Chelsea and Liverpool go head-to-head in the FA Cup Final on the 14th of May. With one cup already under their belt, Liverpool are the favorites heading into this weekend’s clash but Chelsea have revenge on their minds after losing the League Cup Final to Klopp’s men earlier in the season. The FA Cup Final between Liverpool and Chelsea should be a thriller…unlike when the sides met in the Carabao Cup Final.
Jurgen Klopp’s men are still going for a historic quadruple, although their Premier League hopes were dented after they were held to a draw by Spurs at the weekend and they had to recover from going a goal down at Aston Villa to bounce back and win 2-1. They haven’t quite been firing on all cylinders lately, but that’s still usually more than enough to beat almost every other team in the world.
Chelsea have suffered an ultimately disappointing campaign. The Champions League holders were expected to challenge for the title, but they are miles behind Manchester City and Liverpool and are having to fend off challenges from fellow London clubs Spurs and Arsenal just to clinch third place.
Form Guide: Liverpool
Liverpool have lost some ground in their title chase and their quest for a quadruple may have suffered a hitch in the draw with Tottenham Hotspur. However, they recovered with a comeback against Aston Villa, winning 2-1 in their most recent game. A bit of unusual shakiness has been seen in their recent three games, having to come from behind in all those games but having played a day earlier than Chelsea should mean a more relaxed squad.
They were pushed to the limit by Villa and lost Fabinho to injury, which complicates their situation as the season heads into the most important period for the Reds. Jurgen Klopp’s side has however shown a great mentality all through and go into this match unbeaten in 15 matches. They have won four of the last five matches and scored two or more in three of the five games. They have two clean sheets only in the last five matches though. This is the second final this season pitting these two giants. Liverpool beat Chelsea in the League Cup final, on penalties after a 0-0 draw.
Form Guide: Chelsea
Chelsea haven’t had the season they desired, though they’ve also won one already – the Club World Cup and will hope to cap it with a domestic trophy. The Blues capitulated in the defense of their European title and have already been blown out of the league title race. It has been an inconsistent run for Chelsea, who have had to deal with both on-field and boardroom issues.
Chelsea are coming from a 3-0 league win at Leeds United which goes a long way to help their case for a top-four finish. They come into this game with two wins in the last five matches and they have two clean sheets too in the process. Injury worries will be key among Chelsea’s concerns after Matteo Kovacic was forced off in the Leeds game, but with Ruben Loftus-Cheek available they will have some cover, with N’golo Kante also out.
How the game could go
This will be Jurgen Klopp’s first-ever FA Cup final and Liverpool’s first in a decade, since that 2012 defeat to Chelsea. During Klopp’s reign at Liverpool, the FA Cup has never been a priority, until this season.
They’ve collected the Premier League, Champions League, Club World Cup & most recently the Carabao Cup against Chelsea, during his six & a half year reign in Merseyside, and there’s no doubt he’ll want to add to that collection with an unprecedented quadruple on the cards this season.
If the recent form was the yardstick here, Liverpool would have this easily. However, this is a final, and Chelsea are known to turn up for such games, so we do not expect the recent form to play out majorly.
Both German coaches handling these teams are very tactical and it has been seen in the three meetings between them this season, all of which have ended in draws. Chelsea will go for revenge after the loss to Liverpool in the League Cup final but the Reds have shown they don’t give in easily. A draw at 90 minutes looks quite possible here.
Betting Predictions
Liverpool to win
Liverpool should most definitely lift this trophy at Wembley once again this weekend as the Reds have won three of their last six encounters against Chelsea. Tuchel’s men have lost two, won two, and drawn two of their last six matches, not exactly the best form ahead of a game against title-challenging Liverpool. The Reds have won five of their last six fixtures in all competitions and it is clear to see just why Liverpool are the favorites to win the FA Cup on Saturday. Bet9ja have 2.04, 1xbet have 2.07 and Paripesa have 2.07 odds.
Both teams to score (YES)
We’re expecting goals in this game at both ends of the pitch, just as we have seen in three of the last six meetings between these two great English clubs. Three of Chelsea’s last six outings have ended with both teams scoring and the Londoners have only failed to score in one of those matches. Liverpool have seen each of their last three games end with both teams finding the back of the net and the Reds have scored in all six of those fixtures. Bet9ja have 1.68 odds, Paripesa have 1.75 and 1xbet have 1.75 odds.
Anytime Goalscorer (Liverpool)
Salah
Mohamed Salah scored in both league meetings and the Egyptian great chance to score during the 90 minutes on Saturday evening. He hasn’t been in the best of form lately but we can assure you that he relishes games against Chelsea and Finals also. He is the team’s leading goal scorer this term and this should count for something going into this game. Bet9ja have 2.50 odds for him to score while Paripesa have 2.38.
Mane
Sadio Mane is the Liverpool man in form this 2022 and is firmly Liverpool’s player of the year so far. No one has scored more than him in a Liverpool shirt since the turn of the year across all competitions (13) — and that has come despite him contesting in, and winning the Africa Cup of Nations. The Senegalese was once again the difference-maker in midweek as Liverpool edged Aston Villa to keep their Premier League title hopes alive, scoring the match-winner in the 65th minute. Bet9ja have 3.00 odds for him to score while Paripesa have 2.75.
Anytime Goalscorer (Chelsea)
Lukaku
The striker has seemed to return to form here and has earned a starting spot in this final with consecutive goals in which he has started those games. He has scored three goals in his last two starts and he is a good choice here today. He hasn’t been in the best of form this season but he can provide the performances needed to earn Chelsea another trophy this season. Bet9ja have 3.75 odds for him to score while Paripesa have 3.40.
Kai Havertz
Kai Havertz has enjoyed a solid season for Chelsea, with 13 goals & six assists in all competitions for the blues & with a history of scoring big goals in the finals, scoring the winning goal in last season’s Champions League Final against Manchester City. He was rested against Wolves and he could be on the starting sheet for Chelsea today. No goals in a long time wouldn’t bother the German as he is a certified big-game player. Bet9ja have 3.80 odds for him to score while Paripesa have 3.74.
Football Lover. All-round junkie of the beautiful game. Could be found watching football most of the time. If not he’s writing about them or making some punditry you don’t agree with. A certain bias for Arsenal and Santos FC.
