Resurgent Chelsea to notch another big win
CHELSEA vs LIVERPOOL
SUNDAY – 4.00PM SKY SPORTS 1
THE sale of Fernando Torres has added some spice to Sunday’s fixture between Chelsea and Liverpool and it will be interesting to see if he gets a place in the starting line-up. The champions looked like their old selves in the 4-2 win against Sunderland on Tuesday night and became only the second team to win at the Stadium of Light this season.
Liverpool have also been active in the transfer market, with Luis Suarez scoring on Wednesday, but Andy Carroll won’t be able to make his debut for a few weeks. Kenny Dalglish’s side have finally found some form with three straight league victories, but the Blues have also turned a corner with their own run of three consecutive wins.
Carlo Ancelotti will be pleased that his side are showing signs of regaining their confidence and they are always at their best on home soil. They’ve won their last four games at Stamford Bridge against the so-called Big Four and six of their eight victories at home this season have been by at least two goals.
Although Liverpool have managed to string a couple of results together, they’ve still lost eight of their 12 away matches this term and five of the losses have been by two or more goals. They’ve also lost their last four visits to Big Four opposition.
Manchester United are now as short as 4/7 with William Hill for the title, but I wouldn’t be writing off Chelsea just yet. Yes, they have 10 points to make up, but they have to play United twice and another victory on Sunday will put them right back in the race.
The home win is a best priced 8/13 with Paddy Power and I’d be very surprised if the champions don’t make it four wins on the bounce. Liverpool have surely given up hope of reaching the Champions League places, so the priority for Dalglish will be European football next year and a period of re-building.
Chelsea have scored 10 goals in their past three league games and I can see them finding the net a couple of times on Sunday, even though the Reds have kept clean sheets in their past three league contests. Games between the Big Four aren’t normally high scoring and a 2-0 home win appeals at 7/1 on Betdaq. That has been the scoreline in the last four league meetings between these sides and Chelsea have won 2-0 in four of their eight home victories this campaign.
Spread bettors are also advised to sell goals at 2.5 with Sporting Index – there have been two or fewer goals in the last 10 league meetings between the clubs.