Chelsea face a crucial test in the hunt for a top-four finish in the Premier League on Sunday, as they travel to Anfield to tackle title-chasing Liverpool.
The Blues have enjoyed a fine winning streak in recent weeks and sit third in the standings heading into this weekend, although they have a game in hand over their nearest competitors and could slip down as far as fifth if results this weekend go against them.
Maurizio Sarri’s side have a strong recent record at Liverpool but the face that their opponents are chasing title glory, which would be their first in 29 years, makes things difficult for the travelling side.
As such, a trio of respected pundits have all backed Chelsea to suffer defeat at the hands of Liverpool this weekend - which could prove problematic as they also believe Tottenham Hotspur will ease past Huddersfield Town and Manchester United will beat West Ham.
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You can see what they had to say below.
Michael Owen (Liverpool win, Betvictor )
Liverpool take a two-goal lead to Porto on Wednesday and I feel they can maintain their title challenge against Chelsea even though the Blues have such an excellent recent record at Anfield – unbeaten in their last six in the Premier League and 2-1 winners in the League Cup earlier in the season.
Chelsea are in Europa League action in Prague on Thursday having comfortably disposed of West Ham on Monday night courtesy of another Eden Hazard masterclass.
Liverpool will have an extra 48-hours to prepare for the game and I expect to see the Reds – unbeaten in their last 37 PL games at Anfield – keep the points.
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Mark Lawrenson (2-0 Liverpool, BBC )
I think Liverpool will win this whether Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri picks his best team or not.
I was at Tuesday's win over Porto in the Champions League and the Reds should have won by more than two goals, but I always felt they could have raised their game at any time.
They have had a decent rest since Tuesday night and I don't think they were overstretched in midweek anyhow.
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Paul Merson (2-1 Liverpool, Sky Sports )
I'm not sure if Eden Hazard's going to play as the Europa League is a massive competition for Chelsea. For the manager, winning that competition is bigger for him than getting into the top four - for a manager who's never won anything before.
This is a big opportunity for [Maurizio] Sarri so it's a question of what team gets set up for Chelsea. If Chelsea play their full team, and don't worry about next Thursday, this will be game on - no question about that - but I'm just going to go for Liverpool.
Liverpool are going to get nervous. They've not won the league in 29 years, and everyone in the city is talking about it, so there's bound to be nerves. If they can get this game out of the way, Man City will have to do it the hard way.
You've seen what the pundits have had to say, now it's time to make your predictions!
This week's Footie5 fixtures: Brighton v Bournemouth, Burnley v Cardiff, Fulham v Everton, Southampton v Wolves, Sheffield United v Millwall
Maurizio Sarri transcript: Every word on Chelsea suffering, beating Slavia Prague & more
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