Carling Cup - Chelsea vs Liverpool Football betting preview

League cup continues and it is adding up the pressure as some teams will play 4 matches in 10 days! Actually this match will be a good test for potential stars and squad's reserves for both contenders.

JT heavy injury stunned Chelsea who will miss him for 6 weeks. Drogba is also out to injury and he won't play until Feb as he will be joining Ivory Coast for the African Nations Cup. Peter Cech was the one to blame for the loss vs rivals Arsenal as he missed Fabregas cross completely allowing Gallas to slot it in. Possibly he will be rested and Cudicini maybe given his chance as it usually happens for Chelsea in the League Cup. SWP missed a hell of chance to score in the Emirates following his relatively 'not satisfying enough' form. The good news for Grant are that Carvalho along with Ballack make a come back but the question is can they fit straight in the first XI? Essien will probably return and he can play not doubt about that.

Rafa I think will have his eyes on the next EPL home fixture v Portsmouth. Pool & Pompey are equal in points, so there is one hint why that match is so important. Liverpool may drop Gerrard as he is supposed to have a stomach bug! Come on! The water is clear up there isn't it? I think this indicates that Alonso maybe given a start today and also Crouch with Babel at front.

This is a good test match for both coaches. It would be nice to know what is on their minds and how exactly they are gonna get into this game. Chelsea are holders and I don't think they will sweat enough, been there done that. Liverpool may have a chance to play Everton on the semis and this always turns up the heat. Benitez needs badly a win so they can overcome the harsh 0-1 United defeat and hopefully continue the first horse chase.

Concerning how I see this game. I believe Liverpool still has the edge over the blues especially when it comes to put the ball in the net. Liverpool has equal quality if not better in squad depth. I cannot wait to see Babel taking on Ben Haim today. The Israeli really sucks! He has absolutely no idea of defending properly, surely way off for Chelsea standards. I just hope his national counterpart will pick him for the first XI..

Voronin and Alonso are dangerous players too who can stretch Chelsea all over the field. I try to explain you how important is for Chelsea missing Drogba at front. Joe Cole and Frank were boosted when Didie was playing. Undoubtedly Drogba was winning almost every single long ball that was coming near him. This fact allowed Lampard and Cole to be more aggressive and brave going forward frequently. However I am pretty sure that Chelsea are relying too much on this type of play and it will cost them dearly as Pizzaro and Shevchenko are not up to the task.

Grant is definitely not the person to be on Chelsea bench. Expressive Mourighno makes him seem so distant and isolated from the fans. The 'special' shinning aura that surrounded Chelsea is now all gone. He is clearly not experienced enough to take the Blues one step forward and I reckon his days at the club are numbered. I am not going crazy though with my stakes but I reckon that Reds will be smiling in the end of this one.

Pick : Away +0.5
Odds : 1.73
Stake : 4 / 10
Bookmaker : 10bet
Match Result :
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