First place in Group G is the prize at stake at Stamford Bridge but Chelsea FC manager Jose Mourinho says nothing interests him other than winning Tuesday's game against Liverpool FC.
UEFA Champions League Odds by BODOG Sportsbook
Chelsea -162
Liverpool +400
DRAW +225
The implications of this return fixture with their English rivals are irrelevant, he claims, because it is unclear whether Chelsea's UEFA Champions League ambitions will be best served by finishing first or second in the section. Mourinho and his team are mindful of the fact that having won last season's group by a comfortable margin they were then paired with FC Barcelona in the next round. The Londoners went through after two memorable encounters but it was a close-run thing.
Chelsea has a point to prove against these opponents having lost the 2004/05 semi-final to Liverpool. Liverpool who went on to lift the trophy. That remains a bitter memory and can hardly have consoled them to hear Liverpool midfielder Dietmar Hamann describe the English champions on the eve of this game as "probably the best side in Europe last year".
From the team crowned champions of Europe that is some admission. In domestic football there is no argument about who holds the upper hand with Chelsea coming out on top in their last four meetings, most recently with a 4-1 triumph at Anfield which broke the pattern of tight, hard-fought affairs.
Certainly, no one should expect a glut of goals at Stamford Bridge after Liverpool extended their run of matches without conceding to eight with Saturday's 3-0 defeat of Wigan Athletic FC, a result which took them to third in the Premiership. Chelsea's 1-0 victory over Middlesbrough FC was their fourth in succession without a goal against and maintained a ten-point advantage at the top.
With qualification guaranteed, Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez will rest midfielder Xabi Alonso. This season's Liverpool are a superior outfit to the one that tasted glory in May. Mourinho has no such flexibility: Hernan Crespo, Joe Cole, Claude Makelele and Glen Johnson are all missing through injury, leaving him with only 18 available players.
Prediction: Chelsea may be unstoppable in domestic competition but in Europe, the Liverpool Reds are a tough nut to crack, +400 is a bargain! Still, expect this game to end in a DRAW, not a bad bet at +225.
Did you know that BODOG Sportsbook offers odds on all major soccer (football) tournaments in Europe and South America, as well as the mother of all football tournaments - the FIFA World Cup 2006! BODOG is truly a one stop betting shop - ONE ACCOUNT to bet on sports, casino, poker and horse racing!
UEFA Champions League Odds by BODOG Sportsbook
Chelsea -162
Liverpool +400
DRAW +225
The implications of this return fixture with their English rivals are irrelevant, he claims, because it is unclear whether Chelsea's UEFA Champions League ambitions will be best served by finishing first or second in the section. Mourinho and his team are mindful of the fact that having won last season's group by a comfortable margin they were then paired with FC Barcelona in the next round. The Londoners went through after two memorable encounters but it was a close-run thing.
Chelsea has a point to prove against these opponents having lost the 2004/05 semi-final to Liverpool. Liverpool who went on to lift the trophy. That remains a bitter memory and can hardly have consoled them to hear Liverpool midfielder Dietmar Hamann describe the English champions on the eve of this game as "probably the best side in Europe last year".
From the team crowned champions of Europe that is some admission. In domestic football there is no argument about who holds the upper hand with Chelsea coming out on top in their last four meetings, most recently with a 4-1 triumph at Anfield which broke the pattern of tight, hard-fought affairs.
Certainly, no one should expect a glut of goals at Stamford Bridge after Liverpool extended their run of matches without conceding to eight with Saturday's 3-0 defeat of Wigan Athletic FC, a result which took them to third in the Premiership. Chelsea's 1-0 victory over Middlesbrough FC was their fourth in succession without a goal against and maintained a ten-point advantage at the top.
With qualification guaranteed, Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez will rest midfielder Xabi Alonso. This season's Liverpool are a superior outfit to the one that tasted glory in May. Mourinho has no such flexibility: Hernan Crespo, Joe Cole, Claude Makelele and Glen Johnson are all missing through injury, leaving him with only 18 available players.
Prediction: Chelsea may be unstoppable in domestic competition but in Europe, the Liverpool Reds are a tough nut to crack, +400 is a bargain! Still, expect this game to end in a DRAW, not a bad bet at +225.
Did you know that BODOG Sportsbook offers odds on all major soccer (football) tournaments in Europe and South America, as well as the mother of all football tournaments - the FIFA World Cup 2006! BODOG is truly a one stop betting shop - ONE ACCOUNT to bet on sports, casino, poker and horse racing!
