Liverpool vs. Chelsea Matchday 11 England Premier League, Anfield Stadium, Liverpool, England 10 AM EST Sunday November 7, 2010
by Jason Green of Predictem.com
Match Odds: Chelsea 1.95 / Liverpool 3.95 / Draw 3.30
Over/Under Total: 2.5 goals
Moneyline: Chelsea -105 / Liverpool +275 / Draw +230
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Liverpool is in unfamiliar territory at the bottom half of the English Premier League table, but they can really turn around their season by beating Chelsea this Sunday. Liverpool sits in 13th place in the standings and one of the main reasons for their slow start has been their offense, which has only scored 10 goals in 10 matches. However, there have been signs of life from the Reds recently, as they have won their last 2 EPL matches.
Liverpool has been in the news not only because of their poor play, but also because of ownership issues, as the owners of the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball recently bought them.
Chelsea is off to a red-hot start this season, as they are currently in 1st place in the league and they have scored the most goals this season (25). What is even more impressive than the Blues’ dynamic offense has been their defense. They have only given up 3 goals, which is the fewest in the EPL and the team that has given up the 2nd fewest is Everton with 8.
Chelsea has only lost 1 EPL match all season and that was at the end of September losing to a solid Manchester City team in Manchester.
Liverpool’s offense is struggling, as they have 5 guys that are tied for the team’s leading goal scorer at 2.F Fernando Torres has been nagged by injuries the whole season, but when healthy he has not looked like the star we are used to seeing. He does not have a reliable backup so he has had to play when he should have been rested. He is match fit now and will b counted on the spurn Liverpool’s offense.
Chelsea’s offense has simply been a delight to watch and the 3 players of Florent Malouda, Didier Drogba, and Salomon Kalou have combined to score 18 goals this season. Malouda is tied with 2 others for the most goals scored in the EPL with 7.
G Petr Cech and the entire Chelsea defense has been phenomenal this season, as they have only given up 1 goal in their last 7 matches.
Both teams play mid week, as Chelsea takes on Spartak Moscow in a Champions League match on Wednesday the 3rd in Russia and Liverpool takes on Napoli at home on the 4th in a Europa League match.
Chelsea Recent Form:
10/30/2010 Blackburn 1 Chelsea 2 (EPL)
10/23/2010 Chelsea 2 Wolverhampton 0 (EPL)
10/19/2010 Spartak Moscow 0 Chelsea 2 (Champions League)
10/16/2010 Aston Villa 0 Chelsea 0 (EPL)
10/3/2010 Chelsea 2 Arsenal 0 (EPL)
Liverpool Recent Form:
10/31/2010 Bolton 0 Liverpool 1 (EPL)
10/24/2010 Liverpool 2 Blackburn 1 (EPL)
10/21/2010 Napoli 0 Liverpool 0 (UEFA Europa League)
10/17/2010 Everton 2 Liverpool 0 (EPL)
10/3/2010 Liverpool 1 Blackpool 2 (EPL)
To add insult to injury Liverpool will be without star MF Joe Cole in this match while Chelsea will get MF Frank Lampard and DF Alex back. Liverpool MF Dirk Kuyt is still injured and will not play in this match.
The Liverpool defense will have to play great in this match and they have stepped up their play recently only allowing 1 goal in their last 3 matches. However, that is a tall task against Chelsea, who has many players that can find the back of the net. The Blues will come out on the attack and score at least 2 goals in this match.
Petr Cech has 6 clean sheets in Chelsea’s last 10 matches, but he will not add to that total in this match, as Liverpool will score. I think Torres will be the one to get the goal, as he is fit and his speed will cause the Blues’ defense some problems.
Jason’s Pick to Win: I think Liverpool is going to start having some success in the league and climb up the table, but it will not start in this match. Chelsea is simply too good on both sides of the pitch and they will win this match by a score of 2-1 or 3-1.