The Herald (South Africa)

Blues and Reds to clash at Stamford Bridge

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Unbeaten Chelsea and Liverpool face off on Saturday at Stamford Bridge in what is the biggest clash of the Premier League season so far.

Juergen Klopp’s Liverpool have won all six league games while Chelsea’s winning streak was ended by a goalless draw at West Ham on Sunday.

But Chelsea have the psychologi­cal boost of a midweek victory over Liverpool in the League Cup, albeit in a game in which both sides made eight changes.

Klopp knows Chelsea winger Eden Hazard, who scored a brilliant solo winner after coming on as a secondhalf substitute, represents the biggest threat to his team’s perfect start.

The Belgian has been one of the few players who enjoyed a successful World Cup to make an impressive start to the season and he believes the League Cup win will boost the Blues.

“This result will give us more confidence because we drew with West Ham a few days ago,” Hazard said.

“But the game on Saturday is more important. We have got to try and beat Liverpool.”

Liverpool have won only one of their last five Premier League meetings with Chelsea, including the 1-0 defeat in their last game at Stamford Bridge in May.

Watching with interest on Saturday will be champions Manchester City, who are also unbeaten with five wins and a draw.

Pep Guardiola’s side will expect to pick up three points when they host Brighton & Hove Albion at the Etihad.

Dale Stephens (hamstring) and Pascal Gross (ankle) are ruled out for Chris Hughton’s side.

It has been another testing week for Manchester United who, following their 1-1 draw at home to Wolverhamp­ton Wanderers, were knocked out of the League Cup by secondtier side Derby County.

Added to those disappoint­ing results has been the contin- ued tension between manager Jose Mourinho and French midfielder Paul Pogba.

United now face a tricky trip to face West Ham United at London Stadium – the Hammers’ draw with Chelsea after their win at Everton has boosted the belief they can add to Mourinho’s woes.

Tottenham travel north to face bottom club Huddersfie­ld Town while Arsenal face fourth-placed Watford, who have won four of their opening games. –

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