Written by @Chadley_N for @Hollywoodbets. Follow them both on Twitter and Facebook now!
Liverpool vs Chelsea | Sunday 27 April | Anfield | 15:05
Liverpool play host to Chelsea at Anfield, in what is arguably the biggest match of the Premier League so far this season. This mouth-watering encounter could prove the pivotal fixture in this season’s title race. How many times have we uttered those words this electrifying term? A win for the Reds will take them a step closer to clinching the title as they will go eight points clear at the summit, while a victory for the Blues will leave them just two points behind their opponents with two matches remaining.
To Win (90mins)
Liverpool 9/10
Draw 26/10
Chelsea 28/10
Liverpool
Liverpool survived a late scare at Norwich, extending their lead over Chelsea to five points. Two goals from Raheem Sterling and one from Luis Suarez were enough to clinch a 3-2 victory for Brendan Rodgers’ side. The Reds have been in outstanding form, winning eleven games in succession. Their home form has been equally impressive, having played seventeen matches, winning fifteen times and drawing just once. Rodgers has orchestrated his team to play an exciting, free scoring brand of football this season and even in a high pressure, crunch match like two weeks ago against Manchester City, he kept faith with his attacking philosophy that resulted in an important win. Suarez has been the main ingredient behind Liverpool’s incredible season, netting a remarkable thirty goals in the Premier League. The Uruguayan will now bid to overhaul Alan Shearer and Andy Cole’s respective records of 34 goals in the Reds’ last three games. Liverpool have been fortunate recently regarding injuries and Rodgers had enjoyed playing a consistent team during the Premier League run in. However, The Reds will be without the suspended Jordan Henderson, while Daniel Sturridge remains a doubt to face his former club. It is a blow to lose two important players at this stage of the season but, in Lucas and Joe Allen, Liverpool have some quality to come in. Momentum is a big factor in football and no team in the Premier League has it like Liverpool at the moment.
Chelsea
Sunderland condemned Chelsea to their first ever home Premier League defeat under Jose Mourinho with a stunning 2-1 victory on Saturday, taking Liverpool a step closer to the title. A phenomenal record of 78 games undefeated at Stamford Bridge was broken by the unlikeliest of candidates, with much help from the controversial Mike Dean, who awarded the Black Cats a penalty that turned out to be the decisive factor. Samuel Eto’o put Chelsea ahead after only twelve minutes, but Sunderland equalised quickly through Connor Wickham. Gustavo Poyet’s men then claimed victory thanks to an 82nd-minute penalty from on-loan Liverpool striker Fabio Borini. The result means Jose Mourinho’s side remain five points behind Liverpool, leaving the Reds clear favourites to win the Premier League this season. Chelsea’s away form has been inconsistent, winning only eight of their seventeen travels, drawing four times and suffering five defeats. Mourinho will be hoping to have Eden Hazard available for this clash. The Belgian winger suffered a calf injury in the Blues’ quarter-final victory over Paris St-Germain three weeks ago and has not played since. Chelsea have all but thrown away their hopes of claiming the Premier League title but will be looking to redeem themselves with a positive performance at Anfield.
VERDICT: Liverpool 9/10
Liverpool have been a dominant force at home this season. Their impressive run of form has been key to their title aspirations. Chelsea’s only realistic hope of clinching silverware this campaign will come in the Champions League, so we may see them rest a few stars ahead of their second leg clash with Atletico Madrid and that may work in Liverpool’s favour. The Reds are tipped for the win.
