Chelsea’s unbeaten record is still intact after a hard-fought 2-1 win over bottom side QPR. They will face a tougher test this coming Saturday when they meet bitter rivals Liverpool at Anfield. The Reds are struggling for form, having scored just one point in their last two Premier League outings. Who will emerge victorious in this crucial Premier League clash?
Read on for a complete preview of this matchup and while you’re at it you can check out Brad’s weekly Premiership Picks and Predictions column.
[sc:Soccer ]Chelsea vs. Liverpool Betting Preview
Where: Anfield, Liverpool
When: Saturday, November 8, 7:45 AM ET
Line: Chelsea -111 at Liverpool +250, tie +235; total 2.5– view all EPL lines
What’s at Stake
[sc:Soccer240banner ]Chelsea can extend their lead at the top to seven points with a win on Saturday. Liverpool, on the other hand, can climb into fourth place with a home victory this weekend.
Betting on Chelsea
We’re only 10 games into the new Premier League season but slowly but surely there is already a feeling of inevitability that Jose Mourinho’s men will run away with the title. With their 2-1 win over Queens Park Rangers last Saturday, the Blues have now collected 26 points out of a possible 30 this campaign. Only late goals from Manchester United and Manchester City have denied them a clean record this season.
Chelsea can extend their advantage in the table of Liverpool to 15 points when they square off this coming Saturday. The Blues will fancy their chances of doing just that with the way their strikers are performing right now.
Diego Costa may have missed out on the scoring parade Saturday against QPR but he started the move that helped Oscar grab the opening goal in the 32nd minute. The Spanish international has now scored nine goals for the club and his seamless transition to the side has helped Chelsea tremendously in their assault for the league title.
Another player who has settled in quickly with the Blues is former Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas. Seemingly out of place at Barcelona last season, he has now found a home at Stamford Bridge, leading the league in assists this season with nine. Both players are expected to start against a Liverpool side that is allowing an average of 0.8 goals per game at Anfield so far this season.
The Blues are 3-0-2 on the road this season. Create a betting account now and cash in on the English Premier League games.
Betting on Liverpool
Liverpool’s season of horrors continued last Saturday as they slumped to yet another defeat, this time to a red-hot Newcastle side. Substitute Ayoze Perez was the hero once again for the Magpies as he netted a second-half winner from close range to give Newcastle their third-consecutive victory.
So it’s back to the drawing board for the Reds as they face their toughest test yet this coming Saturday in the league’s early kick-off. If they are to stand a chance against Jose Mourinho’s men, the Reds will need to address their failings on the offensive end.
The Reds have failed to find the back of the net in their last two Premier League outings, drawing blanks against Hull and Newcastle. Prized signing Mario Balotelli was a non-factor once again for Liverpool as he extended his Premier League goalless streak to eight matches with another poor performance against Newcastle. The Italian star has just scored twice for the Reds in 13 appearances this season.
As if that wasn’t enough, the Reds are also encountering some problems on the defensive end. They have only one clean sheet in their last 12 matches and that is definitely a worrying sign heading into their clash with an in-form Chelsea side. The Blues are just banging in the goals right now, leading the league this season with 26 to their name. They have already scored 13 goals in their travels so far this season.
The Reds are 2-1-2 at home this season.
Writer’s Prediction
Chelsea (-111) wins 2-0.
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