Chelsea hoping to close in Manchester duo

Chelsea play host to Liverpool on Sunday and are a top priced 1.91 to see off their Merseyside rivals and bag a vital three points to keep tabs on the league leaders.

That price is probably short enough given that Liverpool have won this fixture in two of the past three seasons, but the Merseysiders come into this on the back of a poor 0-0 draw against Swansea and the Blues are far more formidable opponents who should prove too strong for Kenny Dalglish’s men.

Since the arrival of Andre Villas-Boas the emphasis has been on attacking and that has costly Chelsea dear in games against Man United and Arsenal.

They will definitely have to tighten up the defence with the likes of Luiz Suarez in town, but if they have scored 15 times in five home games so far this season and that is without the Blues’ forwards firing on all cylinders.

Brazilian midfielder Ramires is the man in form for Chelsea at the moment, and has scored four times in the last seven matches since being given licence by the gaffer to get forward at every possible occasion.

He looks likely to play a key role if Chelsea are to come out in what promises to be a really tight fought affair, and at a massive looking 17 with bet365 looks overpriced to break the deadlock and net the opener.

Indeed, given his current goals per game ratio he also looks too big at the 6 with bet365 to net anytime during the 90 minutes as many firms go just 4.33.

The stats reveal that Chelsea have failed to score in five of their last seven Premier League games against Liverpool and three of the last four at home.

However I can’t see them failing to get on the score sheet on Sunday, and fancy them to register a 2-1 victory.

That score can be backed at 8.5 with bet365, whilst both teams to score also looks a decent punt at 1.8 with Betfred.