Chelsea vs Liverpool Preview, Team News, Likely Line-Ups & Predicted Score

Liverpool will be hoping to keep alive their hopes of finishing in the top four when they take on Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon.

The Blues wrapped-up the Premier League title last Sunday after beating Crystal Palace 1-0 at the Bridge and Jose Mourinho has given his squad an extended break following their triumph.

However, the Portuguese boss insists his players are still highly motivated to win their remaining fixtures and come into the game having won six of their last seven matches, so will no doubt prove to be tough opposition despite having virtually nothing left to play for.

Liverpool kept in touch with fourth-placed Manchester United with a late 2-1 victory over Queens Park Rangers last weekend so Brendan Rodgers will be keen to keep their Champions League hopes alive by getting one over his old friend Jose tomorrow.

Team news

Chelsea are unlikely to take any risks with Diego Costa so the striker is expected to be rested once again as he continues to nurse a niggling hamstring injury.

Oscar has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a thigh injury while Ramires is also a major doubt.

Mourinho insists he won’t make wholesale changes to his side but the likes of Petr Cech, Filipe Luis, John Obi Mikel and Loic Remy are set for run-outs.

Liverpool will be without striker Daniel Sturridge after he was ruled out for four months following hip surgery.

Mario Balotelli returned to training this week after a foot problem and could be back among the substitutes tomorrow.

Lucas Leiva is in contention to return to the starting eleven but defender Mamadou Sakho is still missing with a hamstring injury.

Likely Line-Ups

Predicted Score

Chelsea 1-0 Liverpool: The Blues have already wrapped up the Premier League title but they will still want to finish the season strongly. They may leave out a few first team regulars, but Mourinho will still be able to field a strong team and I think they’ll just edge this one.

What team would you like to see start? What’s your predicted score?