Chelsea v Liverpool Champions League semi final preview Wednesday 30th April 2008
Chelsea v Liverpool, Champions League Semi-Final, second leg (1-1 from First leg), 19:45 kick-off at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea host Liverpool in the second leg of their semi-final showdown at Stamford Bridge looking for the chance to meet Manchester United in the Final in Moscow on May 21st, guaranteeing an English winner of the trophy this year. Chelsea will feel they have the advantage going into this game after John Arne-Riise’s late, late own-goal at Anfield last week handed Chelsea a lifeline to bring into the home leg of the tie – Remember, this is a Chelsea side that has not lost a game at home for more than four years.
Frank Lampard should return for Chelsea after missing the win over Manchester United that kept Chelsea in the Premiership title race due to the death of his mother, whilst all the hype pre-match has been surrounding Didier Drogba, who Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez branded a diver this week, amid claims he had compiled a dossier of the Chelsea striker’s dives. Drogba and his manager Avram Grant have strenuously denied these claims, and counter-claimed that if Liverpool wanted Drogba to stay on his feet, then they should stop kicking him.
Chelsea are favourites to win this tie, and progress to the final, with the best odds for a Chelsea win currently being 5/4 (with Ladbrokes), whilst you can get odds of 11/4 for a Liverpool victory with VC Bet. The draw will get you 2/1 at Stan James. Favourites for first goalscorer are Drogba (6/1, Blue Square), Torres (13/2 (totesport), Anelka (7/1, 888sport), Lampard (8/1, Bet 365), and Crouch (9/1, Sky Bet). Those fancying John Arne Riise to make up for his own goal at Anfield with the first (as possibly winning) goal at Stamford Bridge tonight could rake in 28/1 (888sport) if he does make amends.
This match will be settled tonight – In the event of a goal-less draw (Currently 8/1 with VC Bet), Chelsea would progress on away goals. Should the match finish 2-2 (18/11, 888sport and Blue Square) or a higher score draw, then Liverpool would go through on away goals, and if it finishes 1-1 (11/2, Boylesports), then the match will go to extra time and then penalties. Bet365 have some specials, pricing Liverpool at 22/1 to win in extra time and 25/1 to win on penalties, and Chelsea at 18/1 to win in extra time and also 25/1 to win on penalties.
Going into this tie (and aware that Manchester United face the victors), Chelsea are 9/4 (888sport) second favourites to life the Champions League trophy next month, whilst Liverpool are third-favourites at 11/2 (Bet 365 and VC Bet). This tie will be shown live on Sky Sports 2.
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