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2025/26 Premier League MW36 – Liverpool vs. Chelsea Preview:
Can the Reds punch their Champions League ticket at Anfield?

May 7, 2026 by Marc Jerbs

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The race for the top three reaches a boiling point this Sunday, May 3, as Old Trafford hosts a North West Derby with massive Champions League implications. Kicking off at 3:30 PM BST, this Matchweek 35 showdown sees Man utd defending a slim three-point lead over Liverpool, who are currently level with Aston Villa at 58 points. Both clubs arrive in peak form; United recently secured a gritty 1-0 win at Chelsea, while Liverpool claimed bragging rights with a -1 victory in the Merseyside derby. With the season hitting its final stretch, this result will almost certainly decide the order of the European qualification spots.

The 2025-26 Premier League season reaches a fever pitch this Saturday as Anfield hosts a pivotal clash between two of England's most storied clubs. Kickoff is 12:30 PM BST. For Liverpool, the mission is clear: secure Champions League football. For Chelsea, it's about pride, European positioning, and finding rhythm ahead of their FA Cup Final appearance later this month.

The Stakes

Liverpool enters this weekend in a precarious 4th place with 58 points. Coming off a bruising 3-2 loss to Manchester United, Arne Slot's side can no longer afford any slip-ups with a surging Aston Villa breathing down their necks. A victory at home would provide much-needed breathing room in the hunt for a seat at Europe's top table next season.

Chelsea, currently occupying 9th place with 48 points, arrives in Merseyside looking to recover from a shock 3-1 home defeat to Nottingham Forest. While the top four is out of reach, Enzo Maresca's men are still fighting for a Europa League spot. With an FA Cup Final against Manchester City on the horizon, a statement win at Anfield would be the perfect morale booster for the Blues.

Injury Report

Both managers are navigating significant selection headaches as the grueling season takes its toll on key personnel.

• Liverpool: The major talking point is the availability of Mohamed Salah, who remains a massive doubt with a persistent hamstring injury. Striker Alexander Isak is also fighting to be fit following a groin strain. In goal, Giorgi Mamardashvili is sidelined with a leg injury, likely handing the gloves back to Alisson or Freddie Woodman. Midfield enforcer Wataru Endo remains out long-term with a broken ankle.
• Chelsea: The Blues are sweating on the fitness of goalkeeper Robert Sanchez and Jesse Derry, both of whom are undergoing concussion protocols following the Forest match. While Reece James and Levi Colwill are available, questions remain over their match fitness for a full 90 minutes. Fans will look to Cole Palmer to provide the creative spark, as he remains fit and central to Chelsea's attack.

Liverpool vs. Chelsea Sports Bet Odds

The Reds are the favorites to win the game. Here are our latest odds:

• The Reds are favored by a point, with a full-time result of 1.83.
• The Blues are the underdogs by a point, with a full-time result of 3.90.
• Draw has a full-time result of 4.00.
• Total is set at 2.5 goals, with the Under at 2.75 and the Over at 1.44.

Head-to-Head: History and Recent Form

This fixture is a cornerstone of the Premier League era, with over 200 competitive meetings between the sides. While Liverpool leads the all-time record with 87 wins to Chelsea's 67, the Blues have enjoyed the upper hand in recent league encounters.

Earlier this season, Chelsea claimed a 2-1 victory at Stamford Bridge thanks to a late winner from Willian Estêvão. This followed a 3-1 Chelsea win in late 2025, leaving Liverpool eager to snap a two-match losing streak against their London rivals in domestic play. However, the Reds can still draw confidence from their 2024 EFL Cup Final triumph over the Blues, and Anfield remains one of the most intimidating environments for any visiting Chelsea side.

Final Thought

Tactically, this encounter will likely be decided by how well both teams manage the transition. Liverpool's high defensive line looked vulnerable against United's speed last week, a weakness that Chelsea's pacey wingers—specifically Pedro Neto and Estêvão—will look to exploit.

However, Chelsea's own defensive lapses have been their Achilles' heel this month. If Liverpool can find a way to sharpen their finishing, even in the potential absence of Salah, the energy of the home crowd should give them the edge. Expect an end-to-end battle where Liverpool's desperation for a Top 4 finish ultimately tips the scales.

2025/26 Premier League Table

CLUB	W	D	L	PTS
Arsenal	23	7	5	76
Manchester City	21	8	5	71
Manchester United	18	10	7	64
Liverpool	17	7	11	58
Aston Villa	17	7	11	58
AFC Bournemouth	12	16	7	52
Brentford	14	9	12	51
Brighton & Hove Albion	13	11	11	50
Chelsea	13	9	13	48
Everton	13	9	13	48
Fulham	14	6	15	48
Sunderland	12	11	12	47
Newcastle United	13	6	16	45
Leeds United	10	13	12	43
Crystal Palace	11	10	13	43
Nottingham Forest	11	9	15	42
Tottenham Hotspur	9	10	16	37
West Ham United	9	9	17	36
Burnley	4	8	23	20
Wolverhampton Wanderers	3	9	23	18

2025-26 Premier League MW35 Preview - Man Utd vs. Liverpool:
Can the Red Devils spoil the Reds' Champions League charge?

April 30, 2026 by Marc Jerbs

Listen to this blog post:

The race for the top three reaches a boiling point this Sunday, May 3, as Old Trafford hosts a North West Derby with massive Champions League implications. Kicking off at 3:30 PM BST, this Matchweek 35 showdown sees Man utd defending a slim three-point lead over Liverpool, who are currently level with Aston Villa at 58 points... read more »

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St. Leger Stakes

The St. Leger Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies. It is run at Doncaster over a distance of 1 mile, 6 furlongs and 132 yards (2,937 metres), and it is scheduled to take place each year in September.

Established in 1776, the St. Leger is the oldest of Britain's five Classics. It is the last of the five to be run each year, and it is raced over a longer distance than any of the previous four.

The St. Leger is the final leg of the English Triple Crown, preceded by the 2,000 Guineas and the Derby. It also completes the Fillies' Triple Crown, which begins with the 1,000 Guineas and continues with the Oaks. In recent decades, however, the St. Leger has rarely featured a Triple Crown contender... more St. Leger Stakes info »