Chelsea vs Liverpool Picks and Predictions: Salah Sinks Chelsea in EPL Opener

Every game of this Premier League opening weekend has its merits, but it’s Sunday’s Chelsea vs Liverpool clash that really has the pulses going. Both of these clubs underachieved massively last season, but there’s fresh optimism at both clubs that they’re moving forward.

Will Mauricio Pochettino get off to a winning start in West London, or will Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool signal an early warning that they plan to be part of the EPL title odds this season? Don’t miss our Chelsea vs Liverpool picks and predictions for Sunday, August 13.

Chelsea vs Liverpool best odds

Chelsea vs Liverpool picks and predictions

Let’s get straight to the point, Chelsea vs Liverpool is the Premier League game of the weekend. By the time this kicks off, we’ll have seen the reigning champions play and all three of the newly-promoted sides, but the biggest and most fascinating clash has to be this one.

It’s been a strange couple of years for both. Chelsea have seen an ownership change and some frankly strange transfer business from new owner Todd Boehly. They signed a number of players last year, many talented, but seemingly with no real decision-making behind the type of squad they wanted to build. 

Last year they had three managers; Thomas Tuchel, Graham Potter, and caretaker Frank Lampard. Now they’ve hired former Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino, and given his brilliant work for the Spurs, there are high hopes that he can turn Chelsea’s fortunes.

Liverpool managed to finish fifth in the Premier League last season, which is quite impressive given just how bad they were for the first half the year. We’ve seen gradual changes throughout Jurgen Klopp’s time at the club, but last year saw his biggest squad churn since building his title-winning team. 

Sadio Mane left, and in his place arrived Darwin Nunez. The Uruguayan was a stylistic change and it took some time to tweak the way Liverpool played, which wasn’t helped by their previously excellent backline looking past their best at times. After a summer with more recruitment, you’d expect improvement this term.

One man who didn’t let Liverpool down last season is the subject of Sunday’s best bet. That man is Mohamed Salah. 

“The Egyptian King,” as Liverpool’s adoring fans call him, finished the season in incredible form after having a poor first half of the year. Even though he didn’t go to the World Cup in Qatar, there was a marked difference in the Salah we saw either side of that tournament.

He’s now 31 years old but he’s as lethal as ever. Despite last season’s slow start he still notched 19 goals in 38 Premier League games, as well as eight in the Champions League. It feels like we’ve almost started to take his greatness for granted in many days. When discussing the Premier League’s best players you hear his name less and less, despite the fact that he’d easily start for every team on the planet. 

He's an exceptional goal scorer and I’m expecting him to get his season off to a quick start against a Chelsea team who are still in transition and will only be getting used to Pochettino’s methods. 

My best bet: Mohamed Salah to score (+162 at bet365)

Chelsea vs Liverpool same-game parlay

Mohamed Salah to score

Both teams to score

Conor Gallagher to get booked

+850 at bet365

We’ve got a juicy +850 same-game parlay for Sunday’s Chelsea vs Liverpool fixture that’s based around our best bet for the game.

Salah’s last goal against Chelsea was back in a 2-2 draw in January of 2022, and it’s time that he finds his name on the scoresheet once again.

Our second leg on the SGP is for both teams to score. Chelsea may have struggled last season but they do have attacking talent, with the likes of Mykhailo Mudryk and Raheem Sterling on the books. 

Christopher Nkunku is unfortunately injured, but that opens the door for new singing Nicolas Jackson. I was tempted to include Jackson to score anytime instead of both teams to score, which would have supersized this bet to +2500, but I decided to play it safer.

Finally, we’re going with Conor Gallagher to get booked. One area of the pitch that we haven’t seen Chelsea do much recruitment is central midfield, meaning that Gallagher should get a chance to show Pochettino what he’s made of. 

As talented as he is, it’s fair to say that he’s also a constant booking risk. Last season he picked up 10 bookings, one of which was a red in 35 Premier League games. Of those 35 games, only 18 were starts.

Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.

Chelsea vs Liverpool spread and Over/Under analysis

I think Pochettino should do wonders with this Chelsea team but it’s not going to work overnight, he’ll need time. For that reason, I’m going to be taking the +140 on a Liverpool win here. 

If they play anything like they did in the tail end of the season, then the Reds should be good value to pick up three points. The +205 on Chelsea or the +260 on the tie don’t really appeal to me at all.

The Over is the shortest price in the total goals market, coming in at -140. Under 2.5 goals clocks in at +120. I’d personally go for the Over here, and I’m expecting quite a free-flowing and open game. 

Chelsea vs Liverpool game info

Chelsea vs Liverpool key injuries

Chelsea: Christopher Nkunku FWR (Out), Benoit Badiashile CB (Out), Wesley Fofana CB (Out), Armando Broja STR (Out), Noni Madueke FWR (Questionable).
Liverpool: Thiago CM (Out), Stefan Bajcetic CM (Out).

Chelsea vs Liverpool recent form

Teams	Last five matches
Chelsea	N/A
Liverpool	N/A

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