Chelsea v Liverpool- Preview, Predictions, and Best Bets

Chelsea faces Liverpool in the FA Cup final at Wembley on Saturday. The Reds have already lifted the Carabao Cup this season having beaten the Blues on penalties after a 0-0 draw in February. Chelsea have won the UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup so far this term. The sides have faced each other on three occasions during this campaign with all of them ending at level. This match is also expected to be tight as both sides are sweating over the fitness of key midfielders

Chelsea Form

The Blues have been all over the place in recent weeks. Their last 11 matches have seen four defeats including at home to Brentford, Real Madrid, and Arsenal. They were also beaten 1-0 at Everton in a very timid performance against a relegation-threatened opponent.

Since thrashing Southampton 6-0 away and a fine performance to win 3-2 at Real Madrid in the Bernabeu, there have arguably only been two very good performances. Away at Man Utd, the Blues dominated with 65% possession and 21 shots but could only draw 1-1. The Everton defeat came next before a 2-0 lead was thrown away at home in a 2-2 draw with the Wolves. In midweek, Chelsea won 3-0 at 10-man Leeds in a much-improved performance.

Chelsea Team News

Thomas Tuchel is without Ben Chilwell and Callum Hudson-Odoi due to injury and has a very serious doubt over Mateo Kovacic. The Croatian suffered a terrible tackle on him against Leeds and has a heavily swollen ankle. N’Golo Kante is also a doubt but could be risked alongside Jorginho in this big game. Otherwise, Ruben Loftus-Cheek will start.

Chelsea have a tough selection in the attack. Mason Mount will play for certain but Tuchel has to choose two of Romelu Lukaku, Kai Havertz, Timo Werner, and Christian Pulisic to play alongside Mount. Lukaku and Werner are perhaps the most likely duo to get the nod.

Chelsea Motivation

The Blues will be highly motivated after a few weeks of looking complacent. They may not be able to turn on top form like a switch, though. A reasonably defensive outlook is expected with a focus on fast counters.

This is a chance to turn a mixed season into a good one. A loss would mean it’s a season of regrets with two final defeats.

Liverpool Form

Liverpool keeps churning out wins and are still in good shape for at least three trophies this season having already won the Carabao Cup. Their last 28 matches across four competitions have seen 24 wins and just four times they slipped up. The side’s last 16 Premier League matches have seen 14 wins. After drawing 2-2 at Man City, they have beaten Guardiola’s side in the FA Cup semi-final.

The Reds beat Villarreal home and away to reach the Champions League final, 2-0 at Anfield and 3-2 in Spain having trailed 2-0 in the second leg. A 1-1 draw at Anfield followed that victory. The result could be key in the side not winning the league title if Man City win their two remaining matches. Liverpool got back to winning ways in midweek with a 2-1 victory at Aston Villa.

Liverpool Team News

Liverpool doubt Fabinho after a hamstring problem. He could be risked to start considering the five subs rule in this competition. Jurgen Klopp may not want to take the chance that his injury gets worse and he misses the UEFA Champions League final, though. Jordan Henderson could therefore anchor the midfield with Naby Keita and Thiago Alcantara alongside him.

Luis Diaz is set to get the nod in the front three in preference to Diogo Jota and fit-again Roberto Firmino. Ibrahima Konate may be selected in preference to Joel Matip, due to his extra pace against Romelu Lukaku.

Liverpool Motivation

Motivation for this match is high. It would complete a domestic double and another cup final success against Chelsea. They face Southampton away in midweek but all focus will be on this match.

The Reds will attack and expect to dominate the ball. They would ideally like to win this in regulation time to avoid the fatigue that extra time would bring ahead of the final two league matches and the UEFA Champions League final.

Key Stats

Liverpool have won 24 of their last 28 matches (all comps)

Liverpool have won 11 of their last 12 away matches (1D)

Liverpool have scored 2+ goals in 7 of their last 9 away matches

Chelsea have lost 4 of their last 11 matches (all comps)

Chelsea have drawn with Liverpool in 3 matches this season (1-1, 2-2, 0-0)

Chelsea have conceded 17 goals in their last 11 matches

Verdict

This is likely to be a tight match, like the Carabao Cup final. Liverpool have looked a little jaded in recent matches and Chelsea are not in their best form by any means. A draw in 90 minutes looks quite possible or a narrow Liverpool victory to complete the double.

Best Bet: Draw (90 mins) at 3.30
Alternative Bet: Liverpool win (90 mins) at 2.05
Multiple Leg: Liverpool/Draw double chance + under 3.5 goals (90 mins) at 1.90

James O'Connor

James is a football analyst who writes about the tactics of the PSL and English Premier League. He holds the UEFA A coaching licence and has previously worked for several clubs in analysis roles.Twitter: https://twitter.com/footy_analysis