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CHELSEA V LIVERPOOL TAKEN FROM THE BBC.

Chelsea v Liverpool PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue: Stamford Bridge Date: Sunday, 26 October Kick-off: 1330 GMT
Coverage: Live commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Radio Merseyside & BBC Sport website with highlights on Match of the Day 2

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Chelsea hope to have defender Ashley Cole back from the hamstring injury he picked up on England duty.

But Didier Drogba (knee), Michael Ballack (foot), Joe Cole (foot) and Michael Essien (knee) are all out.

Liverpool have been boosted by the news that Steven Gerrard and Xabi Alonso have recovered from injuries sustained against Atletico Madrid in midweek.

Striker Robbie Keane (pelvis) is still a doubt while Spaniard Fernando Torres (hamstring) is definitely out.

Make your Premier League predictions

BIG-MATCH FACTS
Two of the Premier League's elite cross swords at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea and Liverpool are locked together at the summit on 20 points, with six wins a piece. Each have dropped just four points and both are looking for their fourth consecutive league victory.

They are the two remaining unbeaten clubs in the top division; Liverpool have not suffered defeat in 15 league games, Chelsea in 29 and in an amazing 86 at home over four years and eight months.

The pair are meeting for the first time since the Londoners' victory in the semi-finals of the Champions League in April, and for the 21st time in just over four years.

Rafael Benitez is looking for a first away Liverpool victory against a fellow 'Big Four' club in his watch. The Reds have only managed two points and four goals in the 12 games on the grounds of Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United since his arrival at Anfield.

The Merseysiders are making a 19th attempt to win their 19th league title, and first in the Premier League; Chelsea have two Premier League titles already, yet have an average finish in this league of fifth whereas the Reds' is fourth.

Liverpool have only registered one win from their 16 Premier League visits to Stamford Bridge; 0-1 on 7 January 2004, when Bruno Cheyrou scored the only goal of the game.

The Reds were the last team to beat Chelsea at the Bridge, prior to Arsenal's triumph in February 2004.

Liverpool have dropped more Premier League points to Chelsea away from home than to any other team on their travels (41).

Distance between the clubs: 221 miles (355 kilometres)
Liverpool are making the longest journey of any Premier League club this weekend.

CLUB FORM
CHELSEA

Club stats

Going into the weekend: 1st 20 points

2008-09 Premier League performance - best and worst categories in the league
(all statistics are ahead of this weekend's round of Premier League fixtures)

1. Won the last three league games without conceding a single goal, against Stoke (a), Aston Villa (h) and Middlesbrough (a).

2. Won 21 and drawn eight since losing 1-0 away to Arsenal on 16 December 2007 - their only defeat in 39 league outings.

3. The only club with an unbeaten Premier League record in 2008; won 19 and drawn seven of 26 matches. Their 64 points is five more than the return of Liverpool, who are the next best.

4. On the longest current run in the Premier League of 16 matches, since conceding more than a single goal in a game.

5. Scored in each of their last 20 league outings since Liverpool held them to a 0-0 draw on 10 February; the only occasion in 29 Premier League matches they failed to score.

6. Completed 39 top-flight fixtures since losing by more than a single goal; 2-0, away to Manchester United on 23 September 2007.

7. Need to score four more goals to become the fourth club to total 1,000 in the Premier League; Manchester United have scored 1,232, Arsenal 1,064 and Liverpool 1,005.

8. Not lost a league game in 86 at the Bridge since the 1-2 reverse to Arsenal on 21 February 2004 (won 62, drawn 24). Won 54 and drawn 20 of 74 at home in all competitions since the 1-2 defeat to Barcelona in the Champions League on 22 February 2006. Also, not lost in 107 domestic matches in front of the home faithful if penalty shoot-outs are excluded.

9. This is their second match against a 'Big Four' club this season; drew the first 1-1, home to Manchester United on 21 September. Not lost to a fellow member of the quartet in four since a 1-0 reverse, away to Arsenal on 16 December 2007.

10. Undefeated in 14 Premier League matches against North-West clubs; won nine and drew five since losing 2-0, away to Manchester United on 23 September 2007. Not lost at home to a North-West club since a 0-1 defeat to Liverpool on 7 January 2004.

Fixtures

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LIVERPOOL

Club stats

Going into the weekend: 2nd 20 points

2008-09 Premier League performance - best and worst categories in the league
(all statistics are ahead of this weekend's round of Premier League fixtures)

1. Won the last three league games against Everton (a), Manchester City (a) and Wigan (h), scoring eight goals in the process.

2. Won 11 and drawn four of the last 15 Premier League matches since losing 3-0, away to Manchester United on 23 March 2008.

3. The current tally of 20 points after the first eight fixtures is their start for 12 years.

4. Won all four matches in which they have conceded the opening goal.

5. Boast the strongest second-half form of any Premier League club, ending the half leading in six and drawing in two.

6. The Premier League's most dangerous club in the last 20 minutes when eight of their 13 goals have been scored.

7. Hunting successive victories over 'Big Four' clubs after beating Manchester United 2-1 at Anfield on 13 September 2008; their first maximum against a fellow member of the quartet in seven attempts.

8. Won five and drawn three of an unbeaten last eight away league matches (three wins, one draw this season), since losing at Old Trafford seven months ago.

9. Unbeaten in five Premier League games against London clubs; drawn two and won three, including the last two since a 1-0 loss away to West Ham on 30 January this year; their only defeat in 11 league games against clubs from the capital.

10. Aiming to complete a hat-trick of Premier League victories in London, in the first of back-to-back trips to the capital on their Premier League travels.

Fixtures

KEY PLAYER NOTES
CHELSEA

Squad profiles

Frank LAMPARD is a double shy of 100 career league goals (West Ham, Swansea and Chelsea), and needs a hat-trick to reach 100 career Premier League goals.

If selected:-

Nicolas ANELKA will be making his 250th career Premier League appearance (Arsenal, Manchester City, Liverpool, Bolton and Chelsea).

ANELKA will be facing a club he was once on loan to, when on Real Madrid's books. The 29 year old France international made 22 appearances (20 in the league) and scored five goals (four league) for Liverpool between December 2001 and May 2005.

Michael BALLACK will be making his 50th Premier League appearance for Chelsea.

JOE COLE will be making his 150th Premier League appearance for the Blues.

Florent MALOUDA will be making his 50th appearance in a Chelsea jersey.

If on the field from the outset:-

LAMPARD will be making his 250th league start for Chelsea.

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LIVERPOOL

Squad profiles

Jamie CARRAGHER is the only remaining outfield player to have been on the field for every minute of every one of Liverpool's Premier League matches this season.

If on the field from the outset:-

Sami HYYPIA will be making his 300th career Premier League start - all in a Liverpool shirt.

HEAD TO HEAD
Both last season's two league meetings between Chelsea and Liverpool were drawn.

Home and away
League (inc PL): Chelsea 44 wins, Liverpool 58, Draws 28
Prem: Chelsea 14 wins, Liverpool 11, Draws 7

at Chelsea only
League (inc PL): Chelsea 36 wins, Liverpool 15, Draws 14
Prem: Chelsea 11 wins, Liverpool 1, Draws 4

LAST SEASON'S CORRESPONDING GAME
Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool
10 February 2008 - Ref: Mike Riley

REFEREE
Howard Webb (Yorkshire)