match Chelsea v Liverpool 29.12.2013

 

 
Chelsea v Liverpool Betting Preview
A treat on Sunday at the top of the table as just one point separates these two sides who both have their noses in the title race. Chelsea are one point to the good over Liverpool and will at least be hoping that their unbeaten home record this season stays in tact. The Reds continued to struggle away from home as they were beaten by Man City at the Etihad on Boxing Day. Will there be a sting in their tail as they head to Stamford Bridge in search of a response

 

Chelsea v Liverpool Betting Tips:
Jose Mourinho of course has never lost a home game in the Premier League with Chelsea, and he may have his work cut out here to maintain that record. Chelsea have done tactically well on the road against title rivals this season, taking a point away at Manchester United and at Arsenal, setting up to get a point from the outset in those games. They are a different animal at home, when they attack a lot more, but how much can he open up, because Liverpool bring the pace to trouble them at the back. So Mourinho’s tactical prowess is really going to be put on the line here. The Blues took a 1-0 home win over Swansea on Boxing Day, and yet again it was another case of total dominance with the ball, but unable to put up a convincing scoreline. A goal from Eden Hazard, Chelsea’s top scorer this season, was enough to settle the game. They should have had a lot more though. After a defensive display at Arsenal, Chelsea have scored just the one goal in their last two games. What a difference a player like Luis Suarez, who can put the ball in the back of the net, would make to the Blues.

Their form at home, if not always the performances, has been convincing, having posted eight wins and no losses from their nine Premier League home games so far. In a big defensive improvement too, Chelsea have kept back to back clean sheets. There has to be an air of caution from Mourinho here, because Chelsea have had their problems at the back against quick attacks, and it could mean that this game will go under 2.5 goals at a price of 6/5, even though 66% of their home games have gone over this season. There’s a lot at stake here to suggest a tight game will happen. Mourinho would be happy with a 1-0 win and that is trading at 9/1 with Paddy Power in the Correct Score market, while a 1-1 draw at 6/1 would see a repeat of last season’s corresponding fixture. What could help Chelsea, who haven’t won in their three previous home games against Liverpool in the league, is that the Reds have struggled on the road this season. Brendan Rodgers’ men have lost three and won just one of their last five away games.

They were celebrating on their last trip to London though, as they beat Spurs 5-0. They head to the weekend down in fourth place after starting Boxing Day at the top of the table. Despite taking the lead at the Etihad, Liverpool came undone, not helped by some dodgy looking decisions by the officials, it has to be said. Still, the defeat ended a four game winning streak and they are still a side with plenty of form. They really went hammer and tong at Man City in a great open, attacking game on Boxing Day. They look very dangerous on the break with pace and can trouble Chelsea. Luis Suarez failed to find the back of the net for the first time in five league matches, but still he is trading as the best option at 5/4 in the Anytime Goalscorer market. What will give Liverpool some confidence is they haven’t lost on their last three visits to Chelsea in the league, taking two wins and a draw. Both Teams To Score could be a good option as Liverpool haven’t been great with the clean sheets this term, having conceded fifteen in nine on the road

 

 

Chelsea FC - Liverpool
Premier League: Round 19
  Sunday, December 29, 5:00 p.m.
  Stamford Bridge
  Referee: Howard Webb

 

 

 

Chelsea FC:
  Guardian: P. Cech
  Defenders: C. Azpilicueta, J. Terry, David Luiz, A. Cole
  Backgrounds: Ramires, F. Lampard, Oscar
  Forwards: E. Hazard, Fernando Torres, J. Mata
  Coach: José Mourinho
  Absent: R. Bertrand, M. Van Ginkel

Liverpool:
  Guardian: S. Mignolet
  Defenders: G. Johnson, M. Skrtel, M. Sakho, A. Cissokho
  Backgrounds: Lucas Leiva, J. Allen, P. Coutinho, J. Henderson, R. sterling
  Forwards: L. Suarez
  Coach: Brendan Rodgers
  Absent: S. Gerrard, D. Sturridge, J. Enrique

 

External Influences / Referees

In recent years, Liverpool is success at Stamford Bridge, yet the Reds rank has often been disappointing compared to Chelsea. The Blues could restore the situation, especially since they have not lost at home since January 2013. Premier League for almost two years, Chelsea FC was beaten only 4 times on his land!

 

 

Head-to-Head

Last confrontation:
April 21, 2013: Liverpool - FC Chelsea - Liverpool 2-2

  Last 10 Duels
  Chelsea wins: 3
  Liverpool Wins: 5
  Draws: 2

 

predictions

 

In this clash at the top, Chelsea FC could take a serious advantage as Liverpool just drop this week and most importantly, the Reds linked together a 2nd big sign in the space of a few days. With a bench and provided more due to the absence of Gerard and Sturridge in the camp Reds FC Chelsea should achieve a good result on this day!

 

 

Vermaelen admits may consider leaving Arsenal

Thomas Vermaelen of Arsenal Central defender Thomas Vermaelen is mulling the prospect of leaving Arsenal in January to boost his chances of playing for Belgium in the World Cup finals.

Vermaelen has struggled to regain his place in the Arsenal side after returning from a back problem and appears to have slipped down the pecking order for his country, who have qualified for their first World Cup since 2002.

He was an unused substitute in Arsenal's last three matches and also failed to start in Belgium's decisive win over Croatia on Friday even with Vincent Kompany out injured.

"Yes, I have to think about that when it's necessary," Vermaelen was quoted in British newspapers about his future at the north London club.

"Of course, never playing will not be the ideal situation for me to go to the World Cup, that's for sure."

Vermaelen, who joined Arsenal from Ajax Amsterdam in 2009, was club captain last year and has made nearly 100 appearances for the club but manager Arsene Wenger has stuck with the combination of Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny since Vermaelen returned to fitness.

"People ask me if I am concerned, but I don't panic," Vermaelen, who has spoken to Wenger about his situation, said.

"It's just a matter of injuries or suspensions to play again. Those things can happen in a split second and change my situation. That can happen tomorrow or next weekend.

"In that case, we will speak differently in January. I have to be ready for that. This situation is brand new for me."

Brazil made to work hard for win by troubled Zambia

Brazil's national soccer team players Brazil took nearly an hour to break through before finally winning 2-0 against a Zambia side who were hampered by chaotic preparations for the friendly in Beijing on Tuesday.

Oscar opened the scoring with a looping deflected shot and central defender Dede headed the second in a seven-minute spell at the Bird's Nest stadium, the unlikely venue for the first-ever meeting between next year's World Cup hosts and the 2012 African champions.

Zambia were playing under 35-year-old interim coach Patrice Beaumelle who took over eight days ago after Herve Renard, who had picked the squad, resigned to take charge of struggling French Ligue 1 side Sochaux.

The Chipolopolo, who have failed to qualify for next year's World Cup, were also without three regulars following a bizarre tug-of-war with their club TP Mazembe in Democratic Republic of Congo.

Brazil's win was their fourth in a row as they bounced back from August's shock defeat in Switzerland.

Portugal's automatic qualification hopes suffer big blow

Portugal's hopes of securing automatic qualification for next year's World Cup suffered a major blow on Friday when a late blunder by goalkeeper Rui Patricio gifted Israel a 1-1 draw in their Group F qualifier.

The result is enough to guarantee Portugal a playoff spot but victory would have kept them a point behind leaders Russia before Tuesday's final round of matches.

It means Portugal have 18 points from nine games before hosting Luxembourg, while Russia have three points more before they travel to Azerbaijan. Russia have a vastly superior goal difference, meaning they will most likely qualify automatically whatever happens on Tuesday.

A first-half goal from Portugal centre back Ricardo Costa was cancelled by Eden Ben Basat's easy chip for the visitors in the 85th minute.

Spain see off Belarus to close on World Cup spot

Holders Spain moved to the brink of qualifying for next year's World Cup finals when captain Xavi and substitute Alvaro Negredo struck in a laboured 2-1 win at home to Belarus in Group I on Friday.

The victory in Palma de Mallorca puts Spain three points clear of France with one match to play and a point against lowly Georgia in Albacete on Tuesday will secure the world and European champions a berth at the tournament in Brazil.

Spain dominated possession against an ultra-defensive Belarus, who are bottom of the group, but struggled to create clear chances until Xavi broke the deadlock in the 61st minute with a powerful strike from the edge of the area that left goalkeeper Aleksandr Gutor rooted to the spot.

Centre back Sergio Ramos was the unlikely creator of Spain's second goal 12 minutes from time when he found himself on the right wing and clipped over a perfect cross for Negredo to send a superb diving header low into the corner.

Sergei Kornilenko pulled a goal back for Belarus in the 89th minute from one of their few forays forward but it was nothing more than a consolation for the visitors.

"We weren't effective enough with the final pass but in the end we got the win and it's a very important step towards the World Cup," Xavi said in an interview with Spanish television broadcaster Telecinco.

"Alvaro's goal gave us some breathing room and at the end the Belarus goal gave us a bit of a shock but it turned out fine," he added.

"It's tough when teams shut up shop at the back with all 10 players in their half."

Xavi was captaining the side in the absence of goalkeeper Iker Casillas, who has fallen out of favour at his club Real Madrid and was replaced in the starting lineup by Xavi's Barcelona team mate Victor Valdes.

Spain coach Vicente del Bosque also handed a debut to Michu but the Swansea City forward made little impact before being replaced by Negredo in the 57th minute.

With most of Spain's attacks foundering against a massed Belarus defence, Del Bosque brought off left back Nacho Monreal at halftime and replaced him with Andres Iniesta.

The switch gave the home side even more control and their latest success continued their unbeaten run in World Cup qualifiers at home.

France, who are assured of a playoff place, play their final qualifier at home to Finland on Tuesday.

Russia hit four to stay on course for World Cup

 Russia moved closer to qualifying for next year's World Cup with a 4-0 thumping of Luxembourg on Friday that kept Fabio Capello's side top of Group F with one round of matches to play.

Russia, who have 21 points from nine matches, have qualification in their own hands before they travel to Azerbaijan for their final group match on Tuesday. Second-placed Portugal, on 17 points, were entertaining Israel on Friday.

Alexander Samedov opened the scoring in the ninth minute, with Luxembourg defender Chris Philipps trying to stop the ball with his foot but directing it into the net and Viktor Fayzulin doubled the visitors' lead half an hour later.

Denis Glushakov ensured they went into the break with a comfortable lead with a goal on the stroke of halftime, while Alexander Kerzhakov made it four on 73 minutes after being set up by Dmitry Kombarov.

"We played a very good match, with good speed and good desire," Russian media quoted Capello as saying.

"The Luxembourg match is in the past. We got the result we needed, played good football.

"We won because we controlled the ball well, pressed our opponent and didn't let Luxembourg play their game."

Bottom-of-the-table Luxembourg posed little threat for dominant Russia whose early opener set the visitors on their way.

Luxembourg goalkeeper Jonathan Joubert got a hand to the second goal, which came after captain Roman Shirokov lofted a perfect pass to Fayzulin and he flicked it home with his left foot.

Russia keeper Igor Akinfeev blocked Daniel Da Mota's shot shortly before the break and his side put the match out of reach in the second minute of first-half stoppage time when the ball fell to midfielder Glushakov who pushed a shot past Joubert.

Kerzhakov's second-half goal was the icing on the cake and came shortly after Luxembourg had missed a tantalising chance when Stefano Bensi passed the ball across the goal only to watch in disappointment as none of his team mates could drive it home.

The match before a crowd of some 8,000 in Luxembourg was briefly interrupted around the 80th minute when a fan ran onto the field and dived into one of the goals before security guards escorted him off the pitch.

'Magical' Ibra secures playoff spot for Sweden

Captain Zlatan Ibrahimovic struck a late winner to give Sweden a 2-1 victory over Austria on Friday that secured second place in World Cup Group C qualifying.

The Paris St Germain striker latched on to Kim Kallstrom's long ball and slotted home with four minutes to go to make sure Sweden finished as runners-up to group winners Germany.

"It's magical," Ibrahimovic told Swedish TV after the game. "It's a fantastic feeling. We are a step closer to the World Cup."

Germany head the group with 25 points going into the final round of qualifiers on Tuesday. Sweden have 20 points and will go into the playoffs for a place in Brazil next year. Austria are third with 14 points.

Ibrahimovic's side had to dig deep to come from behind after the visitors took a 29th-minute lead.

Marko Arnautovic surged clear down the left and his cross was touched on by Marc Janko for Martin Harnik to thump the ball home.

Johan Elmander hit the post for Sweden before half-time but it was a different story after the break as Ibrahimovic began to exert a strong influence.

The home side levelled in the 56th minute, left back Martin Olsson meeting Ibrahimovic's deft chip with a diving header.

Sweden continued to threaten, Olsson firing a left-footed drive just over as they pressed for a winner.

The game looked to be heading for a draw until substitute Kallstrom set up Ibrahimovic.

"The whole team should have credit, not only me, because we came out totally different in the second half," Ibrahimovic told reporters.

He will miss the final game of the qualifying campaign, at home to Germany on Tuesday, after picking up a late yellow card