The Premier League returns once again this weekend with another set of entertaining fixtures in what will be the final gameweek before the international break kicks in. There’s been a whole lot to unpack after just two games being played by all 20 clubs, and on Saturday, there’s bound to be plenty more talking points after Liverpool host Chelsea at Anfield in the 5.30pm kick-off.

The Reds, under the guidance of Jurgen Klopp, have so far come across as the same professional and well set-up side that won the Premier League in the midst of the pandemic. That bodes well for them given how much uncertainty there was surrounding their immediate future as the momentum continues to build thanks to their 2-0 win over Burnley last weekend.

Chelsea are suddenly being pinpointed as the team to watch in this season’s title race and give their status as European champions, that shouldn’t be all too surprising. Thomas Tuchel is a careful, methodical man who knows exactly what he wants to get out of this team, and that was on full display in their recent 2-0 win over London rivals Arsenal.

The favourites to win this game at Liverpool at 6/4 with William Hill and that really shouldn’t come as much of a surprise. They’re at home, they always know how to show up and perform in big games under Klopp and a win here could really set them apart from the chasing pack – for a week or two, at least.

In turn you’ve got Chelsea at 23/10 with Betfair to grab a huge away day win which, actually, kind of proves how far they’ve come in such a short space of time. They aren’t going to be out of this fixture until the dying minutes if they play to their full potential and even though they’re the underdogs, it’s a pretty slender gap.

The first goalscorer odds place Romelu Lukaku at the top of the pile at 3/1 with Betfred to open up proceedings with a well-timed strike at Anfield, and that’s probably where the smart money is at. He scored on his debut, this is an efficient and well-structured system that the club has in place, and the Belgian will be eager to rubber-stamp Chelsea’s title credentials.

In terms of our official prediction we do tend to think Liverpool are going to win this one and with the stakes being as high as this, we feel like it may not actually be as entertaining as many expect. Sure, there’s going to be a whole lot of tension in the air and Chelsea will want to get up and firing early doors, but Klopp should know how to shut them down by now.

This is all dependant on whether or not Liverpool have their strongest starting XI out there but if they do, we’re leaning towards a 2-0 or 2-1 scoreline.

It isn’t exactly going to be the result that decides the title race but from a mental warfare standpoint, it’s definitely going to make a serious statement to the chasing pack.