Prediction: Chelsea vs Liverpool

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 8/13

Bookmaker: Bet365

In need of an immediate response after their shock defeat away at Watford over the weekend, Liverpool will turn their attentions back to FA Cup duties when they make the trip to Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night.

Chelsea

Starting with the hosts, dropping more points on the road over the weekend and having to snatch a late equalizer to earn a 2-2 draw at relegation scrappers Bournemouth on Saturday, Chelsea have begun to show some real cause for concern. While Frank Lampard’s youngsters might still hold a three-point buffer from losing their Champions League status, the former Premier League champions have managed to win just one of their last five matches across all competitions. With the mood around Stamford Bridge starting to grow more fragile, the Blues have continued to show some glaring issues at the back. Blown away in West London by Bayern Munich last week in what was a 3-0 drumming, Chelsea have managed to land just a sole clean sheet against Premier League opposition since opening the New Year. Although the former England midfielder might find himself of his most testing period since being appointed the Blues’ boss over the summer, Tuesday’s hosts do hold an eye-catching FA Cup record, particularly on home soil. Chelsea have been beaten in just one of their previous 12 FA Cup fixtures at Stamford Bridge.

Team News

Chelsea remain without top scorer Tammy Abraham because of his ongoing ankle injury.

N’Golo Kante and Christian Pulisic are also still absent, while Andreas Christensen is rated doubtful.

Liverpool

As for the visitors, while Liverpool still might sit within touching distance of lifting their first Premier League title, the Reds saw their confidence take a huge dent in shocking fashion over the weekend. Watching their remarkable unbeaten run come to an abrupt end thanks to a 3-0 hammering away at relegation scrappers Watford on Saturday evening, Jurgen Klopp’s side have shown some signs of fatigue. Including being handed a 1-0 defeat away at Atletico Madrid last week, the Reds also had to come from behind to grab a hard-fought 3-2 win off of another struggler in West Ham. While Klopp had previously elected to give youth their chance in this year’s FA Cup, the former Borussia Dortmund boss is expected to revert to his more senior squad members in midweek. While both Neco Williams and Curtis Jones are likely to be involved at Stamford Bridge, Klopp could be calling for Sadio Mane to lead their charge in West London. After returning from injury a fortnight ago, the Senegal international has two in his last four and has also bagged three goals in as many appearances against Chelsea.

Team News

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp looks set to name a strong side, with Joe Gomez and James Milner both available after missing the defeat at Watford.

Jordan Henderson, Naby Keita, Xherdan Shaqiri and Nathaniel Clyde are all absentees.

Key Factors to Consider

• Including a 2-1 victory at Stamford Bridge earlier in the season, Liverpool have won each of their last three meetings against Tuesday’s hosts.
• Hit with their first Premier League defeat over the weekend, the Reds have now conceded five goals in back-to-back matches against West Ham and Watford.
• Chelsea have managed to win just one of their last five matches across all competitions.
• The Blues have also managed to record just a single clean sheet against Premier League opposition since opening the New Year.
• Four of the last five meetings between Chelsea and Liverpool have seen both teams find the net.

Conclusion

While Chelsea should see Tuesday as a real opportunity capitalize on Liverpool’s woeful weekend in the capital, Frank Lampard’s side have continued to show some cause for concern. Dropping more points away at Bournemouth on Saturday, the Blues have won just one of their last five appearances and the former England midfielder will be hugely concerned by his side’s problems at the back. With four of the last five meetings between the two sides seeing both teams find the net at full-time, we’re backing a similar outcome at Stamford Bridge.

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 8/13

Bookmaker: Bet365