After sealing the Premier League title last weekend with a 1-0 win against Crystal Palace, Chelsea will be giving a guard of honour as the team faces eternal rivals Liverpool at Stamford Bridge today.
The Blues may be tempted to rest some of the regulars in a bid to give the fringe players the opportunity of convincing Jose Mourinho on what they can do ahead of next season.
With two matches to spare, Chelsea knows that a win or defeat will not hamper the team’s title but will want to end the season on a high.
Chelsea midfielder Nemanja Matic has warned Liverpool there will be no title hangover when Brendan Rodgers’ men travel to Stamford Bridge today.
The Blues celebrated a first Premier League crown since 2010 with a narrow victory over Crystal Palace last weekend.
“We will be prepared for those,” Matic said.
“Of course we don’t have the pressure of needing to win the league anymore, we are first whatever, but we will play seriously and try to enjoy the games we have left.
“We have done a great job this season and we want to carry on like that until the end.”
Meanwhile, Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel is relishing coming up against Diego Costa again, but claims he has had some ‘uncomfortable scrapes’ with the Spaniard.
Skrtel and Costa have had a number of skirmishes this season, most notably in the Capital One Cup.
Costa stamped on Skrtel during the Blues’ semi-final victory, but was banned for three games for committing the same offence on Emre Can.
Though Skrtel admits Costa is a tough opponent, he is relishing the challenge.
“I don’t want to say he’s a pain to play against, but he’s not comfortable,” Skrtel told Match of the Day magazine.
“He runs a lot and likes the physical side of the game.
“You have to face him and deal with that. I’ve enjoyed our games and maybe he has as well.” Agency report
