Neither Liverpool nor Chelsea are in the best form heading into Saturday's Anfield clash, with both still desperate for points in their chase for their European targets
Two Premier League giants who are going through a difficult spell will meet at Anfield on Saturday when Liverpool and Chelsea collide in the first fixture of the weekend.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot is under pressure to get results, with the Premier League champions surrendering their crown in meek fashion. The Reds are unable to lift any silverware this season and have lost 18 games in all competitions.
Qualifying for next season’s Champions League is the target for Liverpool, while their Saturday visitors are just trying to secure European football of any sort. Chelsea have an FA Cup final to look forward to, but their league campaign has been terrible, resulting in the sacking of Liam Rosenior last month.
Liverpool are 5/6 favourites against Chelsea, with the Blues on offer at 11/4 and the draw a 3/1 chance. The match kicks off at 12.30pm.
We have suggested a football betting Bet Builder to consider which will return at 28/1 if successful.
Liverpool v Chelsea Bet Builder
Anfield stalemate could be on the cards
Champions League qualification is probably essential for Arne Slot to keep his Liverpool job – and a draw at home to Chelsea would aid that cause. The Reds have a useful six-point cushion between themselves and sixth-placed Bournemouth.
Liverpool do not need to go all guns blazing on Saturday – and they will probably be lacking a lot of their attacking options. Hugo Ekitike and Mo Salah are definitely out injured, while Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz are struggling to make the game.
Liverpool, lacking confidence and some of their most potent weapons, may end up settling for a draw, even against a badly struggling Chelsea side. The Blues are in terrible form, but possess enough quality to match their hosts for 90 minutes.
Leg 1: Draw @ 3/1
Gakpo set to lead the home attack
With Arne Slot lacking many options at the moment, Cody Gakpo may end up as the spearhead of the Liverpool attack against Chelsea. The 27-year-old Dutch beast looks a big price to get on the scoresheet.
Gakpo has played the seventh-most minutes of any Liverpool player this season, showing how much Slot rates him. Bayern Munich have reportedly been sniffing around with view to a purchase, but Slot has resisted any advances.
Gakpo scored at Old Trafford last weekend and can get on the scoresheet at Anfield on Saturday.
Leg 2 – Anytime Goalscorer – Cody Gakpo @ 6/4
Chelsea over-reliant on Ecuadorian ace
Some Chelsea players appear to have mentally downed tools in league games, seemingly saving themselves for the FA Cup final, and a 3-1 home defeat to Nottingham Forest showed how far the Blues’ levels have dropped lately.
With so many of his peers lacking zest, much of the midfield running will probably have to come from Moises Caicedo. The ever energetic Ecuadorian has played 30 matches this season, picking up 10 yellow cards and one red.
Chelsea will probably again be over-reliant on Caicedo for defensive cover and the chances of him picking up a booking at Anfield appear higher than the odds suggest.
Leg 3 – To be carded – Moises Caicedo @ 9/4
