Big Game Focus: Chelsea v Liverpool

 

The Reds look to bounce back from their first league defeat in over a year as they take on Chelsea in the fifth round of the FA Cup at Stamford Bridge. Here’s the Big Game Focus. Bet on the game here. 

Chelsea narrowly avoided defeat last weekend against Bournemouth in the Premier League. The Blues were coming off a 3-0 beating at the hands of Bayern Munich and have proven many times this season that they cannot produce consistent results. They host the Reds in the FA Cup fifth round looking to inflict a second defeat in a row on the runaway league leaders. The FA Cup is Chelsea’s genuine opportunity for silverware this season and Frank Lampard will want to see his side emerge winners tonight.

Jurgen Klopp’s side won at Stamford Bridge earlier in the season. The Reds have not looked as convincing in recent weeks, so it will be interesting to see how they react tonight. It is a rare occasion for Klopp’s Liverpool, having to bounce back from a defeat. Will they?

Betting preview

Chelsea have won just once against the traditional top six at home this season. They’ve lost to Manchester United and Liverpool at Stamford Bridge. Liverpool have beaten all the top six teams this season. The Reds have won two of their last three matches against the Blues. The hosts have won just three home games in their last eight. Therefore, you can back a Liverpool Win at odds of 2.55. 

Four of the last six meetings between these two have seen both sides find the net. Chelsea have scored in four of their last six home games. The Reds have kept four clean sheets in their last ten games away from home. Considering Klopp will be naming a much weaker side and Chelsea looking shaky defensively, this should be an entertaining game. That being so, you can back Both Teams to Score at odds of 1.60. 

Four of Chelsea’s last five games in all competitions have seen three or more goals scored, while Liverpool’s last two games have seen Over 2.5 Goals. Three of the last five encounters between these two teams have seen at least three goals scored. You can back Over 2.5 Goals at odds of 1.70. 

Team news

N’Golo Kanté is likely to miss out again. Frank Lampard will be without Callum Hudson-Odoi, Tammy Abraham and Christian Pulisic. Andreas Christensen is a doubt.

Meanwhile, Klopp is expected to rotate his squad in order to give a number of first-team players a rest. The Reds have played extremely young players in the earlier rounds of the FA Cup, but with Wembley now in sight, a few more senior players may be back in contention. Goalkeeper Adrián, Takumi Minamino and Divock Origi are pushing for starts. Captain Jordan Henderson and James Milner are out.

Possible line-ups

Chelsea: Caballero, James, Tomori, Rudiger, Alonso, Jorginho, Kovacic, Mount, Willian, Giroud, Barkley

Liverpool: Adrian, Neco Williams, Van den Berg, Lovren, Lewis, Keita, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Chirivella, Jones, Minamino, Origi.