This weekend's match-up between Chelsea and Liverpool is truly a battle of the titans - not just on the pitch, but also in the dugout.
For while the Premier League's second- and third-placed teams wrestle for the upper hand in the title race, their managers will be embroiled in a tactical tussle of similarly storied proportions.
Carlo Ancelotti and Rafael Benitez have twice faced each other in the final of the UEFA Champions League, and the ledger stands square at once triumph apiece - the Spaniard's Reds snatching a famous victory in Istanbul in 2005, the Italian's AC Milan outfit making amends in Athens two years later.
For both gaffers and their respective charges, this meeting marks their first opportunity this season to show whether they have what it takes to trump their fellow 'Big Four' clubs - and there are doubts as to whether either will rise to the occasion.
The Blues began the campaign in blistering fashion, setting the pace with six wins on the trot. That hot streak came to an icy end last weekend, however, when they fell 3-1 at Wigan Athletic; and the midweek 1-0 victory at APOEL Nicosia has hardly inspired confidence.
The men from Merseyside, meanwhile, endured a dodgy start - which included losses to Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa in their first three games - before embarking on a six-game winning run of their own (across all competitions), culminating in the 6-1 mauling of Hull City last Saturday.
But all that progress was halted on Tuesday when a Steven Jovetic-inspired Fiorentina eased past the Anfield giants in the Champions League, once more raising questions as to whether Benitez's squad - so dominant against the big boys last season - can cut it against competitive opposition.
Thus, it promises to be an intriguing contest as both the hosts and the visitors chase their best form. Chelsea will be hoping to avoid a repeat of their last league meeting at Stamford Bridge, when a deflected Xabi Alonso strike saw Liverpool end the London club's record unbeaten run at home.
FORM GUIDE
Chelsea
Sep 30 APOEL 0-1 Chelsea (Champions League)
Sep 26 Wigan Athletic 3-1 Chelsea (Premier League)
Sep 23 Chelsea 1-0 Queens Park Rangers (League Cup)
Sep 20 Chelsea 3-0 Tottenham Hotspur (Premier League)
Sep 15 Chelsea 1-0 Porto (Champions League)
Liverpool
Sep 29 Fiorentina 2-0 Liverpool (Champions League)
Sep 26 Liverpool 6-1 Hull City (Premier League)
Sep 22 Leeds United 0-1 Liverpool (League Cup)
Sep 19 West Ham United 2-3 Liverpool (Premier League)
Sep 16 Liverpool 1-0 Debrecen (Champions League)
TEAM NEWS
Chelsea
Henrique Hilario will start in goal, as Petr Cech is suspended following his straight red card for hauling down Hugo Rodallega at Wigan last week. John Obi Mikel is also out of action, while Michael Ballack, Daniel Sturridge and Alex are all doubts.
On the plus side, Didier Drogba will return in attack after being rested in midweek, and Joe Cole - just back after a lengthy spell on the sidelines - and Deco are both available.
Possible XI: Hilario, Bosingwa, Terry, Carvalho, A. Cole, Essien, Kalou, Malouda, Lampard, Drogba, Anelka.
Liverpool
Javier Mascherano missed the Champions League at Fiorentina with a minor hamstring problem, but he is expected to reclaim his place on Sunday. Fabio Aurelio deputised in midfield at the Stadio Artemio Franchi - but with Emiliano Insua in favour at left-back, the Brazilian may have to settle for a spot on the bench.
Danish defender Daniel Agger, who has been battling a back problem, could make the matchday squad after featuring for the reserves recently. Meanwhile, Andrea Dossena (groin) has joined fellow Italian Alberto Aquilani (ankle) in the treatment room.
Possible XI: Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Skrtel, Insua, Mascherano, Lucas, Kuyt, Gerrard, Benayoun, Torres.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Chelsea - Didier Drogba
The Ivorian striker is in stunning form, his partnership with Nicolas Anelka is fast blossoming into one of Europe's finest. Furthermore, his record against Liverpool is outstanding - Jamie Carragher and Martin Skrtel will not soon forget Drogba's efforts in both legs of last term's Champions League quarter-final.
Liverpool - Lucas Leiva
Whether or not Mascherano starts, it is Lucas who will have to step up if the Reds are to win the midfield battle. The Brazilian has improved markedly - especially in an attacking capacity - this term, but he has yet to show that he can take control and enforce against strong opposition. Will he shine, or will Xabi Alonso's absence be made more noticeable than ever before?
For while the Premier League's second- and third-placed teams wrestle for the upper hand in the title race, their managers will be embroiled in a tactical tussle of similarly storied proportions.
Carlo Ancelotti and Rafael Benitez have twice faced each other in the final of the UEFA Champions League, and the ledger stands square at once triumph apiece - the Spaniard's Reds snatching a famous victory in Istanbul in 2005, the Italian's AC Milan outfit making amends in Athens two years later.
For both gaffers and their respective charges, this meeting marks their first opportunity this season to show whether they have what it takes to trump their fellow 'Big Four' clubs - and there are doubts as to whether either will rise to the occasion.
The Blues began the campaign in blistering fashion, setting the pace with six wins on the trot. That hot streak came to an icy end last weekend, however, when they fell 3-1 at Wigan Athletic; and the midweek 1-0 victory at APOEL Nicosia has hardly inspired confidence.
The men from Merseyside, meanwhile, endured a dodgy start - which included losses to Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa in their first three games - before embarking on a six-game winning run of their own (across all competitions), culminating in the 6-1 mauling of Hull City last Saturday.
But all that progress was halted on Tuesday when a Steven Jovetic-inspired Fiorentina eased past the Anfield giants in the Champions League, once more raising questions as to whether Benitez's squad - so dominant against the big boys last season - can cut it against competitive opposition.
Thus, it promises to be an intriguing contest as both the hosts and the visitors chase their best form. Chelsea will be hoping to avoid a repeat of their last league meeting at Stamford Bridge, when a deflected Xabi Alonso strike saw Liverpool end the London club's record unbeaten run at home.
FORM GUIDE
Chelsea
Sep 30 APOEL 0-1 Chelsea (Champions League)
Sep 26 Wigan Athletic 3-1 Chelsea (Premier League)
Sep 23 Chelsea 1-0 Queens Park Rangers (League Cup)
Sep 20 Chelsea 3-0 Tottenham Hotspur (Premier League)
Sep 15 Chelsea 1-0 Porto (Champions League)
Liverpool
Sep 29 Fiorentina 2-0 Liverpool (Champions League)
Sep 26 Liverpool 6-1 Hull City (Premier League)
Sep 22 Leeds United 0-1 Liverpool (League Cup)
Sep 19 West Ham United 2-3 Liverpool (Premier League)
Sep 16 Liverpool 1-0 Debrecen (Champions League)
TEAM NEWS
Chelsea
Henrique Hilario will start in goal, as Petr Cech is suspended following his straight red card for hauling down Hugo Rodallega at Wigan last week. John Obi Mikel is also out of action, while Michael Ballack, Daniel Sturridge and Alex are all doubts.
On the plus side, Didier Drogba will return in attack after being rested in midweek, and Joe Cole - just back after a lengthy spell on the sidelines - and Deco are both available.
Possible XI: Hilario, Bosingwa, Terry, Carvalho, A. Cole, Essien, Kalou, Malouda, Lampard, Drogba, Anelka.
Liverpool
Javier Mascherano missed the Champions League at Fiorentina with a minor hamstring problem, but he is expected to reclaim his place on Sunday. Fabio Aurelio deputised in midfield at the Stadio Artemio Franchi - but with Emiliano Insua in favour at left-back, the Brazilian may have to settle for a spot on the bench.
Danish defender Daniel Agger, who has been battling a back problem, could make the matchday squad after featuring for the reserves recently. Meanwhile, Andrea Dossena (groin) has joined fellow Italian Alberto Aquilani (ankle) in the treatment room.
Possible XI: Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Skrtel, Insua, Mascherano, Lucas, Kuyt, Gerrard, Benayoun, Torres.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Chelsea - Didier Drogba
The Ivorian striker is in stunning form, his partnership with Nicolas Anelka is fast blossoming into one of Europe's finest. Furthermore, his record against Liverpool is outstanding - Jamie Carragher and Martin Skrtel will not soon forget Drogba's efforts in both legs of last term's Champions League quarter-final.
Liverpool - Lucas Leiva
Whether or not Mascherano starts, it is Lucas who will have to step up if the Reds are to win the midfield battle. The Brazilian has improved markedly - especially in an attacking capacity - this term, but he has yet to show that he can take control and enforce against strong opposition. Will he shine, or will Xabi Alonso's absence be made more noticeable than ever before?
No comments:
Post a Comment