Champions League: Liverpool odds favourite against Chelsea

Champions League: Liverpool odds favourite against Chelsea One day away from the first leg of the UEFA Champions League semi-final game Liverpool v Chelsea and the odds are ripe for the punters today. The last time we looked into the odds offered by the British-licensed online bookmaker Bet 365 (official website) on the semi-final Champions-League game, Liverpool were 2.30 odds favourite to win the first leg, while Chelsea were 3.10 underdog to win the Tuesday's football game. Not much has changed since, but the Blue's fans bettors would be happy to learn that the odds on Chelsea to beat Liverpool in the first leg semi-final have been slightly lengthened and now Chelsea is paying out on odds 3.50, increasing the possible win if the Blues win the Champions League match tomorrow.

There is a good reason for lengthening the odds on Chelsea to beat the Reds - after suffering a neck injury, Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard has been cleared for the game against the Blues on Tuesday. Meanwhile Chelsea striker Didier Drogba remains doubtful with a knee injury, goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini is out for the all-English Champions League semi-final, but Frank Lampard will be back with the Blues after missing the past two games on compassionate leave because his mother is ill with pneumonia. Chelsea's Michael Essien is suspended for this match, while Liverpool's Steven Gerrard, Jamie Carragher and Fabio Aurelio have to be extra careful - they will be suspended for the second leg if shown a yellow card.

A few things to keep in mind for the Liverpool v Chelsea Champions League semi-final: although the two squads have met 150 times in major competitions and the Reds lead the record with 58 wins to 44 and 28 draws, since Rafael Benitez took over as Liverpool manager (04/05 season) the reds have met Chelsea 18 times, losing 8 of these games and wining just five. This season Liverpool and Chelsea draw twice (1-1 and 0-0), but the Blues won the Carling Cup quarter-final 2-0 at Stamford Bridge with goals from Lampard and Shevchenko. Also keep in mind that Liverpool are undefeated in seven matches in the Champions League, while Chelsea has lost just one of their last 10 Champions League games.

The first leg of the UEFA Champions League semi-final game Liverpool v Chelsea will start on Tuesday, April 22nd, kick-off time is 19:45 BST. Live online betting on the Champions League matches is available at Bet 365 (UK and EU residents only).

Published on 04/21/2008