Will Chelsea squander their last chance at European competition?
An old, hopeful saying goes: “Everything will be fine in the end, and if it isn’t fine yet, then it isn’t the end.” Applied to the current situation at Chelsea FC, the proverbial end is clearly not even within reach. The Londoners are currently going through one of the most difficult phases of the last few decades and are even in danger of missing out on European competition entirely.
The 1-3 home loss on Monday afternoon against Nottingham Forest—a relegation candidate that traveled to Stamford Bridge with an improved B-team due to their Europa League commitments—was a sporting disaster and, at the same time, their sixth consecutive Premier League defeat! That’s one of the reasons why my first instinct is to bet on a home win in Saturday’s Liverpool vs. Chelsea match.
However, in the interest of fairness, it must be noted that Liverpool Football Club is also contributing its own share to this “clash of the disappointed.” The Reds currently sit in fourth place, never had a realistic chance of defending their Premier League title throughout the season, and also squandered all other chances at silverware relatively early on.
Compared to the Blues, however, it must be noted in the Liverpool vs. Chelsea preview that the team led by manager Arne Slot—whose future in the city of the Beatles remains unclear and highly questionable beyond the summer—is in better form—despite the bitter 2-3 loss last week at Manchester United. Before that, however, LFC had at least three consecutive PL wins to celebrate, which virtually secured their CL ticket. Since they’ve also collected ten points from their last four PL home games, I believe that Florian Wirtz and Co. will also win their penultimate home game of the season.
Another factor that should work in the home team’s favor is the fact that Chelsea has now conceded at least one goal in 13 consecutive Premier League matches. In four of their last five matches, they’ve even conceded three or more goals.
Depending on your risk appetite, attractive betting odds are available for the high-profile clash between Liverpool and Chelsea, including a home win with both teams to score (2.50 @Betano).
Liverpool – Chelsea Head-to-Head Record
The last two Premier League meetings went to the Blues from London, who have now celebrated as many wins in the top flight as they did in the previous 20 matches against Liverpool Football Club. At home, however, the Reds’ record remains solid.
Looking back at the past ten matches at Anfield Road, there have been five wins, four draws, and just one loss. Generally speaking, the rivalry has recently been firmly in the hands of the respective home teams, who have won all four of their most recent home games in the Premier League—incidentally, with both teams scoring in every one!
Liverpool – Chelsea Prediction
Chelsea FC fans streamed out of the stadium in droves on Monday after their favorite team was dismantled and humiliated by Nottingham Forest. The crisis at the London club is all-pervasive.
After six consecutive Premier League losses, Callum McFarlane’s team has slipped to ninth place. If the former Champions League winner doesn’t turn things around this weekend at Anfield Road, a season without European competition looms—assuming the Blues also lose the FA Cup final to Manchester City.
For now, however, the focus is on the Premier League away match in Liverpool, where Chelsea has won only one of their last ten games. While the Reds have also been disappointing this season, they’ve at least been performing decently at home in recent weeks. Considering that absolutely nothing is going right for the Blues right now, I see value in betting on a home win for Liverpool against Chelsea.
