Chelsea v Liverpool betting tips: FA Cup final preview

They are unbeaten in the Premier League in 2022 and have also reached the Champions League final so it is understandable that they are 21/20 for victory in 90 minutes.

Liverpool have won to nil in 21 of their 26 league victories so a win with a clean sheet may be worth the extra risk at 13/5.

Familiar faces in final

While Liverpool have struggled in the FA Cup in recent seasons – or perhaps not treated it as seriously as others – the same cannot be said of Chelsea.

This is the fifth FA Cup final in six years for the London club and their third in a row but three of their four recent appearances ended in defeat.

Their third #EmiratesFACup final in a row…

Will @ChelseaFC be this year's champions? 🏆

🎨 @B3x_Graphics pic.twitter.com/1PbKapgUbp

— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) May 11, 2022

A 2-1 victory over Manchester United in 2018 was sandwiched by two 2-1 defeats against Arsenal in 2017 and 2020 while last year they were beaten 1-0 by first-time winners Leicester.

This squad is certainly used to coping with the big occasions though, having won the Champions League and European Super Cup in the last 12 months.

Chelsea are 29/20 to lift the trophy on Saturday and 13/5 to win in normal time, while another 2-1 victory in a repeat of the 2012 result is 11/1.

Chelsea v Liverpool head-to-head

Liverpool could end the season with a historic quadruple while this is Chelsea’s last chance to win a domestic trophy but there has been nothing to separate them in three meetings.

Chelsea held on for a 1-1 draw at Anfield in August despite playing the second half with 10 men following the dismissal of Reece James.

Liverpool went 2-0 up in the return match at Stamford Bridge in January but again had to settle for a point as two quickfire goals just before half-time rescued a 2-2 draw for Chelsea.

Chelsea vs Liverpool in a Wembley Final you say? 😏#EFL | #CarabaoCup pic.twitter.com/9ABmA5s2Ho

— Carabao Cup (@Carabao_Cup) April 19, 2022

The Carabao Cup final then finished goalless after extra time and the teams were well matched in the penalty shoot-out too, which Liverpool eventually won 11-10 after a miss by goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga.

A draw after 90 minutes on Saturday is therefore worth considering for Chelsea v Liverpool betting tips at 12/5 while Draw HT/Draw FT at 17/4 is an option for braver punters.

Either team can be backed at 11/1 to win on penalties.

Chelsea back on track with bittersweet win

It has been a difficult season for Chelsea due to the issues surrounding their ownership and expected takeover.

They have failed to keep up with Manchester City and Liverpool in the title race and have lost three of their last eight games as well as being held to two draws.

Thomas Tuchel’s men at least returned to winning ways with a comfortable 3-0 win at 10-man Leeds on Wednesday night but face a very different standard of opposition at Wembley.

The return to form of Romelu Lukaku is a boost at least as his strike at Elland Road made it three goals in two games.

That should secure a starting place in the FA Cup final and he is 7/1 to open the scoring or 15/8 to have three or more shots.

The win at Leeds came at a cost though with Mateo Kovacic suffering an ankle injury after being on the receiving end of a reckless challenge by Dan James, who was sent off.

Kovacic now looks set to miss the final, with Tuchel saying: “He has a swollen ankle and is in a lot of pain.

“I’m not a doctor and we need to wait for the examinations, but it’s very unlikely that he can play. It’s absolutely bad news for us on our perfect evening. If he misses it I’m very disappointed because he was a clear starter.”

FA Cup final team news

As well as the likely absence of Kovacic, fellow Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante is also battling to be fit after a series of niggles, while Callum Hudson-Odoi will miss out through ongoing back trouble.

Midfielder Fabinho has been ruled out of Liverpool’s final three matches of the domestic season with a hamstring injury.

Captain Jordan Henderson will come in and fill the holding role with Thiago Alcantara also likely to return to the starting line-up after being rested for the midweek win over Aston Villa.

Mohamed Salah, a substitute at Villa Park, is set to start up front alongside Sadio Mane and Luis Diaz with left-back Andy Robertson expected to return after being given Tuesday off.

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All odds and markets correct as of date of publication