Premier League 2026 Preview: Liverpool vs Chelsea – Prediction, Team News, Lineups
Three games away from the end of the Premier League 2025/26 season, we enter what can be called the most critical phase of the tournament, as Liverpool are due to face Chelsea at home for a pivotal midday clash. Coming into such a fixture is difficult for any side, especially when you find yourself occupying the fourth position in the league table after amassing 58 points with nothing but your goal difference in comparison to an improving Aston Villa side.
Chelsea, meanwhile, occupy ninth place in the Premier League table after earning 48 points so far in the season. It hasn’t been an easy run for the Blues given their managerial problems this year. Thus, a visit to Merseyside will serve as a dual-purpose mission for the Londoners, being the role of the spoiler and hoping to finish in the top half of the table at the end of the campaign. Over the past couple of seasons, there have been no shortage of classic games played between the two sides and Saturday’s 12:30 PM kick-off promises yet another tense, tactical chess match under the Anfield microscope.
FORM
- Liverpool (WLWWL)
- Chelsea (LLLWL)
Although faced with immense pressure in securing a top four finish, Liverpool seem to have sustained the good run of form and intense atmosphere of Anfield that allows them to secure results. On the other hand, Chelsea need to create some momentum after their difficult spring campaign when they have suffered an injury outbreak and lost six straight games in the league.
INSIGHTS
- Liverpool are tied with Aston Villa for fourth spot (both teams have 58 points), meaning a win against Chelsea is mandatory.
- Liverpool have tasted defeat in 18 games across all competitions. This is their highest tally since 2009-10.
- Chelsea find themselves in a six-game losing streak in the league. The last time that happened was way back in 1993.
- Dominik Szoboszlai is the first Liverpool midfielder since Steven Gerrard in 2013-14 to score 10+ goals and provide 10+ assists.
Team News
Liverpool
There was some huge news delivered by Arne Slot delivered in his Friday press conference: Alexander Isak is fit to return after missing the defeat to Manchester United with a minor injury. In another surprise boost, Giorgi Mamardashvili is back in contention a week ahead of schedule following a cut to his head. Ibrahima Konate also returns. However, first-choice keeper Alisson Becker and talisman Mohamed Salah remain sidelined due to hamstring issues and are expected back before the end of the season.
Expected XI: Mamardashvili; Jones, Van Dijk, Konate, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Szoboszlai; Frimpong, Wirtz, Gakpo; Isak.
Chelsea
Blues are faced with yet another equally tough decision when it comes to player selection before they travel to Merseyside. Considering the non-availability of both Pedro Neto and Alejandro Garnacho, along with Derry failing to play due to sustaining injuries after banging heads with those of Forest, it means that there are no other wingers at the disposal of Chelsea apart from Estevao and Jamie Gittens, who are also injured. As a result, Joao Pedro will have to start off as second choice for left winger while Cole Palmer takes up position of right winger.
Expected XI: Jorgensen; Gusto, Chalobah, Colwill, Cucurella; Lavia, Caicedo; Palmer, Fernandez, Joao Pedro; Delap.
Prediction: A 2-1 victory for Liverpool. Chelsea are missing a lot of their key attacking players, and the return of Isak should give Liverpool an edge they need at Anfield.
