Chelsea vs Liverpool. Premier League.
Stamford BridgeAttendance41,514.
Friday 16 September 2016 20:01, UK
Antonio Conte's unbeaten start to his Chelsea tenure will face its biggest test when Liverpool visit Stamford Bridge, live on Friday Night Football on Sky Sports 1 HD from 6.30pm.
Last weekend's 2-2 draw with Swansea is the only blip for a much-improved Chelsea, who have taken 10 points from four games and are back in their familiar spot in the top four after last season's mid-table slump.
The Friday Night Football game - live on Sky Sports 1 - will also see two of the most vibrant Premier League managers meet, with Jurgen Klopp full of praise for his opposite number ahead of the game.
"He is a great manager, something like the 'Pep Guardiola of Juventus' if you want," Klopp said. "He looks quite emotional, even when they don't score.
"They were champions two years ago and then had a difficult year and they changed their manager," he added.
"Last season was not a Chelsea season and now they are back on track, so we need to be ready for a real challenge."
Chelsea are missing Terry with an ankle injury, with the skipper joining fellow centre-back Kurt Zouma on the sidelines. Zouma is a long-term absentee with a knee ligament problem. Squad player Marco van Ginkel is the only other injury concern for the Blues.
Liverpool also have concerns over the fitness of a central defender, although Dejan Lovren is expected to be ready to play after bruising his eye in the win over Leicester. Emre Can is struggling to recover from an ankle injury in time, while Joe Gomez remains out but is inching closer to a return to training.
How to watch
This game is the second Friday Night Football of the season on Sky Sports. Tune in from 6.30pm on Sky Sports 1 HD as Jeff Stelling and Rachel Riley bring you pre-match build-up in the company of Thierry Henry, Jamie Carragher and Graeme Souness.
You'll see big-name interviews before the match as Henry chats to Chelsea boss Antonio Conte, Jamie Carragher meets Liverpool's Sadio Mane, Tubes hangs out with Gary Cahill and Geoff Shreeves sits down with Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp.
Plus we'll have an alternative look at the game from Jamie Redknapp, James Cordon, Jack Whitehall and Andrew Flintoff.
Martin Tyler and Gary Neville are in the commentary box for the game and Chris Kamara will also be at Stamford Bridge, taking you behind the scenes in his own inimitable style.
If you're out and about you can watch on Sky Go or follow the live blog on our digital platforms with in-game goals and highlights available to Sky Sports customers on the new Football Score Centre App.
Not a Sky Sports subscriber? Why not sign up for a 24-hour NOW TV pass for just £6.99.
This will be the 53rd meeting between these two sides in all competitions this century, more than any other two teams in English professional football.
Chelsea have lost just once in their last eight Premier League games against Liverpool, though that was in this fixture last season (W3 D4).
Chelsea have lost just once on a Friday in the Premier League, losing 4-2 to Charlton Athletic in December 2003 (W2 D3).
Liverpool have won four of their last five Premier League games contested on a Friday, losing the other to Arsenal in April 2004.
If Chelsea win, it will be the 27th home win in this fixture in the Premier League (currently 13 each) - no Premier League fixture has had more (Liverpool v Newcastle also 27).
Jurgen Klopp recorded his first Premier League win versus Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in October 2015.
Diego Costa has scored five goals in his last five Premier League appearances, including four in four under Conte this season.
The Reds have scored more Premier League goals in 2016 than any other side (50), with 24 of these coming away from home - a joint league-high alongside Tottenham.
Chelsea have kept just one clean sheet in their last 14 home league games, though this was in their last fixture against Burnley (3-0).
The Blues have won their last two home league games - they've not won three in a row at Stamford Bridge since May 2015, when they sealed the Premier League title against Crystal Palace.
Klopp's side have conceded in each of their last eight Premier League away games - they last went nine without a clean sheet in May 2005.
Conte has not lost any of his last 30 home league matches as a manager (W28 D2 L0) - his last home defeat in league competition came on January 6th 2013 for Juventus against Sampdoria. He has won his last 21 league games at home as a manager.
Chelsea have only allowed their opponents seven shots on target in their four Premier League games (a league-low) but they have conceded four goals from these.
This is a hard game for Chelsea because no John Terry makes a big difference for the hosts, especially as it means David Luiz comes in.
You don't know what Liverpool will turn up. Will it be the hot one at home to Leicester, or the one that went to Burnley and got beaten.
I expect it to be an entertaining match. Chelsea are playing quite open and scoring goals, and Liverpool the same.
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-2
Betting
Chelsea are Sky Bet's 6/5 favourites for the victory, with Liverpool up against odds of 23/10 for the win and 5/2 to leave with a point. Friday Night Football brings together the third and fourth favourites in the Premier League betting, with the Blues currently 5/1 chances while Jurgen Klopp's men are 10/1. Diego Costa heads the first goalscorer betting at 4/1 and is 11/2 for another brace, while Daniel Sturridge is considered the Reds' main goal threat at 11/2.
In Off the Bar
Friday Night Football is back on Sky Sports screens this week and so is Carling In Off The Bar, our new online show.
Soccer AM's Adam Smith and Laura Woods will be live from the Leather Bottle in Wimbledon and you can watch the fun unfold from 6pm on skysports.com and the Sky Sports apps, as well as on Soccer AM's YouTube and Facebook pages.
After the Stamford Bridge clash, you'll be able to join us again from 10.45pm for reaction and chatter. The show will also air on Sky Sports 1 at 10.45pm.
Smithy and Laura will be joined by former Fulham and Hull midfielder Jimmy Bullard as well as comedian and impressionist Darren Farley and football freestyler Andrew Henderson.
