I think Liverpool win against Chelsea

Both Arsenal and Aston Villa only got one point each home against West ham and Wigan. That means that in todays game its probably going to be decided wich team, Liverpool or Chelsea, will hang on Manchester United in the top of the premier league table.
 
Manchester United did just what they had to and won with 1 to 0 against Everton home at Old Trafford. It wasn´t so impressive win, but its at the same time a strenght to win against a stronge side as Everton without impressing.

Beside that great game we can even look forward to an intensive north england derby between the rivals, Newcastle united vs Sunderland at St Jame´s park.

Here are my thoughts and picks from todays game:

Liverpool – Chelsea – Liverpool to win @ 2.30

These two team have played sooo many games latley because of all the games in different cup-games besides all the Premier League matches. Totaly Liverpool and Chelsea have played 21 ( !! ) matches between each other since the season 2004/2005 unitll now so the players know each others for sure.

If we only look at the Premier League matches since 2004 / 2005 we have totaly nine games with 2 wins for Pool, 2 draws and 5 wins for Chelsea. At the same time Liverpool won the last game away at Stamford Brigde and are still competing with Chelsea and United in the top of the league, something they haven´t been doing the last years.

Before this game Manchester United is in the top of the league with 53 points, 5 more then both this team. Since 23 games have been played and Manchester United is showing a great strenght I think this game between Liverpool and Chelsea is totaly decisive for the comming. If Liverpool or Chelsea wins today they have a chance on United but if they draw I think it will be tough to come back.

When these two teams met in autumn at Stamford Brigde most people and experts thought that Chelsea would win pretty easy but Liverpool showed that they wanted to play with the big cats this season and won. In fact Liverpool have shown great capacity against the big 4 by winning against both Chelsea (away) and Manchester United (home)m and shared the point against Arsenal away. So seven out of totaly 9 points so far against the top competitors was long time ago.

Unforunatley both this teams have dropped lots of unnecessary points against teams from the middle and bottom of the table and thats why United are in top.

What about the squads today?

Chelsea will probably have to play against their important defender Ricardo Carvalho because of an injury. Essien and Joe Cole will miss the game aswell. In Liverpool Torres is going fully now and will be able to play. My guess is that Liverpool will play with Torres alono on top, and Riera, Gerrard and Kuyt behind him.

On the central midfield i think Aloso and Mascherano will clean up behind to attacking players and these two defensive midfielders are really good in big games. Reina will ofcourse watch the goal and in front of him I think Aureloi, Carragher, Skretl and Arbeloa will play defenders.

Chelsea will probably face the following 11 players: Petr Cech, José Bosingwa – John Terry – Alex – Ashley Cole, Frank Lampard – John Obi Mikel – Michael Ballack, Salomon Kalou – Didier Drogba – Nicolas Anelka

My theory is that Liverpools stronger midfeild will win this game for the home team and thats why I pick Liverpool as my winner here. Its even silly to say that the homecrowd will be a great support in this kind of matches. It feels like its now or never for Pool and with “You´ll never walk alone” from the kup every player will lift 10% more.

The odds is picked from Bwin odds

/Good Luck, Amrish