Liverpool -1 (EH)
Liverpool to win this 2-0 and repeat this scoreline from earlier in the EPL.
Liverpool go into this game with a 1-0 deficit and after the way they played in the first leg, they would have to be happy with this result. They looked unorganised, and many of their passes went astray. The resting of most of their team from the weekend should keep them fresh and reasdy for thsi ficture, which is, after all, their only hope of a trophy this year. But the pressure is on Chelsea to ensure they go through after their draw on the weekend, which all but ended their title aspirations.
I look to Liverpool to win this based on several reasons:
(a) Drogba, and Cole to a lesser extent, are the only players to cause Liverpool problems. I expect Benitez to have worked quite a bit with young Agger to address some of his positioning so that he ready for this match up again
(b) the Anfield crowd to be in full voice which should be unnerving for Chelsea as it was in the previous league fixture
(c) i question the Chelsea's players to cope with the pressure. One of their main leaders is Lampard, and has it has often been seen, when the pressure is on, he goes missing. They do not have the experience at this type of pressure at this level. I think Liverpool will approach this game like they did at half time in Istanbul: with a nothing lo lose philosophy. Also losing Carvalho is a big blow for them
(d) i think Mourinho is starting to lose it as a coach. For all the minds games he has been playing in the last few weeks, it hides the fact that his side and his selections, style etc have been way below what they usually are. I think Mourinho is mentally trying to outfox Benitez because he has nothing else to work with as his team is tired, fatigued and one wonders what kind of harmony there is in the team with all the drama surrounding this team of mercenaries.
A champion team, will in most cases beat, a team of champions.
C'mon you Reds. Fire up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By the way, i like some of Benitez' responses to Mourinho's baiting:
"They know the pressures they are under, you only have to ask Mr Abramovich what he wants, the Champions League or the Premier League. They know. It is clear they will be under pressure because they were talking about trophies, trophies, trophies. Maybe they have one less to win now and that makes the Champions League their priority."
"Mourinho has also been critical of Liverpool's fans over the past week, but Benitez hit back by saying that, unlike Chelsea, Liverpool do not need to hand out free flags to get their fans in the right mood. He added: 'At Stamford Bridge, we showed that our supporters won their battle, even though Chelsea had their fans all with flags to wave. But our supporters were there with their hearts. We do not need to give away flags for our fans to wave - our supporters are always there with their hearts and that is all we need."
"I remember before the game in 2005, the Chelsea players spoke a lot about being ready for the Anfield atmosphere, but when the game was played they could not handle it. It's very difficult for any opposing team to prepare to play against 12 men. Our fans cannot give red cards or award penalties, but they can score goals. I like this about our supporters because we know they will show they are in the best in the world again tomorrow night. "