Liverpool-Chelsea Preview: Blues Look To Edge Closer To Title

A few hours from now the world will be watching as Chelsea travel to Anfield to take on Liverpool.

This afternoon is another one of the "Cup Finals" for Chelsea. After a superb performance against Stoke last week and a full week to prepare for today, we come into the game on a high and looking to maintain our lead in the Premier League.

A win is a must for Chelsea today knowing that United play after us. If Chelsea win, the pressure is back on United to get a result at Sunderland. It's my opinion that we have to win today and nothing else will do.

The managers have had their say, there has been plenty of build up to the game, and the vultures seem to be circling over the head of Rafa Benitez. One thing is for sure when Chelsea play Liverpool it's never dull and I fully expect today to be the same.

Liverpool are on a low.

Out of the Champions League in the group stages.

Out of the Europa league this week.

Their Premier League season has been a disaster, and Torres is out for the season. They go into today's game fighting for their pride in front of their own fans, but the after effects of Thursday Europa League exit after extra time will no doubt have an effect on the side today.

I expect Liverpool to come out all guns blazing for 30 minutes of the first half, but really do believe their legs will play a part after that, and it will be Chelsea's fresh legs and momentum that will be key to the game today.

These games are normally tight affairs. With the likes of John Terry and Jaime Carragher fighting with everything they have to keep a clean sheet, it normally is tight.

Today in my opinion it will be a lot different.

I can only see a Chelsea win. It's not because I am biased. It's because of the facts coming into the game. Chelsea have JT back from suspension, Mikel is available after injury and Ashley Cole has last week's run out behind him and will look to kick on today.

Chelsea have a strong squad and amazing depth on their team. Let's have a look at last week's game.

Our back four were Ferreira, Ivanovic, Alex, and Cole. JT, Carvalho, Zhirkov, and Bosingwa were missing. JT will come back into the side today and I expect Ferreria to make way for Ivanovic, which is tough on Ferreira as I do like him.

Our midfield is strong too. Last week the three who played were Ballack, Malouda, and Lampard. Mikel, Deco, and Essien were missing. I expect Mikel to come back into the side in the holding role. Malouda will push out wide and Ballack will play next to Lampard to bolster the side.

Up front last week was Anelka, Drogba, and Kalou, with Joe Cole and Sturridge on the bench. I expect Anelka and Kalou to make way today, which is tough on the both of them after last week, for Drogba through the middle with Malouda and Joe Cole out wide.

This is the difference between the two sides: Liverpool has no squad depth and fans have to admit they have just five or six mainstays in the side. Once these players are missing, Benitez has players coming into the side who just don't cut it.

Chelsea are flying. Playing well, looking confident and most importantly of all scoring goals from ALL areas of the pitch. With 93 goals already in the league this season I can only see us adding to that figure today.

Liverpool are a threat if Gerrard has time and space to dictate the play, but like the other night when the opposition has a lot of the ball and the play, he disappears. I expect the same today, so it's important that we have the possession, dominate the play, and keep the ball moving as the Liverpool players will tire.

Drogba and Lampard can have massive games today. They need to be at their best and knowing we are two games away from the title is all the motivation they both need. But there is one other player who is key for Chelsea and has grown into an opposing threat, and that's Malouda.

If Malouda gets time and space he can and will hurt Liverpool.

I predict Chelsea to win by two or three today with the goals coming in the second half as Liverpool tire.

After the result at Anfield today let's have a watch of the events at Sunderland. The pressure would be back on United and you never know, all the talk has been about Chelsea slipping up, but wouldn't it be nice if Sunderland did us a favour to make it a night we will never forget!