Chelsea vs Liverpool Betting Preview

Chelsea and Liverpool meet at Stamford Bridge to decide who will finish top of Group G. The meeting between the teams at Anfield on 28 September ended in a goalless draw, although a few days later the Premiership champions came away from Merseyside with a resounding 4-1 victory in the league.The two sides both sealed their passage from the group two weeks ago, Chelsea winning 2-0 against RSC Anderlecht in Brussels with goals from Crespo and Carvalho. Meanwhile Liverpool drew 0-0 at home to Real Betis to stay on top of the section, a point ahead of Chelsea, and maintain their unbeaten record in the competition.Victory over Chelsea, or a repeat draw, would allow Rafael Benitez's men to finish the section on top. The home side have to win the game to win the group.Following the game in Anderlecht, it was interesting to hear how Jose Mourinho believed it mattered not finishing first or second based on the strength of the clubs in qualifying positions.Perhaps on further reflection, the Chelsea manager may privately believe something different. While there is always the chance of playing a well renowned club that finishes second, the overall standard of the likely second placed clubs does appear to be lower. The opportunity to meet a team such as Rangers, Udinese, Ajax or Lille would likely offer a much better opportunity to progress.Winning this game should matter, although the intensity is unlikely to match that of previous encounters this season. It would be rather foolish to lose players to injury and/or suspension by going at it full pelt. That said we should still expect a decent game with the pressure off to a certain extent.Liverpool head into their Champions League date with Chelsea in buoyant mood after a run of victories in the Premiership, and the news that Peter Crouch finally has opened his goalscoring account for the club. Although the big man must wait until a Premier League panel makes a decision before learning whether he scored the first of his two goals against Wigan, the Reds have already said no matter the decision, the goal will be credited with the England International.Looking at the match odds and the bookmakers have installed the Blues as clear odds-on favourites. However, given the recent form shown by Liverpool both on the domestic and European scene, they have to be respected. Add in the fact that a point would suffice to finish top, we can expect Rafa Benitez to send out a side intent on not conceding.The advice is to try a small investment on the scores finishing level after ninety minutes.