Chelsea v Liverpool
The highly anticipated FA Cup Final has arrived with two big English clubs going head-to-head at the Mecca of English football, Wembley Stadium. Both Chelsea and Liverpool have all to play for having invested a lot of money in players this season in an attempt to bring-in trophies. Liverpool lie fourth in the FA Cup winners standings, with six, behind Manchester United (11), Arsenal (10) and Tottenham (8). While Chelsea lie sixth, having won this competition six times, three of which were won after Liverpool’s last FA Cup success in 2006.
Just five days after sealing a spot in the Champions League Final with an amazing comeback at Barcelona, the Blues battered QPR 6-1 to boost their bid to qualify for next season’s competition. It moved them within a point of a top-four spot in the Premier League ahead of Wednesday’s clash with Newcastle. Daniel Sturridge got Chelsea off to the perfect start with a goal in 45 seconds and Nou Camp sinner John Terry made it 2-0 with a 13th-minute header. Fernando Torres then followed up his heroics in Spain with a hat-trick before Florent Malouda made it 6-0 and Djibril Cisse fired a late consolation goal. Chelsea’s road to the final was a fairly easy one, made difficult setting up a replay against Birmingham in the fifth round. However, they showed their intentions beating Tottenham 5-1 in the semi-final. Ramires and Mata have proved vital in the midfield for Chelsea and manager Roberto Di Matteo will be hoping they take control of the midfield early on. Chelsea’s keeper Peter Cech, like a number of his team-mates, is back to his very best. Against Barcelona, the Czech was immense, while against QPR he showed the same steely determination and class that has made him one of the world’s best for so long. An interesting statistic is that Cech has the best record of any regular Premier League keeper this season when facing shots from outside the area. He has a 95.6% saves-to-shots ratio.
Liverpool have the chance to put a dismal league campaign behind them by adding the FA Cup to the League Cup they have already won at Wembley this season. Luis Suarez was simply sensational in scoring a hat-trick as he ripped Norwich to shreds with the help of Steven Gerrard. It was the display and result Liverpool have been threatening in the Premier League. And a flashback of the England midfielder’s telepathic understanding with another Spanish-speaking striker. The Reds now lie eighth on the log, 12 points behind Chelsea in what has been a frustrating season with them unable to unlock opposing defences enough or hitting the bar more times than any other Premier League club. Liverpool reached the final after some favourable home draws and also beating Manchester United 2-1 at Anfield. Goals courtesy of Luis Surez and Andy Carroll, who have both scored 3 each in the competition so far, earned Liverpool a 2-1 win over derby rivals Everton in the semi-finals at Wembley.
Liverpool have amazingly beaten Chelsea in the last 4 meetings between the clubs, with two of the wins coming this season both at Stamford Bridge in the league and quarter final of the League Cup. On form, Di Matteo’s revitalised Chelsea team look favourites however, Liverpool have shown they have the ability to rise to the big occasion, especially in cup competitions and are tipped for their eighth FA Cup win.
