Key battle: Firmino v Kante

Friday Night Football returns for a second edition this season and involves two familiar foes, as Chelsea and Liverpool square off for the 53rd time this century – the most-played English fixture over that period.

N’Golo Kante and Roberto Firmino, who are both beginning their second year in the Premier League, are key players for either side.

Kante’s imperious debut season has been widely documented over the past 12 months. He was an all-action, ball-winning machine during Leicester’s title-winning campaign, tackling and intercepting more than any other Premier League player.

For a Chelsea side coming off a season when they conceded more goals (53) than in any campaign since 1996-97, Kante’s defensive prowess was clearly needed – and the early evidence suggests he’s already made an impact. Chelsea are unbeaten and have picked up five extra points from their corresponding fixtures last season (also beating newly-promoted Burnley).

Defensively, no side has faced fewer shots (25) or shots on target (7) in 2016-17, and the return against last season’s opponents has dramatically improved in this department.

Comparing Chelsea’s first four games this season with their opening fixtures from last year further illustrates the areas in which Kante has helped make a difference. The Blues have conceded less than half as many shots and, remarkably, under four times as many shots on target compared to this time last season.

Antonio …

continue reading in source www.skysports.com