Just a wee preview from me blog...
Much has been made of the fact that this time around the first leg is at Anfield and many feel that it’s advantage Chelsea already just because they’ll be at home in the second leg.
Tonight, Liverpool will feel they need to get a good result to take to Stamford Bridge, otherwise they’ll need to overturn a recent run of horrendous form against the Blues that hasn’t seen them score in the last 4 games there. Indeed there haven’t been many goals in games between these two at all recently, just 9 in the last 7 matches - so don’t expect this one to be a thriller.
It’s a tough one to call. Rafa Benitez appears to have his European tactics down to a tee, whereas Avram Grant still has a bit to prove to the Chelsea faithful about his astuteness in the big games. He got it wrong big time against Spurs in the Carling Cup final but he now has the chance to go one better than the revered Jose Mourinho by taking the Blues to their first Champions League final in Moscow in May. But to do so he’ll need to get past a team that have been there and done it in recent years.
Liverpool are aiming for their third final appearance in five years, the previous two saw them dispose of Chelsea at this stage too. And Benitez has arguably had an easier preparation to the game than his counterpart. He was able to rest several first team regulars in a 2-0 win over Fulham at the weekend, whilst Chelsea have doubts over Didier Drogba as well as having to replace two midfield mainstays in Michael Ballack and Michael Essien who are both suspended. Chelsea are still chasing Manchester United for the title with no room for error, but Liverpool look like they can now concentrate on winning the Champions League given that 4th place look fairly secure.
Everything for me points to a Liverpool win tonight (and I think they’ll qualify for the final). I think they’re in better form than Chelsea and there’s just something about them in this competition. Chelsea will have revenge on their minds but there must also be a psychological barrier for them to overcome given that the Reds have dumped them out the competition twice. I’ve no doubt that Rafa has the measure of Grant and will take the first leg lead tonight. The Reds are best priced at 27/20 with
Centrebet and I still think this is worth a punt.
I don’t expect there to be too many goals and neither do the bookies. Under 2.5 goals is a ridiculously priced 1/2 (888 Sport,
BetDirect,
Betfred,
BlueSq,
Skybet,
Stan James,
VCBet) and it’s hardly worth getting involved in.
A tempting bet for me is for Liverpool to win it by a couple of goals. I think they’ll keep it tight at the back but can see them breeching the Chelsea defence. A 2-0 win is best priced at 10/1 with
Centrebet and
Skybet and I’ll have a small interest in that one.