Liverpool v Chelsea: Premier League betting preview, free tip and TV details

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Liverpool v Chelsea in the Premier League on Wednesday

Where to watch

Sky One, Sky Sports Premier League, Main Event & Pick, 8.15pm Wednesday

Best bet

Liverpool
3pts 21-20 Betfred, Betway

Team news

Liverpool
Captain Jordan Henderson will miss the final two games of the season with a knee problem. Joel Matip will also miss out with a toe injury. James Milner could be involved.

Chelsea
N'Golo Kante misses out with a hamstring injury while fellow midfielder Billy Gilmour is set to be out for three months following knee surgery. Christian Pulisic could come back into contention.

Match preview

Victory at Anfield would secure Chelsea a Champions League spot but while the prize is huge, the size of the task ahead of them on Merseyside may be beyond them.

Jurgen Klopp's Premier League champions don't lose at home in the games that matter. There have been a couple of slips in domestic cups - including an FA Cup defeat to Chelsea for the Reds' second string - and an extra-time defeat to Atletico, but Liverpool haven't lost a Premier League or 90-minute European match at Anfield for more than three years.

The thinking behind the prices for this clash is that Chelsea have a huge incentive to win while Liverpool have none, so the motivation factor will play a huge part.

And while that is valid to a point as historic data does show that teams with something to play for get better results than those with nothing to play for, the upswing in results is less than 20 per cent across the board. And that is when all opponents are treated as equals. But a final-day home game against, say, relegated Norwich is not equal to a trip to champions Liverpool.

And do Klopp's men really not have anything to play for? They have a 2019-20 unbeaten home record to protect and the preservation of a three-year unbeaten record at Anfield. There is also the manager's relentless demand for perfection, an incentive to maintain performance levels with an unusually short turnaround until next season and an up-and-coming rival to silence.

The motivation may not be material, but be in no doubt that the hosts will be driven to win.

Chelsea showed plenty of quality in their FA Cup semi-final defeat of Manchester United last weekend but a disastrously rejigged Red Devils side played right into their hands at Wembley. Or, in the case of a horribly out-of-form David De Gea, allowed the ball to slip right through his hands.

The fluent Chelsea front line can thrill when firing on all cylinders but they are facing by far the strongest defence in the Premier League.

The Blues' brittle rearguard have shipped two or more goals when visiting Norwich, Bournemouth, West Ham and Crystal Palace, so they are up against it facing Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah as the trio look to sign off in style before the Reds receive the trophy.

Key stat

Chelsea have beaten only Aston Villa and Crystal Palace in their last eight away league games, losing at West Ham and Sheffield United in their last three.

Not got a bet365 account? Sign up today and get up to £100 in bet credits.

Up to £100 in Bet Credits for new customers at bet365. Min deposit £5. Bet Credits available for use upon settlement of bets to value of qualifying deposit. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply.

CLAIM OFFER HERE

MORE FREE BETS

Today's top sports betting stories

Follow us on Twitter @racingpostsport

Like us on Facebook RacingPostSport