Stan James: Liverpool v Chelsea Preview

Stan James Prices
Liverpool………11/5
Draw……………2/1
Chelsea…………5/4

It’s essentially the first big test for Chelsea this season. They are enemy number one for many, unfairly I suppose, but nobody likes a big head and everyone wants to see one taken down to size.

But wanting Chelsea to get beat and them actually losing doesn’t always go together and the Blues are looking mean and destructive and their early form suggests they should be at least capable of a draw. Liverpool will be buoyed by their win over the Blues in the Semi’s last season and despite Mourinho’s ramblings to the contrary, Liverpool know that they can turn the Blues over.

However the money has been piling on Chelsea in the run up to the game and they are going into the match as 5/4 favourites. It’s not out of the question that they might kick off the game around Even money such has been the weight of money. Punters seem convinced, like Mourinho, that revenge is on the cards.

The draw does look a good bet though. Liverpool played in a very tight and controlled way in last year’s latter stages and if they can reproduce that form then Chelsea will have a problem breaking them down. A 0-0 draw could well be a correct score with so much at stake, and it is a 5/1 chance and it’s the same price for 1-1. Under 2 goals is 13/8.

However, you could argue that things will be a little more open at this stage in the event. A loss for either wouldn’t be the end of the world, so we might see the two teams go for it. With the talent on display there could be a hatful of chances and plenty of goals. Between two and three goals is 10/11. Between 4 and 6 is 16/5.

Both sides are more or less at full strength, but Liverpool could have done with the services of Morientes up front. His European experience will be missed. They’ll probably play Crouch up front on his own. He’s 5/2 to bag a goal, with Gerrard at 11/4 and Garcia at 7/2. 

Chelsea will either play Crespo or Drogba up front with the usual danger men of Lampard and Essien marauding through the middle, ably assisted down the flanks by Robben and Duff. It’s a potent attacking force and with Wright-Phillips on the bench if a change is needed, you have to respect them.