Will there be goals at Anfield?

Little doubt where the big game of the weekend is in the Premiership as Liverpool and Chelsea meet at Anfield for the second time in five days. The two sides shared a goalless draw in the Champions League but it will be interesting to see if either changes their gameplan with three Premiership points on the line.

As the away team, and as the runaway leaders with a maximum 21 points from seven games, the emphasis is not on Chelsea to change a tune which has worked so successfully. The champions have looked virtually unbeatable this term and claims that they have an obligation to entertain are pure sour grapes. Who told AC Milan that they were boring when they were winning the Italian league and Champions League?

The emphasis, therefore is on Liverpool, who though they are tough to beat, which is an admirable quality, have looked short on inspiration in attack this season. The acquisition of Peter Crouch was an interesting one, but the problem with Crouch is that if he is playing, then the urge to boot the ball up to him from defence is sometimes too tough to resist and the midfield is bypassed. Still, Liverpool have conceded just two goals this season and I dare say that Rafael Benitez, their manager, would not be too disappointed if his side walked away with a draw.

Chelsea have won the last two Premiership meetings between the two and Liverpool fans will want revenge for their 1-0 defeat last season, when a deflected Joe Cole strike gave the visitors victory. Of course, Liverpool got their revenge on the way to winning the European Cup, but with just seven points from five games, Liverpool need victory to at least keep alive their already faint hopes of winning the title, and more realistically, a place in the top four and a Champions League berth.

Home advantage
There has not been much between the two sides in recent Anfield contests. Of the last seven Premiership meetings on Liverpool's ground, there has never been more than one goal separating the two sides. What's more, only 13 goals have been scored in those seven matches, at an average of just under two per game.

By all accounts, Liverpool were unlucky not to receive a penalty in their midweek match with Chelsea and though Jose Mourinho's side are flying high at the top of the table, it's still surprising to see Liverpool as big as 9/4 (3.25) with bet365 to win a home match, where their crowd helps them so much. Chelsea are 13/10 (2.30), while the draw is a 2/1 (3.00) chance.

Only two of the past seven Anfield meetings between the two ended in a draw, but the competitiveness of the two sides does make a draw more likely. In fact, a 0-0 draw is a 13/2 (7.50) shot, while a 1-1 is just 5/1 (6.00).