Chelsea v Liverpool preview

PREDICTIONS:
Skysports.com prediction: Chelsea 1 Liverpool 1

Sky Bet odds: Chelsea 10/11, Draw 11/5, Liverpool 7/2

One to Watch: Deco

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The top two in the Premier League clash at Stamford Bridge on Sunday as Chelsea host Liverpool, live on Sky Sports 1 and HD 1.

Chelsea currently sit at the table's summit, but only by goal difference as Liverpool lurk in close proximity after matching their weekend opponent's unbeaten start.

Liverpool's positive beginning has seen Rafa Benitez's title credentials taken more seriously than any of the Spaniard's previous four campaigns in England as the Reds start to resemble a squad which can realistically end an 18-year wait for league glory.

Luiz Felipe Scolari's Chelsea, however, have the critics purring, with the Blues ridding themselves of the conservative football played under former managers.

Intimidating

The 2005 and 2006 Premier League winners also boast a daunting 86-game unbeaten home record in the league and, with Liverpool recording only one three-point haul at Stamford Bridge in 16 visits, their opponent's task appears all the more intimidating.

Liverpool, though, have become the comeback kings this season after coming from behind against Middlesbrough, Manchester United, Manchester City and Wigan in the league to leave confidence high ahead of their trip to West London.

But Chelsea captain John Terry is as eager as any of his team-mates to deliver a dent to the aspirations of their title rivals as the England captain prepares to take his place in the heart of Scolari's defence.

The centre-back has been accused of putting club before country after featuring in last weekend's drubbing of Middlesbrough having missed the World Cup qualifiers with Kazakhstan and Andorra with a back injury, but he is now fully recovered.

Reds trio

Top-scorer Frank Lampard will continue to prove Chelsea's lynchpin in the centre of midfield, while Juliano Belletti - who was star of the show against Boro - will hope for a recall in the continued absence of Michael Ballack (foot) after dropping to the bench against Roma in the UEFA Champions League.

Liverpool have captain Steven Gerrard and midfielder Xabi Alonso available, despite fears that the star duo may miss out, but Benitez is to make a late decision on the fitness of striker Robbie Keane.

The trio were substituted against Atletico Madrid in Europe on Wednesday as Gerrard (fatigue), Keane (groin) and Alonso (knee) suffered.

But Benitez looks set to name Gerrard and Alonso in his starting XI as he attempts to compensate for the absence of Fernando Torres, who is missing with a hamstring injury, while Dirk Kuyt should return after dropping to the bench at Atletico.

Possible starting XIs:

Chelsea: Cech, Bosingwa, Carvalho, Terry, Bridge, Mikel, Lampard, Deco, Malouda, Anelka, Kalou.

Liverpool: Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Agger, Dossena, Riera, Alonso, Mascherano, Gerrard, Kuyt, Keane.