Chelsea vs Liverpool: Premiership Preview and Prediction

Published by William | Filed under Football (aka soccer), Predictions, Premier League, Previews

Chelsea and Liverpool take the pitch this Sunday in a match that means the world to both.

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5/1 12:30 GMT Chelsea at Liverpool – Odds | Stats


With only two games remaining in the 2009-10 Premiership season, plenty will be on the line this Sunday when Chelsea and Liverpool take the pitch at Anfield. The Blues currently hold a 1 point lead over defending champions Manchester United, while Liverpool is in a 4 team race to qualify for next year’s Champions League with Manchester City, Tottenham, and Aston Villa. A loss this Sunday will likely cement their spot in next year’s Europa League and possibly put Rafa Benitez out of a job. Meanwhile, Carlos Ancelotti looks to capture a league title in only his first season at the Stamford Bridge helm.


Chelsea:


Assuming they can keep up the form they have been experiencing of late (minus their slip up last week to Tottenham), Chelsea appear to be well on their way to capturing their first Premiership title since 2006. Since exiting the Champions League at the hands of Inter Milan in the quarterfinals, Chelsea has gone unbeaten in 6 of their last 7 matches outscoring opponents 27-5, including a 3-0 victory over Aston Villa in the FA Cup Final. A victory over Liverpool on Sunday and a Manchester United loss to Sunderland will secure Chelsea a double. A loss however, will likely be the end of the league race, assuming United can handle their business against thought to be lesser opponents making this weekend’s tie with a schizophrenic Liverpool side that much more intriguing. Carlos Ancelotti’s side has no new pressing injury concerns heading into the match other than the already known long term injuries to Bosingwa, Mikel, Carvalho, and Michael Essien, who is said to now be in danger of missing this Summer’s World Cup with Ghana after having slower recovery than expected from a knee injury. Otherwise, expect a full strength lineup ready to go on Sunday.


Liverpool:


Liverpool, Liverpool, Liverpool. I waited to write this preview until after their 2nd leg Europa League tie with Atletico Madrid and thankfully I did because had I not, I probably would have had a much different opinion heading into this weekend’s showdown. They truly let the Anfield faithful down today (and all of England, for that matter) with their Extra Time meltdown in which Diego Forlan sent Gerrard and co. into the clubhouse with yet again, a disappointing result and preventing us from having an all-England Europa League final in Hamburg. Instead, Liverpool heads into this weekend beat up and surely lacking the confidence they will need to overcome the Blues. I’m not sure the Dutch attacking duo of Kuyt and Babel are enough to threaten the John Terry anchored backline of Chelsea, even at home. I think they miss Fernando Torres more than we’ll ever know. On the positive side, Benayoun and Aquilani both played really well today, each netting a goal for their side.

A Liverpool fan looks dejected at the end of the UEFA Europa League Semi-Final Second Leg match between Liverpool and Atletico Madrid.

Prediction:


If you couldn’t already tell, I’ve pretty much lost all faith in Liverpool. I’ve been down on them all season and after today’s meltdown in which I thought they might actually have a chance to call this season somewhat of a “success”, they absolutely blow what could have been a truly special night in Anfield history. I would almost be upset to see them sneak out a victory and magically creep into the Top 4 because I think hands down, Tottenham, City, and Villa are better teams. Chelsea should cruise to an easy victory on Sunday but of course, we will have to wait and see.


Pick:


Chelsea 2 – 0 Liverpool


Bet of the Match:


Chelsea at 1.95 from Unitbet