Carling Cup Preview - Chelsea v Liverpool

Cup competitions often throw up unexpected thrills, yet few matches within this competition will be as exciting as tonight, when Chelsea take on Liverpool at Stamford Bridge. This match could produce moments of pure magic.

Chelsea will be fuming after losing to Arsenal only two day's ago, but here they find a great opportunity for bragging rights over a lackluster Liverpool side that is missing its leader and inspiration. Chelsea has played a no-frills game as of late, but they may decide to unleash the considerable attacking threat they possess. They will have to do so without integral players with John Terry and Didier Drogba who are still missing through injuries, although the team will be buoyed with news that defensive brick Ricardo Cavarlho and the creative German Michael Ballack will be back after extended lay-offs due to injury. Andriy Shevchenko has re-gathered some scoring form of late and partnered with the lightening fast Solomon Kalou, could cause Liverpool some troubles up front. It is in the midfield where Chelsea will possess most of its threat, with Frank Lampard, Joe Cole and Shaun Wright-Phillips all in frightening form.

Liverpool had been in dazzling form until they lost to intense rivals Manchester United in a bitter dogfight on the weekend. It was an important game for the Reds and Rafa Benitez was hoping to win to keep the rumor of discontent within the management at bay. A win in the Carling cup will not completely clear the vultures, but any victory over high-class opposition such as Chelsea will keep him in good stead. Influential captain Steven Gerrard's on field leadership will be missed, as he is unavailable with a stomach bug. Xabi Alonso could return after a 10 match absence because of a metatarsal injury, while key defensive players Steve Finnan and Daniel Agger are doubtful. Liverpool needs to at least break even in the midfield battle, where Harry Kewell and Xabi Alonso are both capable of lighting up matches with moments of magic and well placed passing. Fernando Torres possesses the main attacking, ably supported with either Dirk Kuyt or Andriy Voronin.

This will be a war of attrition, with either team capable of taking it up to the other. Chelsea at home is a formidable opponent, and I can't see them losing to Liverpool without Steven Gerrard. You can find odds of $2.00 for the home side at PartyBets.

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