Chelsea Preview -2nd leg

Looking ahead to the daunting prospect of a revenge seeking Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, Liverpool's prospects of a cup this season are shrinking due to the lack of ability in putting the ball in the back of net. The lack of chances taken at key moments in matches this season is one of the most significant reasons that

Liverpool have failed to reproduce the same level of flair and attacking ability that was such a driving force in Liverpool's run in for the premier league title. The removal of the Uruguayan superstar Luis Suarez was a devastating blow to Liverpool considering his 31 goals during last season, along with the repetitive injuries suffered by Daniel Sturridge.



The first fixture saw Liverpool go 1-0 down to a penalty taken expertly by Eden Hazard. This however was the only time Liverpool were in significant danger as the form they showed after conceding was valiant beyond the majority of fixtures shown from the club this season.

The form going into the second leg is worrying for both teams, Chelsea suffered an embarrassing defeat to low league side Bradford city, after going 2-0 to lose 4-2. The Chelsea side still fielded a relatively strong side with Drogba, Cech, Oscar, Mikel, Cahill and Remy all featuring in the upset. The Bradford club 49 league places below the Premier league favourites shown great character coupled with the loud powerful atmosphere from the travelling Bradford fans who out-roared the Chelsea fans throughout the 90 minutes. Jose Mourinho said in the Daily Mirror before the match that he would be grateful to go out of the FA cup as it is 'impossible' to focus on all four competitions. Not exactly a strong statement for his players and fans to be excited about. Chelsea last won the competition against Liverpool in 2010 narrowly winning 2-1 at Wembley.

The league form between the Merseyside club and London club hands the edge to Liverpool, despite still being in 3 competitions as well as the Premier league top 4 run in. Liverpool clashed with a Bolton side unbeaten in their least season games a  0-0 draw occured.

The new look Bolton side under Neil Lennon featured legends Emile Heskey and champions league winner with Barcelona and former Chelsea favourite Eidur Gudjohnson. The two sides were evenly matched with both sides having limited chances to win the game. Adam Bogdan was commended for his fine save throughout the game much as Thibaut Courtois was in last Tuesday's fixture. The Liverpool team was a relaxed side, with captain Steven Gerrard rested.  Joe Allen returned to fitness alongside Glen Johnson  for the first time since his injury in December. Raheem Sterling was the focal point of the Liverpool side who played without a recognised striker despite having two on the bench in Lambert and Borini. The Liverpool starlet was a tad greedy shooting at a lot of moments when players were in better positions, this however can be expected from the second highest goalscorer for Liverpool this season.

The creativity of Coutinho flowed throughout the game often threading balls to Sterling and Henderson. Tomorrows fixture may be a similar fixture with both Chelsea and Liverpool, probably willing to sit back and defend for the majority of the game. Liverpool however do need a goal to progress through to the final at Wembley where the prospect of either Sheffield United or Totenham beckons.

Liverpool talisman Daniel Sturridge completed his first full team training session since returning from Boston, he is unlikely to feature in the starting 11 tomorrow but is rumored to be considered for the bench. Boss Brendan Rodgers gave no discretion over his delight at having the league's second highest goalscorer last term back available, but left the decision over his return down to Sturridge. "It's up to him" was his response.

 Liverpool will certainly be unlikely to force the injury prone striker to play but the pressure surrounding him is already at a premium. Expect the front man to return for the Bolton fixture next week or West Ham at Anfield this Saturday. Liverpool do now have Adam Lallana back to his peak fitness, Lallana featured briefly during the previous fixture at Anfield where he did very little in terms of what is expected. The £25 million signing from Southampton, had been in and out of the side consistently this season, playing in numerous positions, with the consistency of his regular 11, Rodger's is unlikely to start Lallana more than likely sticking with the same line up used at the first fixture at Anfield.






Predicted Line up 
Mignolet
Sakho, Skrtel, Can
Markovic, Lucas, Henderson, Moreno   
Gerrard
Coutinho Sterling

My Favoured Line up
Mignolet
Sakho, Skrtel, Can, 
Lallana, Lucas, Henderson, Moreno 
Gerrard, Coutinho 
Sterling

Predicted scoreline: With everything on the line for both clubs in terms of pride, I can see this fixture being a very close encounter, Liverpool arguably should of dominated the first fixture but with this fixture taking place on away soil the tie may be turned on it's head. Mourinho already has his fans riled up after praising Anfield's atmosphere, the previous defeat at Bradford with be an extra driving force for the Chelsea team looking to put to bed any raised suspicions regarding their ability. 1-1 with Liverpool winning 4-3 on Penalties.