AFTER all the excitement of the FA Cup over the last four days it's straight into the League Cup with Chelsea taking on Liverpool for a place in the Wembley final.
The sides are locked at 1-1 after the first leg so either side needs to score to avoid extra time – and only then will the away-goals rule kick in.
Jose Mourinho boss was genuinely bemused by his side's collapse at home to Bradford in the FA Cup – let's hope he wasn't the big hitter who put £44k on a home win at 1-100 when they led 2-0.
Mourinho labelled the 4-2 defeat as “disgraceful, shameful and embarrassing” and wasn't wrong. His stunned stars will have got the message as they aim to make amends in the second leg of their Capital One Cup semi against Liverpool.
Mourinho rested players against Bradford and John Terry was the one missed most. The 34-year-old skipper will be back tonight and can lead the Blues, who start level at 1-1, into a Wembley final.
Liverpool played well at Anfield but a lack of goals was again highlighted as they were held 0-0 by Bolton – a result that robbed a punter of a maximum £1 million payout on Neil Lennon's underdogs.
Chelsea are a bit short 13-20 with McBookie to win in 90 minutes and 1-3 at William Hill to qualify. The Reds are 5-1 at Betfred on the night and 10-3 at Betfred to reach the Final.
Diego Costa wasn't involved on Saturday but will be back to lead the line and is 17-5 with McBookie to score first. He was well marshalled at Anfield though so first-leg scorer Eden Hazard could be the better bet at 6-1 with McBookie and BetVictor.
There could be a surprise return for Liverpool's Daniel Sturridge but he'll be ring rusty after a long lay-off. The England man is 3-1 at Ladbrokes to net and skipper Steven Gerrard will also be back.
The first leg was cagey but tonight should be open as it's now basically a one-off match. Consider over 2.5 goals at 4-5 with McBookie and BetVictor.
Recommended Bets
Hazard to score first
(6-1, McBookie, BetVictor)
Over 2.5 goals
(4-5, McBookie, BetVictor)
Resident football tipster at Scotland's most read newspaper, the Daily Record, for over 20 years and proud host of one the best betting communities on the web with daily betting tips.
Omg who the hell puts 44k ona 1/100 is he mad in the head I’m sorry but that is bloody stupid
Can a normal human being really do that?
Harpreet?
John Terry any time goal scorer 8/1 at coral
The away-goal rule in capital one cup is different from the rules in europe…
The away goal only counts in extra-time.
So a 0-0 result after 90 mins will lead the game to extra-time, And THEN Liverpool have to score to even out the away-goals. 0-0 after 120 mins will see Chelsea trough.
I’m on both teams to score @ 1.85. I see Liverpool playing offensive game tonight to cancel Chelsea’s away goal but then, Chelsea can’t but score at least a goal in this match
7 of their last 8 meetings have gone btts… I’ll back that…@ 1.85
the away goal only counts only after extra time,chelsea face man city at the weekend so players will be rested for that game.
Chelsea will not rest players for the chance to go to Wembley.
Maccathered,dont amuse me,this is a cup semi final that will take you to wembley,so i dont think if you will look to future success rejecting the success already in front of you.Chelsea straight win for me
dont amuse you what do you know liverpool are playing the best football in england at this moment in time,for me liverpool will win tonight they have their mojo back and are playing well,if you look they are the most inform side in the prem league.
Chelsea will have a strong team out tonight.Out the FA Cup they will want to bounce back.Bradford were 1st to nearly every ball on Sat. and deserved their win.Robbie Fowler called it right why cant players play twice a week ? Still think this will be a tight affair Btts for me.
chelsea played a full strength team at liverpool and were outclassed in every department chelsea are wobbling now is the best time for any top side to face them confidence is low in thier camp.
Chelsea -1
Derby
Bolton
William Hill @ 12.82/1
Both teams to score and win
Chelsea
Mk dons
Ac millan
Tue 27th Feb!
If Sturridge starts tonight, him for 1st goal scorer @ 8/1 looks decent.
I think as Liverpool need to score they will start quick and try to put Chelsea on the back foot.
liverpool are 7th in the form table. not top.
liverpool have won four of their last 5 and drew one the most inform team at the minute.
maccathered, Liverpool have actually won three and drawn three of their last six in all competitions. Results have been decent but apart from the Chelsea second half performances haven’t been great. The three teams beaten were Wimbledon, SUnderland and Villa so I think you’re getting a bit carried away.
As a Liverpool fan I can’t see anything other than a Chelsea win tonight.Our best chance was in the first leg where we outplayed Chelsea but all we had to show for our efforts was a 1-1 draw which Chelsea should be delighted with.Liverpool haven’t beaten Chelsea in their last 6 attempts.I know they had a shocker v Bradford on Saturday but lets not forget we had a dreadful result v Bolton aswel.Chelsea got so much strength and quality and tonight will show.Liverpool haven’t got a quality goal scorer so No goals = No win.
Chelsea to win 4/6
Chelsea -1 7/4
your not a liverpool fan mate.
Dont think there will be many goals,and i expect another tight game here ,with chelsea maybe nicking it with one goal ,even 0-0 is possible again.
i will be laying the over 2.5 ,and see how it goes in the opening half hour.
I agree with dazzler, if sturridge starts, 8-1 1st goalscorer is a steal! Under 2.5 goals personally, liverpool will barricade at 1-0 and will chelsea get the equaliser? In on liverpool 1-0 and 1-1 correct scores too.
Liverpool to win both teams to score 17/2 bet365
btts for me
Terry,Matic and Costa back for Chelsea.
Chelsea to win 1-0
Will be a tough game!
I am a Liverpool fan and I am fearful of a chelsea back lash. If I was brendan rodgers I would simply say press from the front get at chelsea early doors and try to grab the goal . If we do this and can take the lead maybe with starlings pace we can hit them on the break for a second. I think our best hope may be to try to get it done in the 90 minutes as I am not convinced mignolet is going to be a penelty saving hero so I will be having a small stake on liverpool to qualify and liverpool double chance in the 90
stevie g anytime goalscorer ..big player in these games…freekicks pens 30yard rockets..great price 11/2…5*bet Bts at 4/5…thats nailed on.good luck all.
Chelsea v Liverpool
This game has been covered in some detail although not perhaps from the perspective of it being a one off cup tie! We are at the half way stage of the Semi final which is finely balanced on the aggregate score. Those with memories of a gold fish may recall Chelsea were played off the park and created very little due to Liverpool’s high octane pressing game. That nullified Chelsea’s counter attack and as a consequence they barely got out of their own half in the second half. Chelsea followed that game up with a “humiliating” result in the FA Cup against Bradford, yet another cup tie! You have to bear in mind that Chelsea were also humbled by Spurs who can hardly be considered as a free scoring team. A lot has been made of the Chelsea players that were rested but nothing of the Liverpool lot. A number of players were rested for both teams and I expect Terry, Matic, Costa, Courtois, Gerrard, Moreno and Gerrard all to be recalled to the starting line up. I suspect Sturridge may be a substitute for Liverpool as he started training with the team on Sunday although I have no idea on current squad announcements. Back to the cup action and this is Liverpool’s competition and they have a habit of doing Chelsea in big games especially semi finals. Liverpool are currently better away from home and that is based on utilising their counter attack. I agree with The Chief’s write up (and Mr F’s goal scorer). BTTS must have a good chance and the stats back that up. Hazard is without doubt Chelsea’s most dangerous player. He can make things happen so Liverpool will need a plan. Costa is not so much of an issue as Skrtel will have him in his pocket all night unless of course Hazard beats a few players and sets him up with a tap in! I hope the chief is wrong about over 1.5 goals, well unless Liverpool score at least an equal amount! Chelsea are too short for that price especially given their recent form going into this fixture and Liverpool’s relative good form away from home. I was looking at the DC last night and have to agree with Raal on his tip for a low stake bet. I can certainly see it being level after 90 minutes. This is football folks and as all those on Benfica/Porto will testify anything can and will occasionally happen. This will be the third time that the teams have met this season so expect them to perhaps negate each other. I am going for an unusual goal scorer based on that snippet of information. He does have goal scoring pedigree but just not in England. The odds reflect that.
Sakho to score 22-1 Bet365 (as short as 10-1 at WH) FGS 66-1-nothing more than a £1 on this although not a tip as such!
Liverpool DC 11-8 Corals (Main bet)
Alternatives: Gerrard anytime 6/1 BetFred & Hazard 24/13 888 Sport
Small bets for me tonight as I am out at the Dragons Den and will only pick up the second half. Good luck on your bets tonight!
I am feeling a penalty shootout
Its a semi final cup game form goes out the window, if its anything like the first match it will be a good watch.
The match has the potential to be a stalemate but that would only happen if chelsea parked the bus, i cant see them doing this because ine they feel they are a better team than liverpool and also they feel invincible at home.
Im going for both teams to score and possibly a correct scoreline in 90 mins if 1-1 or 2-2.
CHELSEA Courtois; Ivanovic, Zouma, Terry (c), Filipe Luis; Matic, Fabregas; Willian, Oscar, Hazard; Diego Costa
SUBS Cech, Azpilicueta, Cahill, Ake, Ramires, Remy and Drogba
LIVERPOOL Mignolet, Can, Skrtel, Sakho, Lucas, Henderson, Moreno, Markovic, Gerrard, Coutinho, Sterling
SUBS Ward, Johnson, Lovren, Lambert, Lallana, Allen, Balotelli
Just put Chelsea to qualify on penalties 12/1
Liverpool qualify on penalties14/1
Chelsea score . How’s your luck . Apart from that good day . Coyr
Where is the chat thread Mr.Fix,,i cant believe Milan couldn’t even find a draw after Lazio more than half an hour with ten men
I mean after Lazio played
Hahahaha well done Mr F,you put those plastic Reds in their place,doesn’t even know his own team’s form lololol,love it when I see so many Reds moaning and crying,keeps the River Mersey flowing and the estuary nice and salty lol,Chelsea to win the cup @1/100,get £44,000 on it quick before the price goes down!! Lmao :D
Archie the game would’ve been settled on away goals after ET, only realised as Chelsea were 4/7 or 4/9 to win after ET not long after ET KO but Liverpool 14/1. Daft rule if you ask me and don’t think any other uses it