English Other
2006-08-13 - Chelsea vs Liverpool
A Sports Betting Pick by Gooner
It seems an age since the end of the 2005/06 club football season, and Premier League fans finally get a taste of the action again in Cardiff this weekend for the FA Community Shield - the traditional top-flight curtain-raiser.
It's a nothing "trophy" immediately forgotten almost as soon as it's won - but it will give winning sides fans bragging rights for the first few weeks of the season.
PRE-SEASON ACTIVITIES
Both sides have been active buyers during the close season with Chelsea paying serious money to acquire Michael Ballack and Andrei Shevchenko as well as a host of other players.
Meanwhile Liverpool have acquired a couple of "bad boys" in Craig Bellamy and Jermaine Pennant who undoubtedly have talent - but are definitely both damaged goods.
Neither side has really impressed in pre-season, with Chelsea offering a series of lack-lustre displays in losing to an American MLS side 0-1, beating Feyenoord 1-0 and drawing with Celtic 1-1.
Still that's better than Liverpool who managed to lose three pre-season games on the trot - including a 0-5 thrashing by FC Mainz - before putting in an unconvincing performance in midweek in edging past Maccabi Haifi 2-1 at Anfield in the Champions League qualifier.
PREVIOUS HEAD TO HEAD
These two sides seem drawn to each other and they have met 10 times over the last two seasons - so there is some good form to look at.
Chelsea v Liverpool 1:2 22.04.2006 FA Cup
Chelsea v Liverpool 2:0 05.02.2006 English Premier League
Chelsea v Liverpool 0:0 06.12.2005 Champions League
Liverpool v Chelsea 1:4 02.10.2005 English Premier League
Liverpool v Chelsea 0:0 28.09.2005 Champions League
Liverpool v Chelsea 1:0 03.05.2005 Champions League
Chelsea v Liverpool 0:0 27.04.2005 Champions League
Liverpool v Chelsea 2:3 27.02.2005 Carling Cup (AET)
Liverpool v Chelsea 0:1 01.01.2005 English Premier League
Chelsea v Liverpool 1:0 03.10.2004 English Premier League
That gives us 5 Chelsea wins (albeit one in extra time), 3 draws (all 0-0) and 2 Liverpool wins.
While in the last three encounters each side has had a win, and shared a score less draw, so it's stating the obvious that any result could happen.
TEAM NEWS
(From BBC.CO.UK website)
Liverpool will not be tempted to risk striker Robbie Fowler (knee injury) or defender Fabio Aurelio (calf).
For Chelsea, Joe Cole and Petr Cech are injured, Claude Makelele gets extra time to recover from the World Cup. William Gallas is back after failing to link up for the pre-season tour of the USA, but will not feature on Sunday.
ANALYSIS
However, what does stand out is the cautious approach taken by both sides when facing each other and that has been borne out by the low score lines (although not always - if an early goal is scored).
Seven of the 10 games have finished under 2.5 goals, and on all seven occasions only we've seen at least one side fail to score. In these clashes it is a rock solid defence that seems to win the match.
Basically, it's still a pre-season game, it'll be hot and both sides will be tactically cautious not wanting to concede the first goal.
THE VERDICT
Go for anything that pays out on low goals - so UNDER 2.5 GOALS seems obvious although the bookies are protecting that option by offering quite low odds.
Taking a team to keep a clean sheet looks good - I'll let you choose which team - although I'd side with Chelsea.
The Pick :
Chelsea 1-0 Liverpool
BEST BETTING TIP :
Take UNDER 2.5 GOALS: 1.55 @ INTERWETTEN (5/9)Also consider taking :
CHELSEA to keep a clean sheet: 2.75 @ LADBROKES (7/4)
LIVERPOOL to keep a clean sheet: 3.50 @ BETFRED (5/2)
(depending on who you're supporting)
