Stoke manager Mark Hughes believes Chelsea’s defence puts them at a greater advantage than Liverpool in this season’s Premier League title race.
The Potters will face both of the league’s top two over the Christmas period, beginning with an early-evening encouner at Anfield on December 27.
Chelsea currently hold a six-point lead at the summit and Hughes feels his old club have a slight edge over Jurgen Klopp’s side in the battle for domestic supremacy.
He said: “That could be the difference come the end of the season.
“Chelsea look incredibly strong and resolute and they have a set way of playing which makes them hard to break down, whereas Liverpool maybe aren’t quite as tight and seem to concede more goals.
“Chelsea have players in their squad who have been there and done it so it will be interesting to see if Liverpool can maintain their challenge right up until the end of the season.
“Klopp seems to have given them the belief they can and it seems a really positive club again.
“People will expect them to be in and around the top few places come the end of the season so it will be interesting to see where they finish.
“Whether or not they can win it, we’ll see, but they have the potential to win it.”