English Premier
2013-04-21 - Liverpool vs Chelsea
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English Premier League
Sunday 21 April 2013 - Kick Off 4pm
This game is live on TV
Liverpool
It took a huge goalkeeping display from Alex McCarthy to help keep Liverpool goalless last weekend and that means back to back goalless draws to prevent them getting involved in the top four conversation. However, Everton's loss at Sunderland on Saturday means Liverpool once again believe they can finish above their local rivals and at least put some positives to Brendan Rodgers' first season as manager of this famous old club.
Liverpool are 7th in the Premier League but they can half the deficit to 6th placed Everton if they pick up the three points from this game. While they have improved at Anfield from their performances here last season, Liverpool are hoping to improve their 8-4-4 record in front of their own fans. In those games, the side have scored 30 goals and only conceded 14.
They have only won 1 of their last 4 games in all competitions, although Liverpool have only suffered 1 defeat in their last 8 games. Liverpool have won 7 of their last 10 home games in all competitions and they had won 3 in a row before the 0-0 draw with West Ham United in their last home game.
There are no new injury worries for the home side ahead of this game.
Chelsea
The FA Cup might be gone, but this could still be a decent season for Chelsea if they can finish in the top four and perhaps add the Europa League to their trophy cabinet. It wasn't a great performance by the side during the week, but they managed to see off Fulham fairly comfortably and are in the driving seat for a top four place even though Arsenal won on Saturday.
The win for Arsenal means Chelsea start this game in 4th place in the Premier League and they will also be well aware of what is happening at White Hart Lane where 5th placed Tottenham Hotspur will be entertaining Manchester City. Chelsea take an 8-3-5 record to Anfield from their away games this season, scoring 29 goals and conceding 20.
Chelsea's win at Fulham meant they have stopped a run of back to back defeats in all competitions and they have actually won 4 of their last 5 games in the Premier League to give them command of a top four berth. However, they had failed to win any of 4 away games in all competitions, losing 3, before the win at Craven Cottage when the result far exceeded the performance.
There will be more changes made to the Chelsea starting eleven as Rafa Benitez looks to keep his squad fresh for the remaining games this season.
Head to Head
Chelsea and Liverpool drew 1-1 at Stamford Bridge earlier this season.
Liverpool beat Chelsea 4-1 here last season and they have won back to back home games against the Blues and 3 of the last 5.
The other 2 games have been won by Chelsea in that stretch of games.
Prediction
I think it is understandable that Liverpool are the favourites, but they look very short in the market considering their recent struggles in front of goal and that would concern me if I back them.
However, I do think Chelsea have some vulnerabilities that could be exposed, although the side do look very dangerous when they are going forward.
There have been plenty of goals in Liverpool at Anfield, outside of that game with West Ham United, but it has to be noted that the likes of Manchester City, Manchester United, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur have all scored twice here at Anfield so backing Over 3.5 Goals in this one looks like it will give us a run.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Liverpool 2-2 Chelsea
BEST BETTING TIP :
I'll back Over 3.5 Goals @ 2.90
