Sunday, February 10, 2008

Match Prediction: Chelsea vs. LiverpooL

If you take Liverpool's recent away form and Chelsea's recent home record you get a gulf not dissimiliar to the one in the Manchester derby. Yet Manchester United are 1/3 and Chelsea are even money.

Chelsea have won their last five games at home, and they remain unbeaten at Stamford Bridge longer than I can remember. Liverpool haven't won any of their last four games away from Anfield.

It's not as if they haven't had the opportunities either. Their games have come against Manchester City, Middlesbrough, Luton and West Ham. They were well-fancied at the prices to win all of those games.

Rafael Benitez's team have also lost their last four games at Stamford Bridge - including a 2-0 reverse in the Carling Cup as recently as December.

Chelsea have shown remarkable qualities to shrug off the loss of Jose Mourinho and the decimation of their squad through injury, suspension and the African Nations.

The signing of Nicolas Anelka is a major boost to Avram Grant's team and he got his first Premier League goal for them in the 1-1 draw at Portsmouth.

The 13/8 Paddy Power offer about Anelka scoring anytime makes some appeal but not as much as the even money about Chelsea winning their sixth home game on the trot.

Verdict: Chelsea 2 Liverpool 0

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