Matchday:
Saturday 20th January 2007
Current Betting Odds:
Liverpool 2.60 Draw 3.00 Chelsea 2.60
The English Premiership certainly has its fair share of epic ties throughout the season. In recent years though, the clash of Liverpool and champions Chelsea has emerged as one of the classics. As a betting proposition Interbet have them on a level pegging, so it's take your
pick from on odds perspective.
Fuelled by that Champion's League semi final back in May 2005, these meetings are filled with skill, passion and the odd theatrical outburst! But with neither team currently on top form and both desperate for the win, this tie proves to offer some extra spice.
With the home side still reeling from that double cup defeat to rivals Arsenal, Liverpool are now firmly concentrating on their league position. Currently lying in third place, eight points adrift of Chelsea, they seem united in their determination to covet that second place spot.
Chelsea find themselves in a similar situation. Now in considered foreign territory chasing the title, they are already six points behind leaders Manchester United and cannot afford another slip up.
Both teams start the game on the back of emphatic victories; Liverpool capitalising on the frailties of Watford's defence, notching up 3 while Chelsea eased to a comfortable 4-0 win over relegation battlers Wigan Athletic.
Yet despite these impressive score lines, both sides have had a less than happy Christmas and New Year period. Liverpool have won only half their last six fixtures and suffered a double blow at the hands of Arsenal who, within a three-day stretch, eliminated them from the FA Cup and Carling Cup.
Chelsea too struggled in the FA Cup against League Two opponents Wycombe Wanderers who forced an unneeded replay after a one all draw. The Blues have only managed two wins in the last six games, having to settle for draws against Premiership opposition Reading, Fulham and Aston Villa.
The pair have met 144 times in all competitions with Liverpool enjoying a 13:10 victory ratio, so on the face of it Liverpool's odds should be slightly shorter. However since the influx of manager Jose Mourinho and owner Roman Abramovich, the results have swung in Chelsea's favour with Liverpool not managing to beat Mourinho's men in the Premier League in over three years.
They do, however, have far more success away from the League and in other Cup competitions, perhaps most notoriously in the 2004/2005 Champion's League semi final. After a goalless first leg at Stamford Bridge, Liverpool emerged triumphant at Anfield with a 1-0 win, albeit with a highly contested goal from Spanish winger Luis Garcia.
Liverpool also beat off Chelsea in last season's FA Cup, setting up a memorable final against West Ham. Lifting the trophy then arranged another encounter, this season's curtain raiser, The Community Shield which again witnessed Liverpool raising the silverware whilst Chelsea looked on.
However, the League does tell a different story. While The Reds struggled in the top flight, failing to match the game play of Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal, The Blues hit cruise control and were successively crowned champions two seasons running.
But with Mourinho remaining non-committal regarding his future at the London based club, times seem less idyllic in the dressing rooms at Stamford Bridge. Could this be Liverpool's time to settle some old League scores?
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