Liverpool Host Chelsea In Cup Semi-Final

Anfield plays host to the first leg of the Capital One Cup semi-final tonight (19:45) Liverpool take on Chelsea. The victor over both legs advances through to the final to play either Tottenham Hotspur or Sheffield United in an effort to pick up the first domestic trophy of the season. Progress hasn`t been easy for the home club following a series of fixtures against top-end Championship and fellow Premier League sides. Over the three rounds in which they have featured, the Merseysiders have scored seven goals and conceded three.

Two of these goals against came in the third round of the competition, all Premier League clubs having received a bye into this stage of the tournament. This match against high-flying Championship side Middlesbrough finished tied, 2-2, and the `Pools only avoided embarrassment thanks to penalty success.

Youngster Jordan Rossiter put the Reds one to the good just 10 minutes into the first half and it took a full 50 for Boro to see in a reply. Suso thought he had won it for the home team when drilling his side in front in the first 15 of extra time but Aitor Karanka`s men levelled up once again through a Patrick Bamford penalty.

Liverpool eventually converted 14 penalties to Middlesbrough`s 13 to send the North East side out of the competition.

Former Boro man Marvin Emnes scored the opening goal against Liverpool for former champions Swansea in the fourth round though Rodgers` managed to work his magic to see his club come from behind to win 2-1 after normal time. Both Mario Balotelli and Dejan Lovren bagged goals in the final 10 minutes to turn the game on its head.

Progress through to the semi-final was confirmed by the Reds seeing off Championship promotion contenders Bournemouth. Raheem Sterling grabbed a brace and Lazar Markovic secured a third before the Cherries` 57th minute consolation goal.

Spreadex`s 10/3 says that Liverpool can keep a clean sheet despite failing to in their previous three rounds. Two to nine with Betbright and betfair suggest the team won`t be able to keep the goals out.

The North West side have scored two or more goals in each Capital One Cup game so far this campaign and Coral have priced the team up at 8/1 to bag over 2.5 goals tonight.

Premier League title favourites Chelsea have also failed to keep a clean sheet in each of their previous Capital One Cup matches, and they are 7/4 with most bookmakers to do so tonight.

Having conceded only three goals in these cup games, Chelsea have a better defensive record than their opponents but have scored the same amount of goals against a succession of lower league rivals.

Round three saw the Blues take on Bolton Wanderers at home and the game was tied 1-1 after the first half an hour thanks to goals from defenders Kurt Zouma and Matt Mills. Prolific goal-scorer Oscar grabbed the winner for Chelsea just 10 minutes after the half time whistle.

The result was also 2-1 when Jose Mourinho`s men travelled to League Two Shrewsbury Town in the fourth round, Didier Drogba opening the scoring in the second half before Andy Mangan equalised with 15 minutes on the clock. An own-goal from Jermaine Grandison stopped the game from going to extra time.

Chelsea were always in the driving seat against Derby County, however. Eden Hazard, Filipe Luis and Andre Schurrle provided the goals against Steve McLaren`s Championship opposition. As a result of their superior league position and defensive record, the away team are the 6/5 favourites (Numerous) to get the better of the Reds in this first leg. Blues first-choice goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois may make his return after sitting out three games with a broken finger. A trio of bookmakers (betfair, boylesports, ladbrokes) have priced Liverpool up at 13/5, the home team seeing the return of Steven Gerrard. A draw is available at 5/2 with a number of turf accountants.

Go To bet365

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20/01/2015     © Frixo 2026