Chelsea vs Liverpool: FA Cup final preview

Can Chelsea seek revenge for their League Cup shoot-out loss to Liverpool and secure a ninth FA Cup title? Read on to inform your predictions on the 2022 FA Cup final on Saturday 14 May.

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Chelsea and Liverpool meet for the fourth time in the 2021/2022 season – the rivalry feels reminiscent of the heyday when the pair met in a two-legged Champions League semi-final, the League Cup Final, and an FA Cup semi-final between calendar years of 2005 and 2006.

The pair have played out two draws in the Premier League this season, while Liverpool won February’s League Cup final 11-10 on penalties. Can Chelsea gain the advantage this time around and secure their ninth FA Cup title?

Date/time: Saturday, May 14, 2022 – 16:45PM

Venue:Wembley Stadium, London

Chelsea vs Liverpool: predicted line-ups

Chelsea - GK: Edouard Mendy, RWB: Reece James, CB: Cesar Azpilicueta, CB: Thiago Silva, CB:Antonio Rudiger, LWB: Marcos Alonso; CM: Jorginho, CM: N’golo Kante, AM: Mason Mount; FW: Kai Havertz, FW: Timo Werner

Liverpool – GK: Alisson, RB: Trent Alexander-Arnold, CB: Virgil van Dijk, CB: Joel Matip, LB: Andrew Robertson; CM: Jordan Henderson, CM: Fabinho, CM: Thiago Alcantara; RW: Mo Salah, FW: Sadio Mane, LW: Luis Diaz

FA Cup Final: a closer look at the odds

Pinnacle’s odds suggest Liverpool are the slight favourites at 2.020* as the Reds continue to fight on all fronts. Having also made the Champions League final, they will have played in every match possible this campaign.

Jurgen Klopp is the first manager to reach the League Cup final, FA Cup final, and a Champions League final in the same season. But after Chelsea spoiled Manchester City’s Champions League hopes in 2021, Thomas Tuchel’s side are 3.730* to do the same to Liverpool here in the FA Cup. A draw after 90 minutes is at 3.460*.

History shows this could be a cagey affair with under 1.25 goals at half time at 1.588*. However, the two clubs have scored 27 goals combined in this season’s competition, so over 2.75 goals by full time is at 2.140*.

FA Cup head-to-head record

The two clubs have faced each other only three times in the FA Cup since 2000. Chelsea hold the slight edge, having beaten Liverpool in the 2012 final and in the fifth round in 2020. Liverpool beat the Blues in the 2006 semi-final – and that was the last time they won the FA Cup after defeating West Ham United in the final.

Chelsea last claimed the trophy in 2018, beating Manchester United, and have won the cup on eight occasions. They could move to third on the all-time list with victory, with only Arsenal (14) and Man United (12) above.

This is the first time Liverpool have made the final under Jurgen Klopp, having never made it beyond the quarter-final stage under the German manager beforehand.

FA Cup final: Who has the edge?

The two clubs’ supreme strength in depth may come into play here – since the 2015 FA Cup final, three substitutes have come on to score in the match.However, at the time of writing, it appears Liverpool’s array of options could be slightly more influential. Takumi Minamino has scored three goals in his four FA Cup appearances, with Diogo Jota notching two goals in four appearances.

Klopp has used his forward options to great effect this season, to ignite some impetus when required. Squad players like Minamino or Divock Origi could prove decisive if the match goes into extra-time.

Romelu Lukaku has failed to hold down a regular starting spot at Chelsea this season but does have three goals in five FA Cup appearances this season. If the match is finely-poised, the Belgian could be a great option to help stretch the play into a counter-attacking game.

Recent form suggests that Liverpool will find a way to win, as they are undefeated since a 1-0 loss to Leicester City on December 28.Speaking of Leicester, they were the triumphant underdogs (23.3%) to beat Chelsea in the 2020/2021 final. Tuchel’s team are the outsiders this year, but if he can use his squad effectively then Chelsea have the attacking quality to disrupt Liverpool’s flow.

Make your FA Cup final predictions and bet with Pinnacle here.

*Odds subject to change

 

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