Chelsea

Both teams head into their latest last-four clash in good form, although it is the Spanish outfit who have looked the most impressive in recent weeks.

Under Roberto Di Matteo, Chelsea have taken eight points from their last four league games and booked their place in the FA Cup final thanks to a resounding victory over Tottenham on Sunday.

Barcelona, meanwhile, are hot on the heels of La Liga pace-setters Real Madrid and have taken maximum points from their last five league appointments to keep the pressure on Jose Mourinho’s men, scoring 14 goals in the process and conceding just two.

Barca defender Dani Alves believes that their opponents must show must courage if they are to book their place in the final but, at odds of 4/1 to win the first leg, they aren’t fancied to overcome their alleged fears.

The Catalans are 8/11 to take the advantage with them back to the Nou Camp and 6/1 to scrape an away goal and come away with a 1-0 win.

There hasn’t been more than a single goal between these two teams when they have met on the last six occasions and, with both sides looking confident at the back in recent weeks, that particular scorecast is certainly worth your consideration.

A 0-0 draw is available and 10/1 and is another selection that offers great value. Barca could not find a goal in their first-leg clash with AC Milan in Italy and they may find it tough to find the net at Stamford Bridge, despite the continued imperious form of Lionel Messi.

But if there are to be goals on Wednesday evening then expect that man Messi to be at the centre of any misery the Catalonian giants are able to pile on Chelsea.

The Argentinian maestro is priced at 5/2 to score the first goal on the night and is the closest thing to a safe bet as you’re going to find in the goalscorers market.

A Messi strike and 1-0 Barcelona win is available at 14/1, which seems fairly generous, while a Messi goal and 1-1 draw at the end of the first leg is 16/1, which again seems a little too kind.

Should Chelsea get on the scoresheet then expect Fernando Torres to be pulling out all the stops to impress against his fellow countrymen. The Spaniard’s problems finding the net this season have been well-documented, but at 9/4 to score at any time he is certainly worth thinking about.

Torres’ team-mate Drogba is available at the same odds, while Essien, who scored a screamer against Barca when the two sides met at the Bridge in 2009, is worth a punt at 13/2 to repeat the feat and score anytime.

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Chelsea

Another team hoping their recent revival isn’t faltering are Liverpool, as they look to become one of just a handful of clubs to win at the Stadium of light this season. We preview both matches and try to pick out the best bets…….

Sunderland v Liverpool (1:30pm)

The Reds head to Wearside on the back on a downright disappointing night at Anfield on Thursday, as they crashed out of the Europa League at the hands of Braga. No one thought Liverpool could play as badly as they did in the 1-0 defeat in the first leg, but the goalless draw showed Kenny Dalglish still needs to do a lot to put his team back on the map.

With their hopes of silverware gone, all Liverpool have left to play for is a top five finish – the only way they can get back into Europe next season. At the moment Tottenham occupy fifth and are six points ahead of Liverpool, whose hopes for next season will suffer a major setback without European football.

The chances of the Reds bouncing back don’t look good when you consider they have lost all their Premier League away games after a Europa League clash. They will be able to call on Luis Suarez again and that could give them a real boost, especially going forward after that toothless display on Thursday.

Up against them will be a Sunderland team who had suffered four successive defeats in February, but secured a much needed and unexpected draw against Arsenal in their last outing. Steve Bruce’s injury problems are showing signs of easing as well and Lee Cattermole, Danny Welbeck and Nedum Onuoha could be back on Sunday.

Sunderland are looking for revenge after feeling hard done by in the 2-2 draw at Anfield earlier in the season, although the Reds will remember a certain beach ball costing them last year’s game on Wearside. Sunderland will feel Liverpool are there for the taking, but should be wary of the wounded Reds.

Match Bet – Draw HT/ Sunderland FT @ 9/2

Chelsea v Manchester City (4pm)

No doubt this is the game of the weekend as the club’s respective billionaire owners field their respective collection of expensive ‘toys’ in the battle for the title. Roberto Mancini’s men are seven points off league leaders Manchester United but, given the way the season has gone, can’t be counted out yet. Neither can Chelsea, who look like they are getting into their stride at just the right time, after putting together back-to-back wins in the Premier League.

Heading into the game you would have to say Chelsea are in the better form, City having been dumped out of the Europa League on Thursday and struggled past Reading and Wigan in their previous two games.

Chelsea look to have a bit of the swagger back that saw them win the Premier League last season and while they are still struggling for goals, with Nicolas Anelka, Didier Drogba and Fernando Torres in their pack you can bet someone will hit the back of net sooner or later.

City’s build-up to the game has been dominated by Mario Balotelli’s sending-off in midweek and his all-round poor demeanour which could see him left at home for the trip to west London.

City recorded a surprise win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge last season and a repeat of that result would be equally as shocking. However, Chelsea look to have the edge and when it comes down to the business end of the season can normally be relied on to produce the goods.

Match Bet – Chelsea to win @ 8/13

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