Liverpool-Chelsea: Champions League Preview

Liverpool v Chelsea

Wednesday 8 April 2009,  Anfield

Kickoff: 19:45

Liverpool

Liverpool defeated Real Madrid 4-0 at home in their last Champions League match, to win the fixture 5-0 on aggregate.

This season's Champions League has seen Liverpool win six and draw two, scoring 16 goals and conceding five in the process.

Liverpool has no fresh injury concerns, with Philipp Degen (groin) still absent. Javier Mascherano will miss out the match on suspension.

Chelsea

Chelsea drew 2-2 with Juventus on the road in their last Champions League match, winning the fixture 3-2 on aggregate.

In the Champions League this season, Chelsea have won four, drawn three and lost one, scoring 12 and conceding seven goals so far.

Chelsea may be without Didier Drogba for the match, as well as Jose Bosingwa.

Prediction

With only three points separating second placed Liverpool and third placed Chelsea in the Premier League, at first glance it may appear that there is little to separate the two sides in this match.

However, Liverpool's form has been exceptional since their win over Real Madrid at Anfield a month ago, having won their four matches in the Premier League since, including a 4-1 thrashing of league leaders Man Utd and a 5-0 demolition of fifth-placed Aston Villa.

The Reds' last-gasp 1-0 victory over Fulham over the weekend did not truly reflect the dominance that Liverpool displayed during the match.  The late winner has undoubtedly kept Liverpool's title hopes alive.

Chelsea have also been on a great run since late February, having won five of their last six league matches. Guus Hiddink has undoubtedly injected confidence back into the Chelsea squad, and his influence is clearly showing in both Chelsea's domestic and continental form.

In spite of this, there is definitely a clear divide between the two sides heading into Tuesday's match. Liverpool is definitely the more confident of the two. Combine this with the fact that the Reds have not lost at Anfield all season, they head into the first leg of this massive all-English quarterfinal as favourites for victory.

Read the full preview with the best betting online guide at the Liverpool vs Chelesa page now!

Then Read More Champions League Previews including Manchester United vs Porto and Villareal vs Arsenal