Michael Owen has predicted that Liverpool will continue their winning streak when they travel to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea on Sunday.
The former Reds’ forward has backed his old side to bounce back from Tuesday’s Champions League defeat to Napoli and earn their 15th consecutive Premier League victory.
Owen did, however, admit that it will be a close game against Frank Lampard’s men, claiming it could be similar to the 2-2 draw in the UEFA Super Cup back in August, a game Liverpool eventually won on penalties.
Liverpool are the only unbeaten side left in the top-flight, and already hold a five-point lead over their nearest title rivals, Manchester City.
“Despite both sides suffering midweek Champions League reverses, this is the game of the weekend and, arguably, the first serious test so far this league season of Liverpool’s title aspirations,” he wrote on his BetVictor blog.
“There was little between the sides in the European Super Cup in Istanbul last month, and I don’t expect there will be much between the sides at Stamford Bridge although I do think the Reds will gain their 15th successive league win.”
“It promises to be an absolute cracker, but Liverpool are taken to maintain their perfect start to the domestic season.”
OPINION
Owen is right to predict a close game against Chelsea, as no side find it easy travelling to Stamford Bridge. Liverpool will be eager to put the defeat against Napoli to the back of their minds with a win over the Blues. Lampard is still trying to find the right blend between youth and experience at Chelsea, which is something the Reds could certainly take advantage of come Sunday. Despite being sixth in the table, the Blues currently have the second-worst defence in the league having conceded 11 goals in their five games – seven more than the Reds. Liverpool will be looking to their prolific front-three to take advantage of that potential fragility – with opponents averaging 9.6 shots on goal per game against them according to WhoScored. To have the second-worst defence in the entire league, despite playing two newly-promoted sides, only highlights the struggles Chelsea have faced, and the daunting task of facing the likes of Sadio Mane may be too much for their defence.
