Premier League odds & free tips for Liverpool vs. Chelsea

THE pick of this weekend’s English Premier League games features two teams that have run into some very decent form.

Since their 4-1 mauling at the hands of Tottenham Hotspur a month ago, Liverpool have strung together three strong wins to rejoin the hunt for a top-four finish.

The most promising aspect of that streak is that the Reds have conceded only one goal while netting 10 of their own.

However, that defensive improvement was rather undercut in midweek as they gave up a three-goal lead against Sevilla in the UEFA Champions League.

There are no issues at the other end of the park, where Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane and Philippe Countinho form one of the EPL’s most formidable attacking units.

Chelsea have big weapons of their own, with Spanish striker Alvaro Morata enjoying a fine debut season and Belgian superstar Eden Hazard back to his best.

But perhaps the most important piece in Antonio Conte’s puzzle is midfield monster N’Golo Kante, whose return from injury has coincided with significant improvement in the team’s overall output.

The Blues have now won four Premier League games on the bounce, the latest of which was a 4-0 masterclass against West Bromwich Albion at The Hawthorns.

Chelsea will need to buck a trend if they hope to make it five wins in a row, as they have not beaten Liverpool in seven meetings across all competitions.

Mohamed Salah goalscorer odds

• Salah scores/Liverpool win – $4.20 at Sportsbet
• First goalscorer – $6.20 at CrownBet
• To score exactly two goals – $9.50 at Ladbrokes

This guy could hardly get a run during his short stint at Chelsea a few years ago.

Now, after a spell in Italy, he is one of the Premier League’s most frightening forwards.

Raw pace and perfect timing make Salah a nightmare for any defender, and it speaks volumes that he has surpassed the likes of Coutinho and Mane to become Liverpool’s biggest threat.

The Egyptian already has nine goals this season, and it would be no surprise to see him dob one or two more against his old mob.

Eden Hazard betting specials

• First Chelsea goalscorer – $5 at CrownBet
• Hazard score/Chelsea win – $7 at Sportsbet
• To score a hat-trick – $101 at CrownBet

Morata has earned plaudits aplenty this season, and deservedly so, but Hazard is one of those rare players who can turn a match on his own.

He is also one of those players who can find another level when the red mist descends.

West Brom found that out the hard way last week when the Belgian went into overdrive following a nasty challenge from Gareth Barry.

Hazard was best on ground in that win and finished the game with a brace, so Liverpool’s players and fans would do well not to get under his skin.

Liverpool vs. Chelsea match prediction

Any game involving the red half of Merseyside is a tough one to tip.

For while Liverpool’s best is very, very good, their ability to concede bulk goals from winning positions is absolutely legendary.

That said, their back line has looked much more solid in recent weeks – with the obvious exception of the Sevilla debacle.

Chelsea can also be soft in defence at times, but their attack is every bit as dangerous as Liverpool’s when Morata leads the line.

Seven of the last 12 games between these two have ended in draws, so that’s where the sensible money is.

Match drawn – $3.60 at Sportsbet