Preview: Chelsea

Today i preview our date with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday. After the international break i hope that all Liverpool players will come back fit and ready for this important game.

A side plot to this game is that we are also due to meet Chelsea in the Carling Cup Quarter Finals 3 days later, but because of the Tottenham game and the local organized protest in the nations capital the FA have decided to move the fixture FORWARD a day, that's right forward. The dust would barely have time to settle on the Premier League game when we have to play them again 48 hours later!

I'm not one to whinge about a congested fixture list but this is ridiculous. The FA have now put pressure on both clubs to perform entertaining and important games just 48 hours apart.

Moving on.... It's nearly imposable to pick who will play on Sunday as most of the players still haven't returned from international duty. I can say that i think that we would be lucky to see Carra and Stevie back in the line up this weekend, even after Stevie pin pointed this game as his return date. On form alone i would like to see Enrique, Suarez, Kuyt and Adam start, slim pickings i know but we really haven't gelled yet as a team, and those 3 stand out to me; oh and Pepe is a given.

Let's look at Chelsea:

Wheres the ball john? in the net!

They have been leaking goals all season only keeping 5 clean sheets in all competitions thus far, but they are scoring more goals then they are conceding, so does it matter that much? yes!

Chelsea's back 4 are vulnerable at the moment and at their last outing at home to Arsenal saw them shell 5 goals. it seems like AVB hasn't settled on his 1st choice yet and this could only aid us in breaking them down on Sunday. They are still a strong and physical side with their keeper peter cech  commanding his box, but if they defend like they did against arsenal we can easily beat them.

In the Midfield it looks like AVB likes to play 3, a holding midfielder and 2 central that link up with the front 3. I think here is where the game will be won or lost on Sunday, and here's why..

We typically play with 4 in the midfield using Lucas as a holding- floating midfielder, Adam as the play maker and Downing/Kuyt as the wingers.  so we have one extra man, at a guess Lucas will be give a marking job to do against Ramires (if he plays) this should free up space just in front for Adam to ping the ball around.

If we get stuck in, win the 50/50's in the middle third  play short and patiently i don't see why we can't beat Chelsea.

That being sad Chelsea will probably look to use their left and right backs to get the ball forward to the front 3 by passing the midfield, if we press high here and don't give Cole/Bosingwa time on the ball we can blunt the Chelsea attack

Mata has been great since joining Chelsea

Up front they are a force to be reckoned with, an embarrassment of riches. with players like Mata, Torres, Drogba, Anelka and Sturridge all playing well, and finding the net regularly.

What ever combination AVB decides to start the game on Sunday we will need to be at our best to keep them out.
Although Torres and Drogba haven't been gelling up front Sturridge, Anelka or Mata can easily step in

PITA in a Blue Shirt

Skrtel, Agger, Enrique and Johnson will need to have games of their lives to keep the front 3 quiet, it's by far Chelsea's strong point and with our nervous defense there will be goals in this game.

But which manager has one eye on the Carling Cup game 2 days later? which manager is going to show his hand at Stamford bridge on Sunday? who knows. what i do know is that both sets of fans will want 110% from their teams in both games.

With Suarez in hot form and developing a partnership with Carroll this game is our for the taking. i predict a 2-1 to Liverpool with Suarez double and Torres coming off the bench to score for Chelsea.

Thank you for reading, and i would love to hear from you so comment below!
YNWA
Stu - FTK
Pics: chelseafc.com