English Premier
2012-11-11 - Chelsea vs Liverpool
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English Premier League
Sunday 11 November 2012 - Kick Off 4pm
This game is live on TV
Chelsea
No matter what sport you play or follow, momentum is a crucial factor and I just think the last minute winner against Shakhtar Donetsk may provide a boost to this Chelsea squad that must be feeling a little tired after all the games they have had to play recently.
Roberto Di Matteo has not rotated the squad as much as I thought he might, particularly in the Capital One Cup, so positive momentum is the thing that will get the Blues through the next couple of months.
Chelsea are 2nd in the Premier League table, just 1 point behind Manchester United, but there has been a feeling that they side are 'off' at the moment and they have looked more vulnerable. However, they remain a tough proposition at Stamford Bridge where they are 4-0-1 in the League, scoring 13 goals and conceding 6.
The side are unbeaten in their last 3 games since a home loss to Manchester United in the League, but the win over Shakhtar is the only one they have recorded in regulation time in that stretch. Manchester United also earned a draw in normal time in the Capital One Cup here, but otherwise Chelsea have won 4 of their last 6 at Stamford Bridge.
John Terry was left out of the starting line up against Donetsk in the week, but he is available for this game. Ashley Cole and Frank Lampard both miss out through injury in what is an otherwise full strength squad.
Liverpool
For the second season in a row, goals and earning wins has been the biggest problem for Liverpool- they are short up front thanks to a lack of signings in the Summer, but Brendan Rodgers is doing the best he can with the personnel at his disposal and rested many of his big names against Anzhi Makhachkala in the Europa League on Thursday to ensure they are fresh for this one.
Liverpool are 12th in the Premier League and the next couple of months will determine what kind of season they have as they exactly the same number of points from the relegation zone as they are from 4th place. I don't really foresee a relegation scrap, but even sitting in mid-table will not be tolerated at Anfield. They have a 1-2-1 away record in the League this season, scoring 8 goals and conceding 8 in those games.
The 1-0 loss at Anzhi means Liverpool have lost 2 of their last 3 games, but most of the bad results have come in Cup competitions. That is highlighted by the fact that Liverpool are unbeaten in 5 Premier League games since an unfortunate 1-2 loss to Manchester United, although they have won just 2 of those games and drawn back to back games. The side had been unbeaten in 6 away games in all competitions before the loss in Russia on Thursday.
Glen Johnson is the only doubt in the squad outside of long-term casualties Lucas, Martin Kelly and Fabio Borini. Luis Suarez, Martin Skrtel, Dan Agger, Steven Gerrard and Raheem Sterling will all be restored to the side having been left in England for the Europa League game.
Head to Head
Chelsea and Liverpool met four times last season with Liverpool winning 3 of those games and Chelsea taking the fourth in the FA Cup Final.
That means Chelsea have now won 1 of their last 6 games against Liverpool, with the latter winning all other 5.
Liverpool have won 3 in a row at Stamford Bridge in all competitions and won 3 of the last 4 Premier League games here.
Chelsea have won just 2 of their last 8 home games against Liverpool.
Prediction
Roberto Di Matteo has admitted that Liverpool have been something of a bogey side for Chelsea in recent games and I also think the Reds will be a little fresher having rested most of their big players over the last week in anticipation of this game.
However, I do believe that Chelsea are offering enough going forward to turn around the recent form against Liverpool, although this will be a tight contest thanks to their own vulnerabilities at the back.
It wouldn't be a big surprise if both sides score as Liverpool have found it easier to get on the scoreboard on their travels, while Chelsea haven't had a clean sheet in their last 4 at home.
On the other hand, Liverpool haven't had an away clean sheet since the middle of August and have conceded at least 2 goals in their last 2 Premier League games.
With that in mind and because I do fancy Chelsea to break their recent record against Liverpool, I think the Ladbrokes special that both teams score in a Chelsea win has to be taken at 3.75 and should stand a chance in what could be an entertaining Sunday treat.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Chelsea 2-1 Liverpool
