At 7:30 am ET (4:30 am PT) on January 21, two of the heavyweights of the Premier League battle it out to attempt to recover from what has been a woeful season so far.
As hosts, Liverpool need to bounce back from a two-game losing streak in the league, while Chelsea’s tsunami of injury concerns continue to stop them from going on a consistent run of good results.
It’s a must-win game for both teams. Tied on points in ninth and tenth, with Liverpool having a nine-goal edge in the goal difference column, a win could get either within three points of taking the Europa League place in fifth.
While the two sides are level-pegging in the Premier League – Liverpool hold a game in hand – the Reds are favoured to beat the Blues on Saturday, coming in at -120 in the soccer betting odds.
Even with that being the case, Liverpool vs Chelsea has the makings of a close game in which both managers will be feeling the pressure. Here’s the preview for the game, as well as the best odds and betting picks.
Best Liverpool vs Chelsea Odds (January 21)
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Moneyline: Liverpool -120, Tie +275, Chelsea +285
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2.5 Goals: Under +120, Over -150
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Spread: Chelsea (1) -109, Tie (1) +460, Tie (-1) +280
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Anytime Goalscorer: Mohamed Salah +140
Which Team Will Win: Liverpool vs Chelsea?
Liverpool are the favourites in the odds, but the game itself has all of the right ingredients for it to end in a tie, just as the last two fixtures have between Liverpool and Chelsea.
When last they met, and Chelsea had Thomas Tuchel in charge, the game ended 2-2 at Stamford Bridge. In the reverse fixture earlier last season, at Anfield, the game ended 1-1.
The historical head-to-head between the Reds and the Blues is also very close, with 23 wins for Liverpool, 21 for Chelsea, and 16 ending in a tie.
Importantly, Chelsea have caught the injury bug this season, leaving Graham Potter’s side depleted.
As it stands, Raheem Sterling, Christian Pulisic, Armando Broja, Ben Chilwell, Reece James, Edouard Mendy, Denis Zakaria, N’Golo Kanté, and Wesley Fofana are all recovering from injuries, while João Félix is banned.
The new owner, Todd Boehly, is throwing money at just about any name that appears in the papers, but it’ll take time for his latest spree to bring results on the pitch, given Potter’s very distinct style of play.
It’s this constant slew of injuries that has hindered Potter since his arrival in October. Liverpool have also been hit by injuries to Diogo Jota, Virgil van Dijk, Luis Díaz, and possibly Darwin Núñez, but they can still put out a starting XI resembling a full-strength side.
Despite having lost their last two Premier League games, being able to field most of the same players consistently gives Liverpool the edge, which is why they are favoured to get back to winning ways at Anfield this weekend.
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) January 15, 2023
Predictions and Picks for Liverpool vs Chelsea
Liverpool are the -120 favourites in the odds, but in their latest league defeat – a crushing 3-0 loss to Brighton & Hove Albion – the team lacked energy and even looked legless in the middle of the park.
The dip in form for the Reds, and their lacklustre season overall, is rooted far deeper than missing a couple of forwards, and they are coming into the game having played Wolverhampton Wanderers in the FA Cup on Tuesday.
Chelsea won’t play in midweek, giving Potter those essential additional days to rest key players, drill the side for the match at Anfield, and carry momentum from their 1-0 win over Crystal Palace last weekend.
Still, the Blues continue to struggle to find the back of the net, only scoring five times in their last ten Premier League games.
Potter is managing to get some solid defensive play out of his side, though, holding Manchester City to 1-0 and keeping a clean sheet against Palace’s enigmatic forwards.
What this game looks to come down to is which team jumps out of the gates with more energy and determination, making live betting online the optimum choice for this very close match.
Prior to kick-off, a tie at +275 on the moneyline looks to be the preferred pick, even with Liverpool favoured at -120 to Chelsea’s +285.
Liverpool have also struggled to hit the back of the net and keep the ball out of late, scoring three times in as many league games while conceding seven.
Where the Reds will likely find some luck, however, is on the right wing, where star Mohamed Salah features and is at +140 to score anytime.
Chelsea’s left-back situation continues to be the bane of their woes, leading to the $70 million signing Marc Cucurella being benched against Palace in favour of 18-year-old Lewis Hall.
In a game like this, under 2.5 goals at +120 looks to be on the cards, as does the tie. On the spread, a tie +1 or tie -1 at +460 and +280, respectively, would be worth watching in case one side snags a late winner.
He's so good. 🐐 pic.twitter.com/d1BdSS5C80
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) January 16, 2023
- Predictions: Under 2.5 Goals and Mohamed Salah to Score Anytime
There’s a lot on the line for Potter and Jürgen Klopp in this January 21 Premier League game, and while the odds side with Liverpool, the predictions here see a low-scoring game and a tie as the end result.
*Credit for all images in this article belongs to AP Photo*
FIRST PUBLISHED: 18th January 2023
