Chelsea and Liverpool clash as the Premier League returns in what promises to be an entertaining game on Sunday.

Question marks abound at Chelsea

What should we anticipate from Chelsea as they enter their second year under the ownership of Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital? The answer remains uncertain. The past season was marked by disappointment, leaving no assurance that Chelsea will swiftly regain their elite status. As they trimmed their oversized squad, a substantial amount of experience was shed during the summer, replaced by untested young talents.

Nevertheless, a clean slate might be precisely what Chelsea requires. With the arrival of Mauricio Pochettino as the head coach, a sense of authority has been instilled. Pochettino’s remarkable track record at Tottenham Hotspur validates Chelsea’s decision to bring him on board. Widely recognized as one of the world’s premier coaches, Pochettino could undoubtedly elevate the team, provided there is minimal interference from higher management.

Anticipate a heightened level of intensity in Chelsea’s gameplay. The absence of European football grants Pochettino ample time to refine the team on the training field, concentrating on the development of the emerging talents at his disposal.

A newfound liveliness should infuse their style of play. Enthusiastic fans will be keenly observing the progress of Lewis Hall, Ian Maatsen, Nicolas Jackson, Carney Chukwuemeka, Noni Madueke, Andrey Santos, Levi Colwill, and Mykhaylo Mudryk under Pochettino’s guidance.

A lingering concern, however, pertains to Chelsea’s radical transformation. Notable international players have been transferred to rival top-four clubs, leaving the team with a shortage of dependable goal-scorers. The impact of the £58 million acquisition of French forward Christopher Nkunku from RB Leipzig could prove pivotal. Securing a deal for Brighton midfielder Moisés Caicedo would undoubtedly provide a much-needed boost.

A new era at Liverpool

Achieving a return to Champions League positions stands as the bare minimum, while also contending for trophies represents an ambitious objective – particularly challenging for a team navigating a transitional phase.

A collective departure of Roberto Firmino, Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, and James Milner, who amassed a combined 900 appearances under Jürgen Klopp, has prompted an acceleration of the midfield reconstruction. This process, which ideally should have commenced a year ago, is now being executed within a matter of weeks.

In the inaugural Liverpool campaign of Darwin Núñez, only Mohamed Salah managed to outscore him. However, Nunez’s unpredictable playing style and occasional squandering of opportunities stand in stark contrast to Firmino’s elegant finesse, intensifying the scrutiny on the club’s record-breaking signing.

The surge in form that Liverpool exhibited towards the end of the previous season, catalyzed by Trent Alexander-Arnold’s innovative shift to an inverted full-back role, needs to be substantiated with a strong start to the upcoming campaign.

Liverpool’s irregular performance throughout 2022-23 commenced with a hangover from their failed quadruple pursuit, a hurdle they struggled to overcome. In the initial 14 league fixtures, the Reds found themselves trailing in eight instances, as opposing teams deciphered ways to counteract and exploit Klopp’s pressing strategy.

The acquisition of Alexis Mac Allister through a cost-effective deal early in the transfer window, swiftly followed by the addition of Dominik Szoboszlai, underscores Klopp’s unwavering focus on reconstructing the midfield. This emphasis remains undeterred despite the introduction of a novel hybrid style of play.

The player to watch in this game is Mohamed Salah, who had 19 goals and 12 assists in 38 Premier League games last season. AccuScore gives Mohamed Salah a 42.72 percent chance to score against Chelsea. He had 140 SCA and 24 GCA in 38 Premier League games this season.

FBRef defines SCA as “the two offensive actions leading directly to a shot, such as passes, dribbles and drawing fouls.” GCA is “the two offensive actions leading directly to a goal, such as passes, dribbles and drawing fouls.” Let’s take a closer look at where the value is at in this matchup.

Dafabet Picks

Team to Win (Regular Time)
• Chelsea 2.85
• Liverpool 2.39
• Draw 3.55

Spread
• Chelsea 0, +0.5 (1.75)
• Liverpool 0, -0.5 (2.02)

Total
• Over 2.5, 3 (1.90)
• Under 2.5, 3 (1.83)

Key Points to Consider

Head-to-Head: These two sides last matched up in Premier League action on April 4 and the game ended in a 0-0 draw.

Projected Leaders

For Chelsea, Christopher Nkunku has a 58.36 percent chance to net the ball. He averages 2.75 shots overall per sim, 1.52 shots on goal per and 0.85 goals per sim.

For Liverpool, Mohamed Salah has a 42.72 percent chance to score. He averages 2.9 shots overall per sim, 1.38 shots on goal per and 0.56 goals per sim.

Analyst’s Pick

Liverpool 2.39

Two-star (out of four) AccuScore hot trend pick on Liverpool in this one. Average score in simulations is Liverpool 1.98 to Chelsea 1.73.

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