We give our tips for Saturday's clash at Stamford Bridge, which looks likely to be a close affair packed with goals and cards.
A 1-0 loss at Galatasaray in the Champions League means Liverpool are in the unusual position of having to bounce back from two straight defeats ahead of a tricky trip to Chelsea in the Premier League on Saturday evening.
The Reds’ last trip to the capital ended in a 2-1 loss at Crystal Palace last Saturday and Stamford Bridge has rarely been a happy hunting ground for the reigning champions.
Chelsea edged past Benfica and former boss Jose Mourinho in their Champions League outing on Tuesday, but prior to that the Blues were well beaten 3-1 by Brighton last time out on home turf.
Trevoh Chalobah was sent off in that match and will be suspended for this fixture and that’s where the Blues’ main concerns lie, as they have a host of key defenders missing through injury this week.
That could lead to a lively contest, as Liverpool also look vulnerable at the back, so the goals could flow in a tasty tea-time tussle at the Bridge.
We’ve scoured the football betting markets and pulled together a four-leg 12/1 Bet Builder, with each selection backed up by a compelling set of stats.
Chelsea v Liverpool Bet Builder Tips
Draw @ 13/5
Both teams to score @ 19/40
Correct score – 2-2 @ 9/1
Over 4.5 totals cards @ 5/6
Pays out at 12/1
Old foes hard to separate once more
Liverpool and Chelsea each won one match in last season’s meetings, but prior to that this fixture was often a hard watch with eight of the last nine match-ups finishing all square.
And a return to the usual looks likely this week with both sides struggling to find their best form and displaying plenty of vulnerability in defence.
Chelsea’s defensive issues revolve around injuries and suspension, while the Reds have looked disjointed at the back since the start of the campaign as they try to bed in several new recruits.
Liverpool have managed just two clean sheets in ten outings this term and they have looked particularly vulnerable at set-pieces.
It is hard to have faith in either side to come out on top in this match as Chelsea have won just two of their last six, so backing a draw looks a good starting point for a four-way bet builder.
Leg 1: Draw @ 13/5
Goals to flow at the Bridge
Although this contest has been notoriously tight in the past, recent meetings have been exciting and the goals have flowed as a consequence.
Four of the past five match-ups have seen both teams score and that looks like a solid option for a second leg of this bet.
Both matches finished 3-1 and 2-1 last term and, although a draw is predicted here, goals at both ends can be expected with neither side looking convincing at the back.
Leg 2: Both teams to score @ 19/40
High-scoring draw on the cards
You have to go back to January 2022 for the last time these sides drew 2-2, but that looks a solid runner on this occasion.
A 0-0 scoreline has been the outcome in five of the last nine meetings, but both sides will view this match as a winnable opportunity and that could lead to a rare open affair.
Chelsea have conceded two or more in four of their last six outings, while Liverpool have shipped at least twice in five of their ten fixtures in all competitions this term.
A 2-2 scoreline looks well within reach on Saturday.
Leg 3: Correct score – 2-2 @ 9/1
Expect officials to be kept busy
Chelsea and Liverpool have had some right ding-dongs over the years, stretching back to the series of high-stakes European clashes featuring Mourinho and Rafa Benitez in either dugout, and the feisty nature of this fixture has continued since.
Each of the last seven meetings has featured at least four or more cards being shown, while that sequence makes-up at 5.5 cards per game.
A hostile welcome will await the champions on and off the pitch so including a leg that features over 4.5 cards in this match, adds even more value to this juicy bet builder.
Leg 4: Over 4.5 totals cards @ 5/6
