Chelsea will be aiming to enhance their top-four ambitions when they visit Anfield to face newly-crowned Premier League champions Liverpool on Wednesday.
The Blues currently sit third, although the mammoth 30-point gap between them and Liverpool underlines the gulf between the two teams.
However, this may be a good time to face Jurgen Klopp’s side. The Reds have dropped off since securing the title, winning just three of their seven league games since the restart.
Following a goalless draw with Merseyside rivals Everton in their first game back, Liverpool wrapped up the title with a 4-0 victory over Crystal Palace.
But since then, defeats to Manchester City and Arsenal, along with a draw against Burnley, mean that the club won’t break the record points haul for a single Premier League campaign.
Still, Klopp will want his players to finish the season on a high. Let’s not forget just how good Liverpool have been in 2019/20.
Chelsea have won five of their seven league games since the resumption, with victories over Aston Villa, Man City, Watford, Crystal Palace, and Norwich keeping them in the top four.
Defeats to West Ham and Sheffield United have prevented the Blues from officially booking their spot in next season’s Champions League. But a win on Wednesday would confirm their top-four status.
Chelsea will come into this game brimming with confidence after ending Manchester United’s 19-game unbeaten streak on Sunday.
Goals from Olivier Giroud, Mason Mount, and Harry Maguire (OG) saw the club advance into the FA Cup final with a 3-1 victory at Old Trafford.
Head-to-head: On their way to the FA Cup final, Chelsea beat Liverpool 2-0 in the fifth round back in March. However, that was the Blues’ first victory over the Reds in five attempts.
In the reverse fixture earlier in the campaign, Liverpool beat Chelsea 2-1 back in September, with goals from Trent Alexander-Arnold and Roberto Firmino.
Team news: Joel Matip and Jordan Henderson will miss the rest of the season through injury, although James Milner is in line to return for Liverpool.
As for Chelsea, Billy Gilmour is ruled out until next term following an operation, while fellow midfielder N’Golo Kante is an injury doubt for Wednesday.
Needless to say, Chelsea clearly need the points more than Liverpool at the moment. However, the newly-crowned champions will be eager to finish the season on a high.
Forebet predicts that Liverpool’s superiority will shine through. Both teams are likely to score, but the home side should outscore the visitors.