The Sports Bookie Blog

Liverpool & Chelsea Handed Comfortable Home Draws

February 14th, 2008

Both Liverpool and Chelsea are expected to come through Fifth round FA Cup ties against lower division opposition this weekend. The Reds entertain Barnsley on Saturday, which on paper is a more testing fixture than Chelsea’s game at home to Division One Huddersfield. The Tykes are mid-table just one division below Liverpool, but there is a gulf of class between the sides. Barnsley have no pedigree for Cup upsets, have overcome only mediocre FA Cup opponents en route and are without a first-team goalkeeper. Their away league form is atrocious, failing to win in twelve straight fixtures on the road, drawing a blank in eight of those. Liverpool were given an early scare by minnows in the last round, so expect a more professional performance.

PinnacleSports.com price Liverpool 1.952 (-2)* with Barnsley 1.971 (+2)*.

Chelsea’s home tie with Huddersfield is a repeat of their 2005 FA Cup encounter. At that time riding high under Jose Mourinho, Chelsea were expected to sweep the Terriers aside, but the game was 1-1 until up until the 82nd minute, when Eidur Gudjohnsen settled it. That result is symptomatic of Chelsea’s cup performances at home to lower class teams, where the anticipated cricket scores rarely materialise; nevertheless Chelsea usually come out on top. Avram Grant can welcome back Drogba, Kalou, Essien and Obi Mikel from Ghana, but in company with Rafa Benitez, will be thinking ahead to next week Champions League fixtures when making his team selections.

PinnacleSports.com make Chelsea 2.10 (-2 & -2.5)* with Huddersfield 1.833 (+2 & +2.5)*.