Fernando Torres will try to turn the tables around and look to haunt his old club Liverpool, after the Spaniard's nightmare games in a Chelsea shirt against the Reds.
Chelsea have lost all matches against Liverpool, while Torres has played for his current club, and the only time the Blues did win a tie against the Reds - the FA Cup Final - Torres was not involved.
Torres will be desperate to break the "jinx" when Brendan Rodgers' side take on the European champions at Stamford Bridge in Sunday's marquee game.
"It's a big game and now we are in second position in the table," Torres said. "We want to be at the top as soon as we can, so the first step is winning against Liverpool at Stamford Bridge."
After leading for much of the season, Chelsea relinquished their hold on the Premier League table, following a 1-1 draw with Swansea and Manchester United's 2-1 win over Arsenal. United play on Saturday and could go four points clear with a win over Aston Villa. Manchester City, who are a point behind Chelsea, and play in the earlier game Sunday, can also perceivably go ahead of the Blues with a victory over Spurs, meaning Chelsea cannot afford to drop points.
"They're our bogey team," Chelsea manager Roberto Di Matteo said. "They seem always to play exceptionally well against us and get results. It's always a difficult game against Liverpool and it's difficult to beat them.
"It hasn't happened too often in the last three seasons and we have to be aware of that, focused, and try to play a good game to be able to win.
"They always seem to play us in a moment where we are not at our best. On Sunday we are in good spirit, full of confidence and the team is playing well so hopefully it will be a different story."
However, Liverpool, apart from enjoying a good recent record against Chelsea, have also a point or two to prove. If they are to consider themselves capable of challenging for a top-four place, these are the kind of games that you must win, or at the very least put in a good performance.
Lying in 12th, with 11 points from ten games is not exactly the kind of form needed to put yourselves among the top teams, and because of just that, Liverpool will be keen to make a statement of their own.
The Reds will have their trump card in Luis Suarez, who scored a wonder goal to earn a 1-1 draw against Newcastle last weekend, and if Chelsea need to keep anybody quiet in the Liverpool lineup, it is the energetic Uruguayan.
Steven Gerrard has not come into his own this year, probably owing to the new manager and the new-look midfield, but the Liverpool captain thrives on big-match situations for his club, and will be another one to watch out for.
Chelsea, on the other hand, like they have all season, will rely on the brilliance of their trio of playmakers. Eden Hazard, Juan Mata and Oscar have been a joy to watch, and everything that is good about Chelsea going forward comes through the three.
With the chances that they create, and the spaces that open up due to their talents, it is surprising and disappointing Torres hasn't scored more goals. If there ever was a time to put in one of his best performances in the Blue shirt of Chelsea, there cannot be a better stage than in front of his own, now growing increasingly sceptical, fans against the team that made him into one of the world's best strikers.
Ashley Cole and Frank Lampard are still ruled out for the Blues, while John Terry is in line for a return, after serving a four-match ban, with David Luiz expected to be rested.
Former Chelsea player Glen Johnson has recovered from a knock, and will play for the Reds, while goalkeeper Pepe Reina remains doubtful.
All eyes will be on Torres, whether he stands up to the test will be revealed once referee Howard Webb blows the final whistle to signal the end of what promises to be another cracking Chelsea vs Liverpool game.
Expected lineups: Chelsea: Cech; Bertrand, Terry, Cahill, Ivanovic; Mikel, Ramires; Hazard, Oscar, Mata; Torres.
Liverpool: Jones; Enrique, Skrtel, Agger, Johnson; Allen, Sahin, Gerrard; Sterling, Suso, Suarez.
Prediction: 2-2
