Liverpool vs Chelsea this Sunday

Liverpool and Chelsea lock horns for the second time at Anfield on Sunday afternoon following the 0-0 in the second round of Champions League group matches. The goalless draw was in fact recommended on this website at the enticing odds of 6/1. The European champions go into the game unbeaten in the league yet still trailing the Premiership holders by a mammoth 14 points, albeit with two games in hand. Where as a draw may have sufficed in Europe, the Reds must take maximum points if Rafa Benitez harbours any ambition of finishing near the top. Three points against Chelsea followed by victory in both their games in hand would cut the gap at the top to a far more manageable five points. Encouragingly for the Merseysiders they once again proved they are a match for Chelsea, and can feel aggrieved not to have won after referee Massimo de Santis turned down blatant penalty appeals in either half.The confidence gained from holding the London club, coupled with the knowledge on another night at least one penalty may have been awarded, the Reds should have every confidence going into the league encounter. For a team that in the past four meetings has held Chelsea three times (including Carling Cup Final that went to Extra Time) and won once, a best price 11/4 for a Liverpool victory does look worth a small investment. In charge of this high profile fixture is experienced referee Graham Poll, who produced five yellows the last time he officiated a Chelsea game (against Arsenal). The average make-up for Poll this season is a shade over 40 in the Premiership. Given the importance of this match for the home side, the regularity in which these two clubs have met over the past few months, a buy of the bookings at 46 does offer the possibility of a sizeable profit for minimum risk.While the average make-up is slightly below forty for the past six meetings, playing for the second time inside five days may see passions running higher than normal.