Liverpool
travel to newly crowned champions Chelsea hoping for a win to keep their
faint top four hopes alive.
Ahead of the live
Super Sunday clash, the Blues have reportedly
been given extra time off by Jose Mourinho after clinching the title last
Sunday, while Liverpool have been left to rue their recent slip ups in the
race for fourth.
Before victory over QPR last weekend, Brendan Rodgers’ side had failed to
take full advantage of Manchester United’s three straight defeats with a
draw at West Brom and a loss at Hull ensuring they remain rank outsiders for
the final Champions League place.
Chelsea have won six of their last seven games on their way to their fourth
title of the Premier League era, but it remains to be seen whether they can
maintain the same focus and desire having now achieved their goal.
Team news
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has yet to decide whether Diego Costa will
feature this weekend.
The 26-year-old striker's campaign has been punctuated by hamstring problems
but the Blues boss says he wants to feature, so he will balance the risk
against desire.
Oscar is out for the remainder of the season with a thigh injury, which has
kept him out of the recently-announced Brazil squad for the Copa America.
Striker Mario Balotelli returned to training this week after a foot injury
and could make the squad for the trip to Chelsea.
Midfielder Lucas Leiva may be in contention for a start against the
champions but defender Mamadou Sakho is still missing with a hamstring
injury.
Striker Daniel Sturridge's hip operation has ruled him out until September.
Opta facts
Jose Mourinho has won eight and lost just one of 10 Premier League matches
as a coach against Liverpool. In the 11 league meetings between his two
spells in charge, Liverpool won six and lost just two matches against the
Blues.
Liverpool have lost just one of their last four Barclays Premier League
visits to Stamford Bridge (W2 D1 L1).
The Reds have kept seven clean sheets in their last nine Premier League
matches on the road.
Simon Mignolet has kept 13 clean sheets in the Premier League this season –
only Fraser Forster (13) has kept as many.
Jose Mourinho has coached Chelsea in 96 Premier League games at Stamford
Bridge, losing just one (W75 D20 L1)
Chelsea have already won the Premier League title and on the final day of
the 2014-15 PL season, they will have led the table for 274 days of the
season – a PL record.
Merson's prediction
It all really depends on what happens in Man United’s game at Palace on
Saturday night as if United get beaten at Palace, then it is a different
kettle of fish. But Chelsea just look too good for me, they are very good at
the back and so I am going to go 2-0 to Chelsea.
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-0 (9/1 with Sky Bet)
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