Liverpool vs Chelsea: Predicted XI’s: Jose To Play Weak Side? Sturridge To Start?

Liverpool entertain Chelsea at Anfield on Sunday afternoon in a crucial top-of-the-table clash that will go a long way to determining where the title ends up this season. Here are our predicted line-ups.

Brendan Rodgers has just one injury doubt for the game with the club sweating on the fitness of striker Daniel Sturridge. The 24-year-old missed last weeks win over Norwich with a hamstring strain that he picked up against Manchester City the previous week, but the forward has been receiving intense treatment over the past few days and with this being such a pivotal game for the Reds, he’s expected to feature.

Lucas Leiva is the man most likely to make way with Joe Allen keeping his place to deputise for the suspended Jordan Henderson. Otherwise, Rodgers is likely to name the same team that’s performed so well for him in recent weeks.

Things aren’t quiet so straightforward in the Chelsea camp. Boss Jose Mourinho has hinted he would like to field a completely weakened side with the Portuguese coach having one eye on Wednesday’s crucial Champions League semi final second leg against Atletico Madrid.

However, while we can see Mourinho resting some key men – particularly in the final third – he isn’t the sort of man to throw a game by playing the kids, so we think he’ll put out a mixed side this weekend.

John Terry is certain to miss out with an ankle injury so we could see young Tomas Kalas come in at the back alongside Gary Cahill and Branislav Ivanovic, while Ashley Cole could get another run-out with Cesar Azpilicueta likely to be rested.

Petr Cech is out for the season with a shoulder injury, so Hilario could come in to protect Mark Schwarzer. Two guaranteed starters are Nemanaj Matic and Mohamed Salah as the duo are ineligible to play in Europe, while Ramires won’t play in the league again this season after being handed a four match ban for elbowing Seb Larsson last week.

Eden Hazard has also been ruled out of the game with the calf injury that’s hampered him in recent weeks, so Andre Schurrle could start in attack. John Obi Mikel and Frank Lampard are also expected to feature as they are suspended in midweek.

So here are the teams we think will be selected this weekend:

What do you think of our teams? What side would you select? Share your views below.