chelsea vs Liverpool

Stamford Bridge Stadium

4:30pm

Chelsea’s Champions League qualification is hanging in the balance; what they do in this game will determine where they end up in this game week.

Liverpool is expected to keep things cool now; they’re champions and it’s not a home game. Arne Slot is quite competitive; he won’t like to lose. However, Chelsea should be favoured to win this in front of the Stamford Bridge fans.

It is left to be seen if the Blues will give Liverpool a deserved guard of honour, and with their ticket to the final of the Europa Conference League almost guaranteed, Chelsea can face this one squarely and get the result that would help their cause.

Arne Slot said he will tweak his team a little bit, but they’re still in celebration mood; they could take the euphoria into this game to blow Chelsea away. The host must not be complacent, as their Champions League hope is hinged on their final four games, including this one.

Manchester City and Aston Villa won on Friday and Saturday, respectively. This means the Blues are only above Villa on the log on goal difference; they must open another three-point gap to remain ahead; it’s non-negotiable.

It’s always tricky to predict what a champion would do right after a conquest; would the Kops relax and keep things simple as they have nothing to fight for anymore? Or will they enter greed mode and aim for more points?

While it’s uncertain what Liverpool would do, it’s straightforward for the Blues: win or risk top five elimination, which wouldn’t be good for Enzo Maresca. Newcastle and Manchester City look like they would nick the top four; only one of Chelsea, Forest and Villa would take the final spot.

Cole Palmer is still not at the races; he has now gone fourteen league games without a goal, and it’s worrying; Chelsea needs him now more than ever, and hitting form right now would be the best thing to happen to the team.

The midfield battle would be key. Enzo Fernandes and Moises Caicedo are expected to sit, with a possible addition of Romeo Lavia. Chelsea needs all of these men to have a good game; they cannot afford to drop points, and we can’t say that enough.

Mohammed Salah is chasing further glory; will Slot start him against his former side? Nicolas Jackson is somehow important to Chelsea too; will he come to the party on Sunday? These are questions we can’t wait to get answers for when the game begins on Sunday.

Verdict: Chelsea to win.