After six straight wins, Chelsea have endured two tough games with Shakhtar Donetsk and another pair of games against Manchester United in recent weeks.
There was also a disappointing draw at Swansea too, so the European champions need a win when they host Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on Sunday. Chelsea are 19/20 (1.95) to pick up three valuable points against the Reds.
Liverpool are on a run of four matches without a win themselves, but one of those was in Russia on Thursday with Brendan Rodgers fielding a second-string side.
The Anfield boss has saved the big guns for this clash and Liverpool can be backed at 3/1 (4.00) to give their season a major boost with a win over Roberto Di Matteo’s Blues.
The draw is available at 5/2 (3.50). That is what Liverpool have come up with against Everton, Newcastle and Manchester City this season and might be the best they can hope for here.
Of course, what they will really be hoping is that former hero Fernando Torres does not find the net against them. The Spain striker is 11/2 (6.50) favourite to net first.
But with Chelsea’s host of attacking midfielders stealing the show this season, the punter may be wiser backing one of those to find the breakthrough.
Oscar has scored in two of the last five games and is an industry-best price of 10/1 (11.00) to bag first in this one.
Goals certainly seem likely. Chelsea have both scored and conceded in each of their last seven, while Liverpool have scored in 11 of their previous 12 prior to the shutout against Anzhi. Both teams to score is the pick of the bets here at 8/13 (1.62) .
With goals on the agenda, for the value bet consider tipping the visitors to cause a shock and get to the interval ahead.
Chelsea have been behind at the break in five of their previous 14 games, so the price of 3/1 (4.00) against Liverpool leading at the halfway stage looks a little chunky here, especially considering that Rodgers chose to rest many of his star names on Thursday.
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Adam Bate is a professional freelance journalist who specialises in football and betting. He is editor of GhostGoal which can be found here – you can also follow Adam on 
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