Preview
Chelsea will travel to Anfield to play in a blockbuster Premier League clash with Liverpool on Saturday evening.
So far this season, neither side have put a foot wrong, with the Reds and the Blues both following up 3-0 victories on the opening weekend with 2-0 triumphs last time out.
Both squads are capable to mount a title challenge to reigning champions Manchester City this season, however, this weekend’s match will represent the first serious test of those credentials.
On the face of it, Chelsea have only won once at Anfield in seven years, but will the champions of Europe be able to buck that trend come Saturday evening? Ahead of the game, our tipster Robert Mann takes a look at some of the best bets from Liverpool vs Chelsea to get your teeth stuck into.
Form Guide: Liverpool
Liverpool hosts Chelsea in one of the big games lined up in the Premier League as it goes into Match Week 3. Both sides have perfect runs and have scored five times in the opening two matches of the league. Going to the game, they are joint second and Liverpool will hope home advantage once again plays in their favor. In the last seven years, Chelsea have won just once at Anfield, the 1-0 win last season. Liverpool are a more confident side now, with a nearly fully fit squad and are doing well across all departments.
They’ve kept clean sheets in their opening two matches, and scored two or more goals in each of their last five matches across all competitions. In the Premier League, they are unbeaten in 12 games, with seven straight wins, and have scored two or more in each of the last seven. They are also on a five-match unbeaten run at home in the Premier League, and the last three have come with clean sheets. The return of Virgil van Dijk has given the team a new lease of life, as far as defending is concerned, and it will be interesting to see how he copes with the threat of Romelu Lukaku on the opposite end.
Form Guide: Chelsea
Chelsea head to this game after a dominant game against Arsenal, which they won 2-0. Once again, Romelu Lukaku will be a man to watch here after a good display against the Gunners. Chelsea, like Liverpool, have scored five and conceded nine in their opening two league games. The Blues also head here unbeaten in their last five matches and haven’t failed to score in their last nine matches. They have two losses in the last 10 league matches, with five clean sheets and having scored two or more in six of 10 in the league. Away from home, Chelsea have seven wins in 10 league matches and three of their last five away league matches have produced over 2.5 goals.
How the Match Could Go
The bookies don’t see a clear favorite in this one. This could go either way really, as both teams have the quality needed to get the job done. Also, both teams got off to an excellent start in the season and are in goalscoring form. Now it’s just about finding value.
The bookies give Liverpool an edge though, based on the home advantage. Chelsea’s defense will make the difference in this one. Their defense under Thomas Tuchel has been excellent, and they have what it takes to take the victory in 90 minutes. The presence of Lukaku at the front will also give this team the sharper attacking edge they need to penetrate Liverpool’s defense.
Betting Predictions
Liverpool to Win
In a game that is likely to be a cagey affair, we’re backing Liverpool to make their home advantage count once more. Jurgen Klopp’s men have enjoyed an impressive recent record against Chelsea, winning four of the last Premier League meetings – and that should tell you all you need to know. Stats don’t mean a lot these days but Liverpool just seem to be the favorites, especially given the venue. Bet365 have 2.45 odds, Bet9ja have 2.48 and Paripesa have 2.53.
Both Teams to Score
Both teams have scored in three of the last six competitive and non-competitive meetings between Liverpool and Chelsea and we’re expecting more of the same on Saturday evening. Three of Liverpool’s last five outings have seen both teams score, while both teams have found the back of the net in four of Chelsea’s last six fixtures. . Bet365 have 1.75 odds, Bet9ja have 1.77 and Paripesa have 1.79.
Over 2.5 Goals
This is a fixture that tends to yield plenty of goals, with both teams having scored in 13 of the previous 19 clashes – a run that includes a 5-3 win for Liverpool at Anfield last year. A repeat of that on Saturday might be a little optimistic, but there should be plenty of entertainment on show, which makes backing over 2.5 goals in the match a solid option. Bet9ja have 1.88 odds, Bet365 have 1.90 and Paripesa have 2.02.
Anytime Goalscorer (Liverpool)
Mohamed Salah
Mohamed Salah will have the added incentive of trying to score against his former club, having spent a miserable two years with Chelsea from 2014 until 2016. Given the form the Egyptian is in, it would come as no surprise to see him get on the scoresheet this weekend. Mo Salah hit a serious dip in form last season for Liverpool, but that’s a charge that could be labeled at plenty of their big guns last term. The good news for Reds fans is that he appears to be back to top form and netted in their win at Norwich. Bet365 have 2.00 odds, Paripesa have 2.65 and Bet9ja have 2.75.
Diogo Jota
Diogo Jota is aiming to become only the fourth Liverpool player to score in each of their opening three games of a Premier League season. He has been in top form so far this term and is already looking likely to be the third man in the Liverpool front trio, displacing Roberto Firmino. He is on sync at the moment and will have enough motivation to get on the scoresheet. Bet365 have 3.00 odds while Bet9ja have 3.25.
Anytime Goalscorer (Chelsea)
Romelu Lukaku
Romelu Lukaku scored on his second debut for Chelsea in last week’s 2-0 victory over Arsenal. The big Belgian striker looks like he means business and many are expecting him to beat his rivals to the Golden Boot this season. Lukaku won the league with Inter Milan last season and finished as the club’s top goalscorer and went on to impress at Euro 2020 for Belgium. Being an ex-Everton striker, Lukaku would love to silence the boo-boys with a goal at Anfield. Bet365 have 2.30 odds, Paripesa have 2.60 and Bet9ja have 2.80.
Kai Havertz
While all eyes will be on Lukaku, that could open up space for Kai Havertz to get in goal-scoring positions. Lukaku showed he could be more than just a goal-scorer against Arsenal and that could benefit players like Kai Havertz moving forward. Bet365 have 3.50 odds while Bet9ja have 4.75.
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.
