Liverpool vs. Chelsea Prediction, 7/22/20
Trying to cement their top-four status in the Premier League this season, 3rd-placed Chelsea is paying a visit to newly-crowned champions Liverpool, who have won just two of their last five games. Kick-off - at 15:15 PM ET on Wednesday, July 22.
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Road Woes Continue For Liverpool
Newly-crowned champions Liverpool will not be setting a new Premier League points record, eclipsing Manchester City’s 100-point total of 2017-18, after being beaten with a count of 2-1 by Arsenal at Emirates Stadium on Wednesday. Sadio Mane opened the scoring in the 20th minute before the hosts replied with two first-half strikes of their own, as the Reds have now lost five of their past seven road outings in all competitions (W1 D1 L5). They have conceded 10 goals in their past five EPL away contests - as many as in their previous 19 league travels, and are W2 D1 L2 in their last five Premier League games overall.
Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah leads Liverpool with 19 league markers. Brazilian Alisson, meanwhile, occupies the 20th position in the EPL’s goalkeeper chart with 55 saves. He has recorded 13 clean sheets in 27 appearances this year and gives up a goal every 124 minutes on average. The Reds have banked the 2nd highest amount of goals during the ongoing campaign (77) while taking the 3rd highest number of shots per game (15.8). The team is 2nd in ball possession (59.6%) and 3rd in passing accuracy (84.2%).
Chelsea Reach FA Cup Final
Last week finished on a high for Chelsea, who banked a 1-0 Premier League victory against Norwich City at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday before reaching the final of the FA Cup following a 3-1 semi-final triumph against Manchester United at Wembley Stadium five days later. Olivier Giroud scored in both fixtures, as the Blues have booked a spot in the FA Cup final for the 14th time in their history and currently sit 3rd in the EPL with a W19 D6 L11 record, one point ahead of 4th-placed Leicester City, but with a game in hand. The team has won nine of its last 11 fixtures in all competitions (W9 L2).
With 14 Premier League goals under his belt this season, English marksman Tammy Abraham leads Chelsea in scoring. Goalie Kepa Arrizabalaga, meanwhile, sits 21st in the EPL with 53 saves. He has registered eight clean sheets in 32 outings during the current campaign and allows a goal every 69 minutes of play. The Blues have buried the 4th highest number of league goals this season (64), while posting the 2nd highest quantity of shots per game (16.8). The team is 3rd in ball possession (58.1%) and 2nd in passing accuracy (85.3%).
Prediction
On Wednesday at Anfield, Liverpool will finally, be physically presented with the Premier League trophy they officially won already almost a month ago and will be making sure their first title celebration in 30 years will not be spoilt by visiting Chelsea. The Reds have not enjoyed their best soccer lately, winning just two of their past five league outings (W2 D1 L2), but have been exceptional on own turf, currently riding an incredible 58-game unbeaten domestic run in England’s top tier, winning 17 of 18 home matches this season alone (W17 D1). The Blues will be high in spirits after beating Manchester United in the FA Cup semi-final and need a victory here to guarantee themselves a top-four finish in the league. Still, do bank on Liverpool to deliver a solid performance against a team, that has won just one of its last three EPL away fixtures.
Best bet:
Liverpool to win (+100)