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.
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
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
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
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!
