Chelsea FC and Liverpool FC begin their final leg of the UEFA Champions League Semi-finals on April 30th at Stamford Bridge. Both teams were held to a 1-1 draw last week, at Anfield, during Leg 1 action. Liverpool was set to win 1-0 until an own goal late in the 5th minute of injury time tied the match up. Now Liverpool needs a must win, or draw greater than 2-2, to advance. Oddsmakers at Betway.com have Chelsea as 2.25 favorites over Liverpool who is listed as 3.30 roaddogs. Get your Chelsea vs Liverpool pick in now at Betway.com
Chelsea are out to give Liverpool a taste of their own medicine, as Liverpool has eliminated Chelsea twice in the last four years. Chelsea holds home advantage and an away goal to their name. If it wasn’t for John Arne Riise's own goal the tables would be turned. Chelsea was given an extra boost over the weekend with a 2-1 win over Man United at home to tie the top of the EPL. Both teams have 81pts with two games remaining. Good news for Chelsea is that Liverpool hasn’t scored a goal at Stamford Bridge in eight games. Chelsea are unbeaten in eleven UEFA Champions League home ties, a run comprising eight victories and three draws, and dating back 26 months to a 2-1 defeat by FC Barcelona in the 2005/06 first knockout round. Top scorers at home for Chelsea are Michael Ballack and Frank Lampard with two goals apiece while Didier Drogba has one.
Liverpool has the high powered offense to getter done. Between Gerrard, Kuyt, Torres and Babel they should be able to produce some goals, as they’ve combined for 20 goals in UEFA CL play this year. Liverpool and Chelsea have met three times in domestic competition this term. The first encounter brought a 1-1 draw at Anfield on 19 August, English League Cup quarter-final tie at Stamford Bridge on 19 December and a goalless draw at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League on 10 February. Overall the clubs have now met 151 times. There have been 67 wins for Liverpool, 52 for Chelsea, and 32 draws. Liverpool is 2-2-1 during their last five road matches. Top scorers on the road for Liverpool are Dirk Kuyt with three goals, Steven Gerrard (2) and Fernando Torres (2). Good news for Liverpool if it ends in a draw. They’ve never lost a penalty shoot-out in European competition. Their record reads:
- 4-2 v AS Roma, 1983/84 European Champion Clubs' Cup final
- 3-2 v AC Milan, 2004/05 UEFA Champions League final
- 4-1 v Chelsea FC, 2006/07 UEFA Champions League semi-final
Head to Head since 2004-05
- Chelsea leads 15-12 SU
- Chelsea leads at home 12-1 SU
- Liverpool leads at home 11-3 SU
- 10 games have ended in a draw
Chelsea FC vs Liverpool FC
When: April 30, 2008 2:45 PM ET
Line: Betway.com
Pick: Liverpool 3.30
The Bottom Line: History is definitely in favor of Chelsea, but their UEFA play hasn’t been spectacular compared to Liverpool. Liverpool has found the back of the net, in UEFA play, 27 times while Chelsea has 14. Chelsea scored eight of those at home while Liverpool has eight on the road. Get your Chelsea vs Liverpool pick in now at Betway.com
