Premier League Giants Set Sights on Lucrative Top Four Berth

Liverpool vs Chelsea

With both sides out of the Premier League title race, Champions League qualification is the main aim when they go head-to-head at Anfield on Thursday night.

The reigning champions finished 33 points clear of the west London aristocrats last season but, with a central defensive injury crisis leading to a miserable 2021 so far, they currently trail them by a solitary point with both teams just outside the top four.

That is why this contest – one which has traditionally delivered Premier League highlights – is so important.

Talking Points

It should be said Liverpool and Chelsea remain in this season’s Champions League and victory in that competition would mean an automatic passage to next season’s lucrative European top table.

But that is a risky strategy to take and, should one or both sides miss out on a return to the competition, the financial implications would be damaging.

More so for Liverpool, one suspects, as Chelsea have the wealth of benefactor Roman Abramovich who has changed the landscape of English football since 2003.

They are the team in form too.

Thomas Tuchel has lifted them from ninth to fifth over the past month and remains unbeaten after eight games.

He has been an energising presence, restoring senior players such as Jorginho, Antonio Rüdiger and Marcos Alonso and now needs to try and get the best out of two of last summer’s big money signings in German duo Timo Werner and Kai Havertz.

Writing about Werner earlier this season, I noted Chelsea had a player who could arguably be the most prolific marksman to arrive in the English top flight for some time.

Can Chelsea’s Timo Werner find his form and score a goal in their Premier League clash against Liverpool? — Chelsea’s Timo Werner shoots at goal against Newcastle United

It has not quite worked out like that but Thursday would be a great time to start against a club who were reportedly interested in his services before he opted for west London.

While the visitors are likely to be without Thiago Silva, they should generally be at full strength.

The hosts are set to be boosted by the return of goalkeeper Alisson and Fabinho and expect forward Diogo Jota to be fit enough to take his place on the bench following three months out.

As for as this first meeting in English football between Tuchel and his German counterpart Jurgen Klopp, the odds are firmly in the Liverpool boss’ camp.

The 14 meetings between the two have seen Tuchel come out on top just twice, with Klopp winning nine.

Granted, the majority of those clashes were between minnows Mainz and Borussia Dortmund, with Tuchel in his first full managerial role at Mainz (also Klopp’s first club) and Klopp in his second with Borussia Dortmund (also to be Tuchel’s second).

Now with more even resources, this should be a much more level playing field and a contest full of attacking enterprise.

Liverpool netted their 7,000^th top flight goal as they finally secured a league win in February at strugglers Sheffield United on Sunday night. If they can secure back-to-back victories, they will be back in the top four at Chelsea’s expense.

opacity 0

CLICK HERE
TO SEE UPDATED ODDS

Bundesliga

History

The match earlier this term was a comprehensive victory for the Merseysiders, who were in control even before the hosts were reduced to 10 men in the first half.

Last season these sides met three times with Liverpool recording a league double over their opponents, although Chelsea turned the tables in the FA Cup.

A superb free-kick from Trent Alexander-Arnold earned Liverpool a 2-1 success in the corresponding league fixture almost a year ago before they won 5-3 in the penultimate game of the league season with the title already decided.

Boyhood ‘Evertonian’ Ross Barkley scored a fine goal when Chelsea knocked Liverpool out of the FA Cup a year ago.

These sides also met at the start of last season in the European Super Cup Final – an exciting contest which Liverpool edged on penalties.

Overall, Chelsea have 64 victories in all competitions, Liverpool have 82 successes and there have been 41 draws.

Betting Tip

	Liverpool vs Chelsea	Over 2.75 @ 2.08
	March 5, 04:15 (GMT+8)

They may have problems in the centre of defence but Liverpool’s strength is reflected in the SBOTOP Premier League betting odds which makes them favourites.

They are priced 1X2 @ 2.29 compared with Chelsea @ 2.96.

Similarly, with Asian Handicap odds, the hosts can be backed -0.50 @ 2.29 with Chelsea 0.00 @ 2.33.

For goals, you can get odds on over 2.75 @ 2.05, over 3.00 goals @ 2.33 and total goal 2-3 @ 1.96.

Last season’s fixture resulted in a 5-3 Liverpool success and the closest I can see this time is correct score 4-3 with a massive @ 140.00.

It is hard not to see at least a few goals which is why I’m plumping for a over 2.75 goals @ 2.08.