Beatable Reds travel to the Bridge in last 16

Chelsea welcome the Premier League champions in waiting, Liverpool, to Stamford Bridge for an FA Cup last 16 tie on Tuesday evening. The tie comes straight after the Reds’ lost their domestic unbeaten run in a shock 3-0 defeat to Watford at Vicarage Road on Saturday evening. Frank Lampard’s men will be grateful of a Marcos Alonso brace including a late equaliser that rescued a point from the south coast earlier on Saturday, as Bournemouth proved a tougher test than their relegation zone league position suggested. Following a major setback in the Champions League last week, the Blues should arguably prioritise the FA Cup as their only realistic route to silverware this season and the lead up to this fixture in the competition, would suggest that Lampard is the boss taking it more seriously.

Run to the last 16

Having heavily criticised the traditional format and having FA Cup replays, Jurgen Klopp refused to turn up to his sides’ 1-0 win against Shrewsbury in the last 32 second meeting, however since defeat to the Hornets he may be implored to treat this matchup with a little more respect.

The fourth placed outfit have beaten two Championship mainstays in Nottingham Forest and Hull City to make their way to this stage, with the Chelsea legend shuffling the pack but not majorly in his approach. The hosts however do have a more significant fixture coming up at the weekend though their meeting with Everton is not until Sunday, therefore Lampard should be able to field two equally strong lineups.

Klopp’s high flyers beat neighbours Everton 1-0 in a third round Merseyside derby with Curtis Jones entering the spotlight with a beautiful long range curler, he has not left it since in this competition, captaining the youthful side against Shrewsbury in the replay and bagging his second of the season in the first match at New Meadow.

Unbeatable no more

The visitors’ humbling 3-0 loss may have come as a relief to some, with the German enigmatic gaffer saying it will free them up for the rest of the season. It could have a positive effect and take some weight off of their shoulders, to push on towards a record points total and a deep run in the Champions League. It was defensive frailties that showed in the debacle, lapses in concentration from the ever-reliable Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil Van Dijk and Andy Robertson were particularly notable. They will be keen to put this right on Tuesday.

Liverpool will look to bounce back and progress in their bid to win their first FA Cup since 2005/06, taking it to Chelsea in a tournament they have more recent success in, having won it five times since the Reds’ last crown.

Liverpool (+1) Handicap + Chelsea to Score Under 2.5 goals with bet365 at odds of 13/20.

Bet Liverpool (+1) Handicap + Chelsea to Score Under 2.5 goals on Bet365