Two Premier League giants face off as title chasing Liverpool host top 4 chasing Chelsea at Anfield!
Currently in the table both sides are where they want to be, however any droppage of points could change that. Liverpool are topping the league but only by 2 points and with an extra game played on Man City therefore they simply cannot afford to drop any points or their title hopes would go all up in smokes just like that. Same can be applied to Chelsea who are currently where they want to be in 4th but they have an extra game played on Arsenal and are just 3 points above them so for Chelsea they also cannot afford to drop many points and every game is a must win.
Both sides have been showing great form entering this weekend. Liverpool unbeaten in 15 straight and currently on a 6 game win streak across all competitions. Liverpool have shown a lot of character in their last 3 league games especially scoring game winning goals in the 80 min or later in all 3 games to stay top. Liverpool’s attack has been especially on fire scoring 16 goals in these last 6 games.
Chelsea are on some great form too. 8 wins from last 10 in all competitions with just one defeat and ever since International Break the Blues have gone on a 4 game win streak playing some impressive football which has elevated them back into the top 4 and it definitely makes them a dangerous side for the league leaders to face against.
Liverpool have been absolutely sensational at Anfield all season long playing great football here including right now. Just one defeat all season across all competitions at home which ironically came to Chelsea but it was in the Cup. Furthermore, Liverpool are the only unbeaten home team in the league this season (14W 2D 0L) and dating back to previous seasons they’ve not lost a league game at Anfield in 37 straight which is a record that definitely is amazing and gives Liverpool a big advantage playing at home this weekend.
As for Chelsea, they overall haven’t been a bad away side with 9 wins from 16 in the league, but most of their success on their travels came early in the season as their away form has taken a massive dip in 2019 although it has improved recently with 5 wins in last 6 away games although 3 came in Europa League against lower competition. In the league Chelsea have only won 2 of 6 away from home and lost 4 in 2019 while conceding a ridiculous amount of 16 goals. Their only away wins came against 18th and 19th placed side in Cardiff and Fulham since the calendar year turn so their league away form is a worry coming into one of the toughest places that is Anfield. Furthermore Chelsea have lost at every big ground away from home in the league so far losing to Tottenham, Man City and Arsenal conceding 11 goals.
There are going to be multiple players to watch from Liverpool. The whole front trio of Salah, Mane and Firmino have to be mentioned here. Salah being the clubs top scorer in the BPL with 18 league goals finally snapped his goal drought last week grabbing a crucial winner at Southampton which should bring his confidence back, Mane has 11 goals in last 14 apps for Liverpool and Firmino has scored in each of his last 3 games at Anfield (4 Goals) so it’s safe to say that any of these 3 are all massive threat and have the ability of getting the big goals that Liverpool need. If they all click in this game then Liverpool will more than likely win.
As for Chelsea, there’s really just ONE man that stands out the most and that of course if Eden Hazard. He has been nothing short of sensational this season carrying Chelsea with 16G 12A which is 28 goal contributions which is most in the league and he’s been in RED HOT form lately scoring 3 and assisting 1 in his last 2 league apps including dropping one of the best performances of the season by any player against West Ham in the last league game. Eden normally plays well against Liverpool and has a decent record at Anfield too with 4 Goals in 7 apps here including scoring there this year in the cup so without a doubt Hazard is one player than will strike a lot of fear into Liverpool in this game and could very well ruin their title hopes if he performs like he’s done recently.
These clubs met twice this season both times in September and both match ups were very evenly matched. Chelsea of course won at Anfield in the EFL Cup 1-2 and then 3 days later the league meeting at Stamford Bridge ended as a 1-1 draw as Daniel Sturridge scored a wonder goal late to snatch a point for Liverpool.
Further looking at H2H, Chelsea have been able to get the best of Liverpool recently more often than not going unbeaten in 5 straight to them winning 2 (3 Draws) and most importantly Chelsea have not lost at Anfield since 2012 which has been 8 straight meetings although 5 of those ended with draws, Chelsea did win the other 3 which is quite an astonishing record by the Blues considering how tough Anfield is to come and get points at. We’ve seen quite a lot of draws of course it has been the most common result between these sides lately but if there has been a winner, Chelsea have more often than not beaten Liverpool so it does sort of make Chelsea a bogey club for the league leaders over the past few years.
Liverpool are bookies favourites to win at 1.75 whereas Chelsea are a underdog priced to win at 5.25 with draw offered at 3.80. Despite Chelsea having the H2H edge lately, it’s safe to say that Liverpool are rightly the favourites, they’re the league leaders and on paper and the pitch the better team. Now Chelsea cannot be underestimated by any means especially with the way Hazard is playing, but Liverpool playing at Anfield being the league leaders are the worthy favourites without a doubt and should be able to win this game to snap the winless run against the Blues. Odds are based on Unibet.
Team News
Liverpool: Expect Oxlade Chamberlain to be out again, however Adam Lallana and Joe Gomez will be included in the match day squad and will be available to at least come off the bench. Furthermore, Andrew Robertson is available after missing the Porto clash due to suspension.
Chelsea: The Blues don’t have any injury concerns however expect the squad to be rotated after the Thursday game against Slavia. We’ve seen the likes of Loftus-Cheek, Emerson and Hudson-Odoi get the starts recently in the league over usual casualties in Alonso, Willian and Kovacic and the first trio have performed well to the point where we anticipate them to keep their league starts.
Betting Stats
Liverpool have covered 50% of their total goal overs at home in the BPL this season (8-1-7).
Liverpool have covered 50% of their total 1st half goal overs at home in the BPL this season (8-8) which is 3rd best in the league.
Liverpool average exactly 1 booking per game at home in the BPL this season (16 bookings in 16 games).
Sadio Mane is Liverpool’s top scorer at Anfield in the league with 13 home goals. Salah has 10 and Firmino has 7 at home in the league. The trio have combined 30 goals at Anfield in the BPL this season.
Liverpool have covered 50% of their Handicaps at home in the BPL this season (8-2-6).
Liverpool have covered 43.8% of their 1st half Handicaps at home in the BPL this season (7-3-6).
Chelsea have covered 75% of their total goal overs away from home in the BPL this season which is the best in the league (12-4).
Chelsea have covered 43.8% of their total 1st half goal overs away from home in the BPL this season (7-2-7). More of a 2nd half team goals wise on their travels.
Chelsea average 1.56 bookings per game away from home in the BPL this season (25 bookings in 16 games).
Eden Hazard is Chelsea’s top scorer away from home in the league with 5 away league goals for the club this season.
Chelsea have only covered 31.2% of their Handicaps away from home in the BPL this season which is 3rd worst percentage in the league (5-3-8).
Chelsea have covered just 37.5% of their 1st half Handicaps away from home in the BPL this season which is tied 4th worst in the league (6-10).
KICK OFF – 14th April 2019 – 4:30pm UK Time
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