Alan Hansen’s Premier League Preview: Liverpool v Chelsea

League leaders Chelsea face a tough trip to Anfield this weekend in what is arguably a title decider. If Carlo Ancelotti’s team can pick up a win then the title is all but theirs but Liverpool won’t make it easy for them whether fourth place is up for grabs or not.

For the first time since the 2003/04 season these two clubs will only meet each other twice. This makes a change as in the previous five seasons; they’ve clashed a total of 24 times. Chelsea have enjoyed a few good wins at Anfield in recent years including a Champions League win there last season but that remains their last victory in the last six visits in all competitions. A win for Manchester United at Sunderland is no foregone conclusion but with the champions having the bit between their teeth, three points for Chelsea with a home game against Wigan to follow would surely be enough to bring the title back to Stamford Bridge.

The fact that the Blues have had a week to prepare for this match while Liverpool have the small matter of a Europa League semi-final 2nd leg to play on Thursday night gives Chelsea an advantage. However, Liverpool are always strong at home and despite the rivalry between themselves and Manchester United will be right up for this match. After all, they still have an outside chance of 4th spot and will want to prove they are still one of the Premier League’s best teams. The Reds domestic form is good and nine wins and a draw from their last ten home league games suggests Chelsea will have to be at their best to get the win they need.

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Chelsea have been in scintillating form at home of late with seven goal hauls against the likes of Sunderland, Stoke and Aston Villa since the turn of the year but they’ve not found it as easy on the road. Ancelotti’s team have lost five of their eighteen away trips but also dropped points in surprise draws. Four wins in their last eleven away trips (3 defeats) suggests they will make the trip to Anfield with a great deal of trepidation. Especially when you consider they have lost more times at Anfield than any other ground in the Premier League era.

The Londoners chances of success will be boosted by Liverpool’s injury problems particularly in the striking department. John Terry and co will be delighted that Fernando Torres will be missing as the Spaniard has scored five goals in seven appearances against them in all competitions for the Reds. The fact that his likely replacements David Ngog and Dirk Kuyt are also struggling for fitness ahead of the Europa League semi suggests the home side may be lacking in the forward area for this one. Despite this, Benitez will have his players fired up and as Manchester United found out, will be highly competitive all over the park.

While Liverpool are without their star striker, Chelsea will have theirs. Didier Drogba has enjoyed a fantastic season and is closing in on Wayne Rooney as the Premier League’s top scorer. The big Ivory Coast centre-forward has a great record against the Reds in recent years scoring four goals in his last four starts against them in all competitions. There’s also Frank Lampard who has netted five goals in his last ten matches against Liverpool. Chelsea have been in prolific form this season and have scored in their last seventeen league outings, so the Reds defence will have to be at its best to keep them out.

While Liverpool fans won’t be happy if Manchester United win the title, the manager and players will be going all out to win for their own needs. Any ideas that the Reds will be doing Chelsea a favour are ridiculous, the home side will make it as hard as they can for the visitors and with the Anfield faithful’s backing are sure to test the Blues title credentials to the full. Ancelotti’s side have dropped a number of points on the road of late and with that in mind, I am backing the draw on Premier 10. In the last four weeks there have been three single £30,000 jackpot winners including a Liverpool fan, a Manchester United fan and a Nottingham Forest fan. With another estimated £30,000 jackpot to be won this weekend on Premier 10, who will you back?

Tags: Alan Hansen, Chelsea, Football betting, Football Pools, Liverpool, online betting, Online pools, Premier 10, Premier League

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