In undoubtedly the most important match of the season in terms of the Premier League title race, first-placed Liverpool and second-placed Chelsea will lock horns at Anfield on Sunday. Although Liverpool are a good five points ahead of the Blues, a loss for Brendan Rodgers’ men will mean a nervy last two games for the league leaders.
Liverpool are looking to seal their 12th consecutive league win in a row to claim the Premier League title for the first time since 1990, while Mourinho's men will be looking to spoil the party by ruining the Reds' winning streak and also to close the gap between the clubs.
A draw or a Liverpool loss would also bring Manchester City back into the fray for the league title as they will then merely need to win all their remaining four games in the season to make a case for winning the Premier League. Chelsea, however, stand a chance only if they beat Liverpool, and Manchester City drop points in their remaining four games of the season.
However, Liverpool have a formidable record at home after being beaten just once at Anfield in the league this season, and given that the Reds are in the driver’s seat in the title race, one can expect their loyal fan base to turn up the volume on Chelsea this weekend.
The fact that Liverpool also have to go for a win to avoid Manchester City breathing down their neck for the final two games of the season, may augur well for Rodgers’ men who have been at their best when playing attacking and attractive football this season.
Chelsea on the other hand, have hit a bit of low recently after their proud, 78-game unbeaten streak in the Premier League at Stamford Bridge was broken recently by Sunderland, and it will be interesting to see how they respond at Anfield on Sunday.
The most important and significant team news for Liverpool is that their ace forward Daniel Sturridge is battling to get fit in time to face his former club. The 24-year-old has a chance to get fit for Sunday’s clash, and it will be interesting to see whether Rodgers takes a gamble and plays him with 80 per cent fitness in a game that could decide the Reds’ title fate.
Should Sturridge not be fit though, Rodgers might want to play the extra man in midfield by bringing Joe Allen and play a similar formation to the one he opted for against Norwich. Playing an extra sitting midfielder in Allen gives Liverpool an insurance policy in front of their defence against a Chelsea side that can be lethal on the counter attack.
Liverpool can also take advantage of the fatigue in the Chelsea camp following the Blues’ trip to Madrid to play the semi-final of the Champions League, and could hit them hard with their frightening pace and incisive passing.
Interestingly, much like Liverpool, Chelsea are also sweating over the fitness of their star player, Eden Hazard, who missed training on the eve of the Blues’ Champions League clash against Atletico Madrid. Chelsea are hopeful that the Belgian will return for this marquee clash though it is doubtful whether the 23-year-old will be fit enough to start against the Reds.
There are more injury concerns for Blues manager Jose Mourinho, who will probably go in without his full-strength squad into a game of this stature this season. Chelsea’s talisman goalkeeper, Petr Cech, is almost certain to miss the rest of the season with a dislocated shoulder, while skipper John Terry too has been ruled out for the rest of the Premier League season after the 33-year old suffered a bad foot injury. Mourinho stated that Terry would only be available for the Champions League final at best, if the Blues qualify for it.
Mark Schwarzer will be the Blues best bet in goal in place of Cech, whilst Brazilian defender David Luiz is likely to slot in for Terry. Doubts also persist over the fitness of Chelsea’s most prolific striker Samuel Eto’o, who missed the game against Atletico with a knee injury.
Whatever distractions Chelsea have, however, Liverpool will be acutely aware that they have a poor record against the west London club with Mourinho in charge. The Portuguese has won six and lost just once in eight league meetings with Liverpool.
Rodgers has steadfastly refused to get caught up in title talk but should the best case scenario occur on Sunday his side would be nine points ahead of City who would only have three games left to play, compared to Liverpool's two.
However, Serbian enforcer Nemanja Matic will be available and fresh after being cup-tied in the Champions League on Tuesday, and one can expect the former Benfica man to play an important role in front of the Blues defence tomorrow.
Both sides need a win desperately to further their Premier League ambitions; it is expected that Mourinho will set up his team to play on the offensive, which is against his typical style of play. Liverpool will play an attractive, yet direct brand of football that their fans have been accustomed to seeing in the second-half of the season.
Meanwhile, Manchester City will keep on the chase for the Premiership title as they visit Crystal Palace, though the Citizens do not have their fate in their hands again as they are now solely reliant on Liverpool losing one of their remaining fixtures –against Chelsea, Newcastle or Crystal Palace.
City will be without Jesus Navas, David Silva and Matija Nastasic through injury, whilst Yaya Toure should return. Against a Palace side on a five-game winning spin that has lifted the threat of relegation, a run that includes wins over Chelsea and Everton, City really have a game on their hands.
However, Pellegrini does not feel the title will be decided by Liverpool's clash with Chelsea. The Chilean is still holding out hope his side can win the league, a prospect that has become increasingly unlikely in recent weeks.
City, six points behind Liverpool and with a game in hand need Chelsea to win at Anfield on Sunday but will be anxious after Mourinho hinted at fielding a weakened side to help the Blues' Champions League push.
Pellegrini told the Manchester Evening News: "I don't think Sunday will be decisive. There are a lot of examples in football to say not. If you remember the last title City won, against United, in the last few minutes, football is never finished.
Liverpool could win on Sunday and then maybe the other two games will be very difficult for them. In the end, if you have a mathematical chance to win, football will never say it is final. They are two important games on Sunday, but both teams have to win their other games as well."
Pellegrini feels the club have been hard done by with their fixture list, with runs in the League Cup - which they won and FA Cup as well as inclement weather giving them multiple games in hand.
"For us all season it has been very difficult to get to the top of the league," he added.
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