With all due respect to Arsenal, Liverpool’s visit to Chelsea on Sunday marks the first Premier League battle between title contenders this season.

And who knows the outcome?

After all, we’re talking about a Chelsea team that lost to Wigan last Saturday and turned in a meek Champions League display midweek against minnows Apoel Nicosia. Still, Chelsea picked up all three points in Cyprus.

For all the talk of how well Chelsea began the season and Carlo Ancelotti’s smooth transition to England, the Blues needed to scrape out victories against a trio of relegation contenders, Hull City, Stoke City and Sunderland.

Ancelotti insisted he figured out Chelsea’s problems Friday.

“When you don’t play well, you do an analysis,” he said. “We’ve done that, and we have resolved (the) problem.”

Ancelotti didn’t reveal what the problem was, but assuming it wasn’t off field, it’s strange to suggest it’s been fixed without the next game even being played. His headaches pale in comparison to that of his former club, A.C. Milan, so he’ll be grateful. (Yes, Ancelotti played his part in Milan’s mess.)

Maybe resolving the problem simply means having Didier Drogba back. Drogba missed the game against Nicosia thanks to a European suspension and returns to face Rafael Benitez, one of his fiercest critics. Drogba usually shows up for big games and is in the mood this season, so back him to produce at Stamford Bridge.

Benitez has had to deal with his share of instability, too. Just when it appeared the Reds were back on track, they went out and lost 2-0 to Fiorentina in the Champions League. Every time they’ve wobbled this season, the defense, which isn’t the most mobile, and Xabi Alonso’s absence, gets mentioned – rightfully. Yossi Benayoun can’t keep up this form over the next eight months, although Liverpool fans hope he doesn’t stop Sunday.

Of course, Drogba and Fernando Torres going head-to-head is worth watching in itself. They could be the best two strikers in the world at the moment, Torres leading the division with eight goals and Drogba following with a more steady six.

A loss for Liverpool and Benitez’s men would likely trail in-form Manchester United by six points, not a small margin. A loss for Chelsea and it’s two straight in the league, setting off alarm bells.

How ‘bout a 1-1 tie?