It’s almost eight years since these two rivals last met and it should still be a tense match as Chelsea and Leeds face each other in the Capital One Cup quarter finals, with their rivalry dating back to the 1960s.
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After all the drama at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League clash between Chelsea and Manchester United over the weekend, fate would have it that these two rivals would go head-to-head in the Capital One Cup on Wednesday night (Chelsea 5/4, draw 12/5, Manchester United 21/10 – Match Betting).
However, it looks like there will be two very different teams that take the field at the Bridge this week from the ones who played in the 3-2 victory for United on Sunday.
For the Blues they will, of course, be without striker Fernando Torres and defender Branislav Ivanovic, as they were both sent off in the defeat to the Red Devils, while skipper John Terry is still serving a suspension.
The absence of the influential trio will give some of the fringe players at Chelsea a chance to impress manager Roberto Di Matteo, who will be looking for a bit of revenge following the weekend’s events.
Former Wigan Athletic striker Victor Moses could get a rare start up front and may well partner Daniel Sturridge, in what could be a decent pairing that will cause the United defence problems.
As for the Red Devils, manager Sir Alex Ferguson is likely to rest strike duo Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie for the return to the capital, as they prepare to face Arsenal at Old Trafford in the Premier League on Saturday.
Michael Keane, Marnick Vermijl and Scott Wootton have all been touted as youngsters who could be given a chance against the Blues.
The changes to both teams should defuse what would have been a highly-charged encounter and, based on the strength of players coming into their side, Chelsea should book their place in the quarter-finals, with United possibly having one eye on their clash with the Gunners.
In another encounter on Wednesday, Norwich City are set to host an ever-improving Tottenham outfit at Carrow Road (Norwich 16/5, draw 13/5, Tottenham 5/6 – Match Betting).
Spurs will be making plenty of changes for their clash with Canaries as they prepare for their fourth game in 12 days, after all their efforts in the Premier League and Europa League.
Hugo Lloris is expected to be given a chance between the sticks, as he desperately looks to nail down a regular spot in the starting XI under manager Andre Villas-Boas.
Norwich boss Chris Hughton is also likely to swap things about but he will have to do without the services of defender Russell Martin, who picked up a back problem in the 1-1 draw with Aston Villa over the weekend.
These two sides met early in the Premier League season and it ended in a 1-1 draw but Spurs have improved since then and they should come out on top.
In the other game on Wednesday night, Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers takes on his former club Swansea City at Anfield in a battle of two teams who like to pass the ball (Liverpool 4/9, draw 10/3, Swansea 13/2 – Match Betting).
Liverpool have been forced to use their youngsters regularly this season and the defending League Cup title holders will once again look to the youth at the club.
The Swans have been struggling to pick up wins in the Premier League and they will be keen to focus on their exploits in the top flight in their bid for survival.
Liverpool, especially on home soil, should have too much for the Swans and the Reds look like they will progress further in the competition once again.
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Chelsea welcome Manchester United to Stamford Bridge on Sunday and absolutely everything points towards a victory for the Blues (11/8 ).
Chelsea vs Manchester United 4pm
Roberto Di Matteo’s men have got off to a flyer this season, and with the midfield trio of Juan Mata, Oscar and Eden Hazard lighting up the Premier League, it is no surprise.
A four-point lead at the top of the table is everything they deserve.
Mata is 8/1 to score the first goal, while his Spain team-mate Fernando Torres can be backed at 40/1 to get a hat-trick. Worth a punt when you consider the fragilities of Sir Alex Ferguson’s back four.
Chris Smalling is set to make his return, but Rio Ferdinand, Jonny Evans and company have looked woeful this season.
The former champions shipped three goals at home to Tottenham – almost unheard of – and are struggling in midfield against the league’s better sides.
Only the form of front men Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney can give the Old Trafford outfit anything to smile about at the moment.
With Cheslea’s John Terry suspended, a van Persie double is well worth a gamble at 15/2.
Everton vs Liverpool 1.30pm
Liverpool head to Goodison Park for the first Merseyside derby of the season in the Premier League’s early kick-off on Sunday and the Toffees are surely favourites for this one.
Everton always have an ability to up their game for visits of their closest rivals, but not only that, they have simply been the better team so far this term.
David Moyes’ side have been so strong thanks to their Belgian star Marouane Fellaini – who they hope can recover from a knee problem for Sunday.
If so, Fellaini is a great bet at 8/1 to be the Toffees’ first goalscorer on the day.
But despite Everton’s fantastic start to the season, over confidence could see them unhinged.
Brendan Rodgers has got Liverpool starting to pick up victories, with their last two outings resulting in 1-0 victories. A 1-0 win at Goodison is well worth a punt at 7/1.
Everton have only managed one victory in their last 11 Premier League meetings with Liverpool.
Southampton vs Tottenham 3pm
Southampton will be without record signing Gaston Rarmirez for the visit of Tottenham on Sunday.
The south-coast side have rapidly come bouncing back down to earth following their opening salvo after promotion. Nothing but a Spurs victory – 5/6 – is worth backing.
Andre Villas-Boas’ men will hope that they can score some goals to get their confidence up and are 12/1 for a 3-0 victory.
Gareth Bale returns to Spurs’ line-up following the birth of his child and is well worth a gamble to score first against his old club.
Newcastle vs West Brom 3pm
Newcastle will hope to get back to winning ways after their Wear-Tyne draw last Sunday.
Alan Pardew’s men should be able to achieve just that, as they are evens to pick up a home win.
The strike duo of Demba Ba – 4/1 to score first – and Papiss Cisse – 9/2 to score first – should be too much for the Baggies, who have yet to win away from home this season.
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They may well start the season as one of the favourites to be relegated (3/2) again this season, but Wigan appear to winning over some of the doubters and can claim a point on the first Sunday of the Premier League campaign.
Roberto Martinez’s men have left it late in the last two seasons to secure their to- flight survival, but there are real signs that Latics (1/2 to stay up) are making progress under their Spanish boss.
Having turned down the chance to join Aston Villa last summer and having spoken to Liverpool during this close season, Martinez seems to be happy with how things are progressing at the DW Stadium.
A fine end to last season, when they recorded wins over Manchester United and Arsenal, highlighted their improving quality and they eventually finished seven points above the drop zone.
They have lost two key players this summer, Hugo Rodellaga and Mohamed Diame, but they have added quality to their squad and seem to have the knack of finding rough diamonds that they turn into decent Premier League players.
Arsenal midfielder Ryo Miyaichi has joined on loan during the close season, while the impressive Aruna Kone has joined for £2.7million from Levante.
They will face a massive test in the opening game against the Champions League winners (Match Betting – Wigan 11/2, draw 3/1, Chelsea 8/15), who head to the North West following a disappointing showing in the Community Shield.
Chelsea (7/1 to win the title) were very much second best to Manchester City at Villa Park and the absence of the suspended Branislav Ivanovic is a blow to their defensive options.
Although the Blues have paid big money for the likes of Eden Hazard and Oscar, Roberto Di Matteo will be relying heavily on Fernando Torres for goals following the summer exit of talisman Didier Drogba.
One other side issue will see Victor Moses (5/2 to score at anytime) come up against the team that are desperate to sign him before the end of the month.
Martinez says he has no problem selecting the former Crystal Palace man, despite him being the subject of a failed bid from Chelsea earlier this summer. Moses could yet move to Stamford Bridge, but Wigan are standing firm on their valuation.
Last season’s corresponding fixture ended in a 1-1 draw, thanks to a late Wigan equaliser from Jordi Gomes, and a repeat scoreline can be backed at 13/2.
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Chelsea have confirmed their Champions League hero Didier Drogba is leaving the club which, on top of speculation regarding interim boss Roberto Di Matteo and signs of unrest from Fernando Torres, all means it promises to be a busy summer around Stamford Bridge (Chelsea 9/2 – Premier League Outright 2012/13).
It could be said simply that Chelsea would not have won the Champions League on Saturday without Drogba. Adding to the fact it was his goal that beat Barcelona in the first leg at Stamford Bridge in the semi-final before he converted to quite an impressive left-back for long periods of the second leg, it was also Drogba who scored a wonderful header to force extra-time in Munich, and who else but the Ivorian stroked in the winning penalty to send Chelsea fans into delirium and give Roman Abramovich what he has always desired.
That Champions League win, courtesy of Drogba’s right foot from 12 yards, has led every man and his dog to call for Di Matteo, who took over after Andre Villas-Boas (11/4 – Next Permanent Liverpool Manager) was shown the door, to be given the manager’s job properly at Chelsea.
It would be a bold move for the Russian chairman to look elsewhere given the calls for the Italian to get the job. A more realistic vision could be for Di Matteo to get a one-year rolling contract, which means that in 12 months’ time Chelsea could welcome former Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola with open arms if he wants to make a comeback to football following his self-imposed sabbatical.
With Drogba, who himself has been linked with a possible move to Barcelona but could be more likely for a big pay day over with former Blues striking partner Nicolas Anelka in China, going then that could open the door for Torres.
There is no doubt the Spaniard has looked a shadow of his former self since a massive £50 million move but the Chelsea fans have stuck with him as he got his head down and worked hard for the team. Indeed, his form really picked up towards the back end of the season.
But it remains to be seen how faithful they will be to him now after Torres effectively soured the Champions League celebrations by speaking out to Spanish journalist Guillem Balague and criticising how he has been treated.
Torres may wish he had kept his mouth shut as there remains a big chance the team could be fitted around him in the post-Drogba era – if they persevere with him after his outburst.
With the Ivory Coast man leaving that means Torres and Daniel Sturridge, who looked impressive in the first half of the season but then went off the boil and seemed to turn more selfish and frustrating for fans as the campaign went on, remain the leading forwards on the books at Stamford Bridge. And let’s not forget Romelu Lukaku, who made a sum total of eight appearances since signing for £13 million last summer.
Atletico Madrid striker Radamel Falcao and CSKA Moscow’s Seydou Doumbia have been linked to possibly replace Drogba but it remains to be seen how Chelsea’s transfer policy will play out until they confirm a new manager – although they do have a history of signing players without consulting the boss – Andrei Shevchenko springs to mind – and those higher up have seemed to be behind the signings of Marko Marin and Kevin De Bruyne over the last few months.
Chelsea used to be the big powerhouses when it comes to spending but Manchester City (11/8 – Premier League Outright 2012/13) have leapfrogged them over the last two years, and how the Blues would love to be able to splash out on a Sergio Aguero this summer.
They would also dream of someone of the calibre of Arsenal (10/1 – Premier League Outright) striker Robin van Persie, but the Blues will face massive competition if they wish to get a top, top striker. The fact they are Champions League holders will help them when it comes to attracting players this summer, but it would be a masterstroke to get a true replacement for Drogba.
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Chelsea’s Champions League triumph on Saturday night goes down as probably the club’s greatest-ever night but, despite making them European champions, interim manager Roberto Di Matteo is still not certain to get the Stamford Bridge job on a permanent basis.
The Blues beat Bayern Munich in their own backyard, albeit on penalties, after the two sides drew 1-1 in normal time at the Allianz Arena and totesport make them 12/1 to retain the crown in 12 months’ time.
Di Matteo’s side had to dig deep to land their first ever European Cup (Barcelona 7/2f – 2012/13 Champions League outright) and it was another resolute defensive display that secured the trophy after a nervy 120 minutes.
Didier Drogba’s header cancelled out Thomas Mueller’s late goal before Petr Cech saved Arjen Robben’s penalty in extra time. The Blues then went on to triumph on spot-kicks.
That cued wild celebrations from the Londoners, who beat the odds to overcome Bayern, so surely Di Matteo can expect the call from owner Roman Abramovich to manage the club on a permanent basis?
Well, not so apparently. Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck said in the aftermath of the victory that the Italian is just “in the mix” for the post, with reports suggesting former England manager Fabio Capello is being lined up by Abramovich.
Quite what else the former Blues midfielder has to do to get the post is the question though. Di Matteo has steadied the ship in remarkable fashion since Andre Villas-Boas left and got an under-performing squad to gel quickly with the minimum of fuss.
He then not only guided them to the FA Cup by beating Spurs in the semi-final and Liverpool in the final but also saw off the mighty Barcelona over two legs in the Champions League semi.
If this was any other club, Saturday’s victory over Bayern would have pretty much guaranteed a successful interim manager the full-time job, but things are not quite as straightforward as that at the Bridge (Chelsea 9/2 to win 2012/13 Premier League).
Abramovich has been through more managers than most since he arrived at the club in 2003 with, apparently, his top goal for the club being to win the European Cup and become kings of the continent.
That has now happened but still, it seems, Di Matteo is not certain of the job. The players have been gushing with their praise for him and he definitely has the backing of the fans but whether he will get the chance to take complete control in August remains to be seen.
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The focus on Wednesday evening is very much on the top end of the Premier League table with three of the four sides chasing a top-four place in action, although Bolton are desperate for points themselves as they bid to climb out of the relegation zone.
Arsenal are seemingly nailed on at 1/12 to secure one of those Champions League berths – which may be reduced to three depending on the result of the this year’s final – but the Gunners will be keeping a close eye on proceedings on Wednesday with Tottenham (8/11), Chelsea (11/10) and Newcastle (6/1) all in with a chance of closing the gap.
Arsene Wenger’s men have at least a four-point cushion over their rivals but have played a game more, and victories for the two of the three chasing clubs will really set up an exciting run in.
Chelsea v Newcastle 7.45pm
Chelsea have been in tremendous form under Roberto di Matteo, losing just one of 16 games under his stewardship, and go into the match on the crest of a wave, having knocked Barcelona out of the Champions League as well as crushing QPR 6-1 in an embarrassingly one-sided west London derby on Sunday.
Fernando Torres looked every inch the star footballer that persuaded Roman Abramovich to splash out £50m to sign him from Liverpool and he won the man of the match award after scoring a hat-trick.
It has been a difficult season for the Spain hitman and that treble doubled his league tally for the season to six, although he has scored 11 goals in total in 47 appearances in all competitions.
However, it was the manner of his performance that will have got the Blues fans excited – with two cup finals approaching – as he looked sharp and dangerous and wanted the ball, as well as finding the net on three occasions.
Whether he starts remains to be seen as di Matteo may opt to change things around again but if he does start, he has to be considered in the goalscoring markets.
Newcastle have surprised so many for so long and a recent six-match winning streak kept them firmly in the hunt for a top-four finish.
However, that run was emphatically ended at the weekend and although it was no disgrace to lose to Wigan at the DW Stadium, given Latics recent run, the manner of the defeat and the 4-0 scoreline leaves cause for concern.
The Magpies do not usually travel well to Stamford Bridge, having not won there in 18 matches, but should provide more of a test than the Rs as they have kept 14 clean sheets this season – only the Manchester clubs have kept fewer – and have a distinct goal threat in the shape of Papiss Cisse and Demba Ba.
Branislav Ivanovic is a welcome return for the Blues as David Luiz and Gary Cahill are still ruled out and given the way they have been playing recently, coupled with the fact they won 3-0 at St James’ Park, Chelsea should come away with the points (Chelsea 8/15, Draw 16/5, Newcastle 11/2 Match Betting).
Bolton v Spurs 8pm
Spurs managed to rediscover the winning formula over Blackburn last Sunday, easing to a 2-0 win in a match where Rovers did not muster a single shot on goal, either on or off target.
Whether the Lilywhites rediscover the spring in the step that made them a title challenger earlier in the season now that the England situation has been sorted out (although it was never an issue in the first place apparently) remains to be seen, but they still remain in the hunt for a top-four place despite a horror run of form.
Harry Redknapp’s men had won just one of nine matches going into the Rovers clash although they did get the better of Bolton during that time in the FA Cup.
That cup win over the Trotters did come at White Hart Lane though and they need to turn around a dismal away run to keep pace with the likes of Newcastle, Chelsea and of course Arsenal.
Spurs have not won any of their last eight Premier League away games and have not scored in the last four, although they are the favourites at 10/11 in the match betting to end that run on Wednesday.
However, it could come down to a question of whose need is greater with Bolton knowing any kind of positive result will take them out of the bottom three with just two games to go.
Owen Coyles men are priced at 3/1 to pick up maximum points although a draw, given the Trotters defensive woes this season, at 13/5 could be the way to go.
Spurs have never won at the Reebok and are hardly in the best of nick, while Bolton are unbeaten in the last three Premier League games which gives sway to a positive ‘home’ argument, despite the fact that the Lancashire outfit has picked up more points on the road this term.
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Chelsea face probably the biggest test in club football on Tuesday when they take on Barcelona in their Champions League semi-final second leg at the Nou Camp but will they be able to pull off one of the greatest results in their history by knocking out the Catalan giants?
Since taking temporary charge, Roberto Di Matteo has significantly enhanced his chances of getting the Stamford Bridge job on a permanent basis with some eye-catching results.
The 1-0 first-leg win last week has been THE stand-out score during his fairly brief tenure but if the Blues can secure a place in the Champions League final and knock out Barca on their own ground then that result alone could go along way to seeing him get the job in the summer (Barcelona 1/5, Chelsea 9/1, draw 9/2 – match odds).
Barcelona may have dominated possession, territory and created by far the greater amount of chances in the first game but Didier Drogba’s goal against the run of play in London has given Chelsea the edge in the tie whatever way you look at it.
They now head to Spain knowing a draw or even a 2-1 defeat will see them through to a place in Munich next month – and plenty of pundits and fans alike believe the Premier League side can finish the job.
Barca did everything but score last week, hitting the frame of the goal twice, while Lionel Messi and co failed to convert the numerous clear opportunities that would have given them the vital away goal. Chelsea know they are likely to face an attacking barrage once again at the Nou Camp so a mighty defensive rearguard will be needed once more.
However, keeping Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Pedro and Alexis Sanchez (11/8 to score anytime) quiet is one of the toughest jobs in the game, without even considering what three-time world player of the year Messi (2/1 – First/Last goalscorer) can do, so the Londonders are sure to be up against it.
Barca had in excess of 70% posession in the first leg and if Chelsea let them dominate to that extent again then Pep Guardiola’s side are set to come out on top overall, even though the visitors are sure to try and implement a gameplan to try and hurt their opponents on the break.
Real Madrid showed the Blues how to do it when they came away with a 2-1 win in Saturday’s El Clasico but the La Liga leaders certainly have more attacking threat, compared to Chelsea, in their side to make an impact at the Nou Camp.
If Barca fail to score in the first half then Chelsea’s hopes will rise considerably but, as tempting as it is to believe the Premier League side can come out on top, Guardiola’s men are too good to lose three on the bounce and their superiority should finally tell to break Di Matteo and his side’s heart.
Second-leg Prediction – Barcelona 2-0 Chelsea (11/2).
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Matters at the top of the Premier League are under the microscope in Saturday’s two live games.
The lunchtime kick-off sees Chelsea and Tottenham square off in a battle for the Champions League places, while Manchester City will hope to return to the top of the table with a win at Stoke City in the evening game.
Chelsea v Tottenham
There will be more than just local pride to play for in this London derby at Stamford Bridge.
Fifth-placed Chelsea will be looking to pile the misery on out-of-form Tottenham and close the gap between the two clubs to just two points.
The Blues have enjoyed a resurgence in form under caretaker boss Roberto Di Matteo, winning four games on the bounce before succumbing to Samir Nasri’s late goal against Manchester City in midweek.
Tottenham meanwhile are suffering an alarming dip in form. After being considered as an outside bet for the title a few weeks ago, the White Hart Lane club won just two of their last nine Premier League games and have taken just one point from the last 12 available to place their spot in the top four at real risk.
Some suspect that speculation linking Harry Redknapp with the England job has had a negative effect on the team’s results, something Redknapp vehemently denies.
The statistics are also heavily against Spurs as they head to west London. For starters they have not won there since 1990, with Chelsea winning 16 of their last 24 matches against Spurs at Stamford Bridge in all competitions.
Boss Redknapp has lost his last eight visits to the Bridge as a Premier League boss, with the also Blues losing just one of their last eight home league games.
It is unsurprising then that I recommend you consider the Chelsea win, currently priced at 10/11.
With Tottenham fashioning just six shots on target across their past four games at the Bridge a Chelsea win to nil is also my tip, with a 2-0 win my prediction priced at 15/2.
Stoke v Manchester City
Manchester City’s dramatic victory over in-form Chelsea on Wednesday appeared to give them fresh impetus in a title race that looked to be slipping from their grasp.
But can they carry on where they left off at the Etihad and return to the summit with a win at Stoke?
With bitter rivals Manchester United – still 8/15 favourites to win the Premier League – not playing until Monday, Roberto Mancini’s men have the chance to strike a psychological blow in an increasingly frantic title race by leapfrogging the Red Devils in the table with a win on Saturday teatime.
However, a trip to the Britannia Stadium to face rough and ready Stoke means a return to the top is far from a foregone conclusion – even if Totesport has a Stoke win priced at a generous 5/1.
A trip to face the Potters is regularly seen as the litmus test of a side’s true talents – ‘the can-they-do-it-on-a-wet-Tuesday-at-the-Britannia’ theory.
If they are to pick up the points on Saturday though City will need to rapidly improve their away form. Mancini’s men have won just twice in the league away from Eastlands since November, losing key games at Sunderland, Everton and Swansea since the turn of the year.
So why the long odds on a Stoke victory?
Well, the Potters, despite always being a tough side to play on their own turf, have been dogged with inconsistencies of their own as boss Tony Pulis struggles to cope with the extra demands of European football.
Defeat in the Europa League last month at the hands of Spanish giants Valencia formed part of an alarming run of six defeats from eight games that saw the club spin towards the bottom half of the table.
Successive home wins over Norwich and Swansea steadied the ship but defeats at Chelsea and Liverpool – the latter in the FA Cup quarter-final – put Stoke on the back foot once more.
A battling point away at Tottenham on Wednesday highlighted the spirit found within the squad at the Britannia, but the truth is their erratic results mean it is hard to count on the Potters when they take to the field on Saturday evening.
Many feel the Chelsea result was a seminal moment on the title race – with Totesport cutting City’s odds of Premier League glory to 6/4 on the back of the victory.
But it was not just in the manner of the win that could prove significant, the introduction of the once wantaway Carlos Tevez could also be the ace card that swings the title race back in City’s favour.
The Argentine made his first appearance since September on Wednesday and immediately made his presence felt with a lovely lay-off for Nasri’s winner. Despite being likely to start from the bench again on Saturday, his odds of 9/2 to score first – or last – are well worth considering.
City’s nerves are beginning to show, so I don’t expect this to be the expansive, goal-laden outfit that we saw throughout the autumn, but they also know that these are the games they simply have to win if they are to finish the year top dogs.
To that end I expect it to be tight and tense, with the draw HT/Manchester City FT worth backing at 3/1.
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The race for the Premier League title appears to be a two-horse race between Manchester City and Manchester United, with 17/1 shots Tottenham having work to do to gatecrash the party, but who is set to finish in the top four with them?
Assuming the two Manchester clubs and Spurs don’t blow up over the last 14 games of the season, one of them will be crowned as the champions of England, with City the current 1/2 favourites to secure the title in May.
Third-placed Tottenham, who saw boss Harry Redknapp cleared of tax evasion charges on Wednesday, have a seven-point cushion over Chelsea at the moment, so if it’s a case of just one top-four spot being up for grabs who will grab it?
The race, so it seems, is between Andre Villas-Boas’ Blues, Newcastle, Arsenal and Liverpool, with the answer set to be known in just over three months time.
Chelsea (4/9)
For the first time in years, Chelsea are not challenging for the top prize by virtue of the fact they are 14 points worse off than the league leaders.
This season was always going to be about rebuilding under Villas-Boas and he appears to be safe as long as he makes it into the top four and gives the Champions League a real crack.
The Blues certainly need a fresh injection of funds to freshen up a squad that can no longer rely on the likes of Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard to reproduce their magic given their advancing years.
But the west Londoners should have enough, although it may go down to the fire as they face Newcastle, Arsenal and Liverpool in three of their last five Premier League games of the season.
Newcastle (14/1)
The Magpies have been the surprise package of the season although there were real doubts they could compete following the exits of a number of first-team stars and owner Mike Ashley’s sometimes strange decisions.
But the Toon Army have new heroes to worship following the departures of the likes of Andy Carroll, Kevin Nolan, Jose Enrique and Joey Barton since January 2011 – although it appears the top four is beyond them for the time being.
That said, boss Alan Pardew, who was not the most popular man on Tyneside after replacing Chris Hughton, deserves huge credit for the side’s form.
However, tough-looking games at Spurs and Arsenal plus the home derby against in-form Sunderland between now and the middle of March will probably put a different complexion on matters.
Arsenal (5/2)
Boss Arsene Wenger reckons his side have a great chance of breaking back into the top four and while his side is bubbling with confidence after destroying Blackburn, it must be remembered Rovers have won just four games this term.
Interestingly, one of those victories was against the Gunners at Ewood Park back at the start of the season, with the north Londoners enduring a dreadful August by also losing to Liverpool and Manchester United while being held by Newcastle.
It must also be pointed out Arsenal are back in Champions League action this month while they have a tough run in the league, with trips to Sunderland and Liverpool plus the small matter of a home derby against Spurs on February 26 at the Emirates.
The best they can probably hope for is an FA Cup run, with Wenger’s boys 11/2 to go all the way to Wembley and win the most famous of football trophies.
Liverpool (2/1)
Kenny Dalglish’s outfit have spent a lot of money to fail to reach the Champions League after an absence of a couple of seasons.
Lesser characters in the game – and at Anfield in particular – might have come under more pressure given the Reds’ woeful form on their own patch.
Like Chelsea, Liverpool’s strongest characters around the club – Jamie Carragher and Steven Gerrard – are knocking on a bit but there does not appear to be too many ready-made replacements in terms of leadership.
Gerrard, though, still has a few more years in him, but he will be fortunate to feature again at Champions League level again before hanging up his boots.
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