Champions League
2008-04-22 - Liverpool vs Chelsea
A Sports Betting Pick by Duncan
The first leg of the semi final of the Champions League and once again for the third time in four years we see Liverpool and Chelsea face off.This time though Liverpool have the home leg in the first match - which is just a little different than what we have seen previously.
Avram Grant has promised a more expansive Chelsea side, we haven't really seen it yet - so there may be some changes in the summer to get the side to where he wants - assuming he's still in charge.... But give him some creidt - he's guided the side to the semi final of the Champions League and they still have an outside chance of the Premiership title.
On the injury front it looks as though Didier Drogba will return to the side and Frank Lampard will also return to the side.
Rafa Benitez will again lead his side into a semi final of the Champions League. This time the home leg is the first match of the tie and he will know Liverpool will need to win and or keep Chelsea scoreless.
On the injury front Steven Gerrard will return to the side following a neck injury. While Xabi Alonso, Alvaro Arbeloa, Dirk Kuyt and Ryan Babel will also return to the side/squad for the game. Also rested at the weekend was Fernando Torres.
While Jamie Carragher played the second half of the game against Fulham at the weekend. Sami Hyypia and Javier Mascherano are also expected to recover from knocks they received gainst Fulham.
Chelsea will know the importance of an away goal, against Fernabace they lost in the away tie, but scored the important away goal to give them a slight edge, back at Stamford Bridge they did the business in the end.
Liverpool meanwhile drew against Arsenla in the away leg, and were able to overcome the London side at anfield after some nervy moments.
So to form, well I don't think there is really much in it, and if I have a look at each squad - Chelsea may just favour it in depth, though Liverpool have improved their depth over the past couple of seasons. Both squads have key players that will need to fire if they are to get the results they are looking for.
What could make the difference here is the Anfield crowd - they are known for their support and European nights are second to none at Anfield - that may just give the home side a slight edge.
But for me it's too tough to call and I'll go with a draw here in the first leg.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Draw 0-0 or 1-1
