A Hazard ahead for Liverpool?
Following their respective midweek European victories, Liverpool and Chelsea return to playing for Premier League points. Neither can afford to slip-up.
Always a classic
Heading into the closing stages of the campaign, Sunday’s clash has the potential to be make-or-break for Liverpool and Chelsea and their aspirations. But this is no surprise. It’s a meet which always has something riding on it.
Champions League quarter finals, semi-finals; FA and League Cup finals; title collapses (quite literally in Stevie G’s case) - there’s been no shortage of drama down the years and I’m expecting the same of this upcoming clash too.
That doesn’t automatically translate to a barrel load of goals though. As we can see from the scores from the fixture in recent times, there’s often little to separate the teams.
- 2018: Liverpool 1-2 Chelsea (League Cup)
- 2017: Liverpool 1-1 Chelsea (PL)
- 2016: Liverpool 1-1 Chelsea (PL)
- 2015: Liverpool 1-1 Chelsea (League Cup)
- 2014: Liverpool 1-2 Chelsea (PL)
Liverpool
On paper, this represents Liverpool’s toughest of their remaining games. It’s the one match Liverpool fans will have grimaced at looking at their run-in. Win this and a first league title on Merseyside in almost three decades could be a distinct possibility.
Easier said than done though. Not since 2012 have Liverpool managed to get the better of Chelsea at Anfield. It’s a stat they need to put right if they are to keep their noses ahead of Man City.
Whether they can do this playing in second gear, as has appeared in recent weeks, remains to be seen but the results have continued to be churned out. At least so far.
Chelsea
For all of Maurizio Sarri’s faults, he has his team winning games and still in contention to qualify for the Champions League.
Quite whether Chelsea would be in with a chance at this stage without their number 10, well, I think we all know the answer to that. But while they’ve still got him, the Blues continue to enjoy their favourite Belgian bamboozling defences.
Hazard has been mesmerising of late, adding to his transfer value too with significant contributions. In the four-match winning streak Chelsea are enjoying, Hazard has scored three and, as a sub, turned games on their head. He won’t be on the bench on Sunday that’s for sure.
Liverpool vs. Chelsea betting tip
Liverpool have to be praised for winning games, even when not at full potential, as Champions do. Having said this, there comes a point when this does catch up with a team; Spurs almost came away with a result and I’m thinking Chelsea could be the side to throw a spanner in the works.
With the way the game has gone in recent years too, my money is on both teams to score which serves up odds of 4/5 (1.80).
Backing the draw at 16/5 (4.20) or a score of 1-1 at 15/2 (8.50) are alternative tips for the real thrill seekers out there!
