Chelsea vs. Liverpool: Premier League betting odds, preview, and pick

The title race took a huge swing in December, as both Liverpool and Chelsea lost ground on Manchester City. After being right on the reigning champions’ coattails, both Liverpool and Chelsea are now in danger of completely losing touch.

This game at Stamford Bridge has become a must-win for both, with the loser effectively dropping out of the race for the league title.

Disastrous December for Chelsea

It’s been a monumental fall from the top of the table for Chelsea, who have imploded in the last month. Despite going into December having picked up 30 from a possible 39 points, losing just once and sitting pretty on top of the table, the Blues now find themselves eight points adrift of Manchester City.

Thomas Tuchel’s men have a 3-1-3 record in December, and they’ve kept just one clean sheet — something that was a trademark of Tuchel’s side earlier in 2021. On Wednesday, a last-minute Danny Welbeck goal gave Brighton a draw at Stamford Bridge and heaped more pressure on the home side.

Jorginho has been Mr. Reliable for Chelsea from the penalty spot this season, but take away his two penalties against Aston Villa and his two against Leeds United, and Chelsea would be six league games without a win.

At home, Chelsea have won just one of the last five, dropping points to Brighton, Everton, Manchester United, and Burnley. Tuchel’s headaches include a mounting injury list with Reece James and Andreas Christensen suffering injuries against Brighton, and Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Thiago Silva, Ben Chilwell, and Timo Werner also on the shelf.

Two goals in two games for Romelu Lukaku will be a boost for Chelsea fans, as the striker gets back to top form, but it’s a tough time at the Bridge.

The Nightmare after Christmas

Liverpool might be seven points better off now than they were last season, but they are nine points adrift of Manchester City after a nightmare Christmas run. A controversial 2-2 draw with Tottenham was followed by the cancellation of their game with Leeds on Boxing Day. Then on Tuesday, they failed to score for the first time this season, as Leicester City beat them 1-0 at the King Power Stadium.

Mo Salah missed a penalty against Leicester, as the Reds missed a whole host of chances before Leicester scored with their first shot on target. It was the first league game in the last 29 that Liverpool have failed to score, and this Sunday is the last time Mo Salah, Sadio Mane and Naby Keita will be available for Jurgen Klopp before they leave for the African Cup of Nations.

That’s a huge blow for Liverpool, who know that defeat here will leave them potentially 12 points off Man City and without some of their star attackers. Before that draw to Tottenham, the Reds had won six games in a row, averaging 2.8 goals a game and keeping four clean sheets.

Jurgen Klopp admitted his side didn’t look themselves against Leicester, and they’ll need to rediscover their mojo on a short turnaround to stay in the race.  

Chelsea and Liverpool Betting Trends

• Chelsea have conceded in seven of their last eight league games
• Under 2.5 goals has clicked in eight of the last 10 league games between Liverpool and Chelsea
• 80% of Liverpool’s away games in the league this season have had Over 2.5 goals
• Both teams have scored in three of Liverpool’s last six league games
• Liverpool have scored in 95% of their league games this season
• Chelsea have scored in 90% of their league games this season

A bad result for both

This is a must-win for both teams, but equally it's a must-not-lose!

Defeat would almost certainly wipe the loser out of the title race, and that will play in the mind of both coaches. Neither team are in particularly good form, and although Liverpool will argue they're the better side, going on the road to Stamford Bridge on a short week is not a simple task.

Tuchel will be keen to get his side defending like they were pre-December, and will look to keep this nice and tight. That makes Under 2.5 goals look like a great value play, and the 0-0 and 1-1 draws hugely appealing.

Score prediction: Chelsea 1-1 Liverpool (+550)

Chelsea vs. Liverpool: Under 2.5 goals (+100)

Same Game Combo: The game to end in a tie, Under 2.5 goals, Over 9.5 corners (+600)