Stamford Bridge, residence of the World Champs™ welcomes the present reigning Champions of England on this early autumn night time, October 4, 2025. Neither workforce are enjoying as much as these lofty requirements in the mean time, however hey, profitable a title earns you the suitable to name your self that title till another person wins it.
That stated, Liverpool do nonetheless come into the weekend atop the Premier League, one level forward of AFC Bournemouth (who already performed this spherical, beating Fulham, 3-1 final night time), two factors forward of Arsenal, and three factors forward of Crystal Palace, who beat them simply final weekend. We would bear in mind Palace coming to the Bridge on opening day and taking a degree from us — they continue to be the one unbeaten workforce within the league.
After that Palace defeat, Liverpool went to Istanbul and promptly took the L from Galatasaray as properly. In order that they’re both reeling and it’s a great time to play them, or they’re very offended and it’s a really unhealthy time to play them.
I suppose we’ll discover out quickly sufficient!
Date / Time: Saturday, October 4, 2025, 17.30 BST; 12:30pm EDT; 10pm IST
Venue: Stamford Bridge, SW6
Referee: Anthony Taylor (on pitch); Craig Pawson (VAR)
Forecast: Gusty winds
On TV: Sky Sports activities Principal Occasion (UK); NBC, Universo (USA); Star Sports activities Choose HD1 (India); SuperSport Premier League, Canal+ Sport 3 (NGA); elsewhere
Streaming: Sky Go (UK); Peacock, Telemundo Deportes En Vivo (USA); Disney+ Hotstar (India); DStv Now (NGA)
Chelsea workforce information: The workforce information is that there isn’t a actual information, so it’s as-you-were on the subject of accidents. I assume we will name that excellent news: no new accidents! (Only a bunch of previous ones.)
Nonetheless, Benoît Badiashile will not be able to go once more simply but, having simply returned from an extended damage layoff, whereas the likes of João Pedro and Moisés Caicedo have been simply barely passing slot in the previous couple of outings. The standing and progress of Wesley Fofana via concussion protocol additionally stays unclear. With Trevoh Chalobah suspended, we could possibly be all the way down to Josh Acheampong and Jorrel Hato at heart again. Not precisely a duo to strike concern into Reds’ hearts.
Cole Palmer, Tosin Adarabioyo, and Andrey Santos needs to be again after the worldwide break, which is developing after this sport — although Enzo Maresca was reticent to re-confirm that in Palmer’s case when requested about it in Friday’s press convention. If the 23-year-old finally ends up needing surgical procedure to right this persistent groin drawback, we’re going to remorse losing all these weeks and months in attempting to only “handle” it. In actual fact, all we’ve managed is to attain precisely only one aim in 4 straight video games in opposition to correct opposition (i.e. not third-division Lincoln Metropolis) — and we’re not more likely to repeat Tuesday’s 1-0 scoreline too usually.
Then once more, perhaps we will simply begin by not having a participant despatched off, like we’ve had in three straight video games in opposition to correct opposition (i.e. not third-division Lincoln Metropolis).
Liverpool workforce information: It’s laborious to recall a title-winning workforce present process as a lot chop and alter as Liverpool had this summer season. Simply think about if Mo Salah and Virgil van Dijk hadn’t signed new contract extensions six days aside within the spring!
Even with that, Liverpool spent extra on this window than another Premier League workforce in historical past (eclipsing even BlueCo’s 2023 summer season) they usually broke the league’s switch document not as soon as, however twice, by signing Florian Wirtz (£100+16m) after which Alexander Isak (£125m). The £79m spent on Hugo Ekitike was the third greatest deal of the entire summer season and it barely registers in comparison with these different two. Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez, and Giovanni Leoni, mixed, made up one other £100m outlay, all of which was solely partially offset by the departures of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Caoimhín Kelleher, Luis Díaz, and Darwin Núñez, amongst others.
Given all this squad upheaval — together with the tragic passing of Diogo Jota in an car accident — it’s maybe not stunning that Liverpool haven’t precisely been a properly oiled machine up to now. However one factor that is still fairly obvious within the workforce, as in all nice groups, is the profitable mentality and dedication. Six of their seven wins (in all competitions) have come courtesy of profitable targets within the 83rd minute or later, with three of these six coming in stoppage time.
The one large absence for the guests will likely be Alisson Becker, who’s been dominated out with a hamstring damage. Euro 2024-darling Giorgi Mamardashvili, who accomplished his lengthy pre-agreed transfer to Anfield this summer season, will deputize in aim. Ekitike, who leads the workforce in scoring with 5 targets in all competitions, and Federico Chiesa, who’s third in the identical class with two, are going through late health assessments whereas younger Leoni is out for the season after tearing his ACL the opposite week, on his debut. Ouch.
Beforehand: Champions-elect Liverpool have been already on the seashore final Might after we beat them, 3-1 on the Bridge. That was our first win in opposition to them in eleven tries, together with three Cup finals.
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