Chelsea vs Liverpool preview – Semi-Final awaits

The two clubs meet for the second time in ten days, with a place in the Carling Cup semi final is up for grabs for the winner.

In the last meeting the Red got the better of the two teams when they ran out 2-1 winners after old boy Glen Johnson got a late winner.

This game will be the 30^th meeting between the two sides, and both sets of managers are expected to make vast changes from the weekend – especially Liverpool who played Manchester City just 48 hours ago.

Andre Villas-Boas could bring Fernando Torres who has started on the bench in the last four games. John Terry will miss out as he is suspended after getting that controversial booking against Wolves.

Romelu Lukaku, Josh McEachran and Salomon Kalou are expected to start as they have in earlier rounds.

Craig Bellamy is likely to start after being pull out of the line-up on Sunday by Kenny Dalglish. Jamie Carragher is expected play for the first time in over a month, and Andy Carroll could start.

Head-to-Head

Whilst the two teams have met on numerous occasions, they have only done so four times in this competition – both sides have won twice.

The last meeting was back on 19^th December 2007 when the Blues won 2-0 thanks to goals from Frank Lampard an Andrei Shevchenko.

Liverpool’s last win in the League Cup against the Blues was in 2000 when the game went to the extra-time and a Robbie Fowler goal in the 104^th minute meant they went through 2-1 winners.

 Betting

The bookies are going with Chelsea despite losing ten days ago, the Blues are evens whilst Liverpool are 3s.

Fernando Torres is 9/2 to score first whilst youngster Lukaku is 13/2 and Bellamy is an attractive 11s for the away team.

For both teams to score you can get 4/5 and if you fancy there being goals in this game you can get evens on over 2.5 goals.

By Scott Balaam

Twitter @astambridgetoofar