The conclusion of the October international break means the start of a four game gauntlet for Chelsea in the Premier League that will see it face Liverpool, Newcastle, Manchester United and Arsenal in a span of 21 days.
A visit to Anfield will be the first test for Enzo Maresca's team to prove that its encouraging start of the season can be sustained against the top teams in the EPL. Chelsea lost its league opener to Manchester City but rebounded with a six game unbeaten run that has them fourth in the table, four points back of Liverpool who currently sets the pace.
Back in August it would've been unreasonable to place Chelsea among the title hopefuls and while that still seems way too optimistic, a top four finish and a return to the UEFA Champions League should be the clear objective.
The Blues go into the Oct. 20 match with notable absences. Left-back Marc Cucurella and center-back Wesley Fofana are suspended due to yellow card accumulation, meaning Maresca will be without half of his preferred back four.
If Chelsea is to emerge with a positive result then it'll have to follow a formula with important keys to success that could give it a fighting chance to win at Anfield for the first time since the early days of Thomas Tuchel's tenure.
