Chris Sutton and Jermain Defoe have predicted how the Carabao Cup final between Mauricio Pochettino’s Chelsea and Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool will pan out.
Premier League rivals Chelsea and Liverpool will contest this final this weekend.
So, what has Chris Sutton said ahead of Chelsea against Liverpool? Let’s take a look.
Liverpool backed to beat Chelsea in Carabao Cup final
Well, Chelsea and Liverpool will lock horns with each other in the final of the Carabao Cup on Sunday.
Chelsea and Liverpool are two of the biggest clubs in the world, and the match this weekend promises to be hugely exciting.
Former Chelsea striker and BBC Sport pundit Chris Sutton has backed the Reds to win, and so has ex-Tottenham Hotspur striker Jermain Defoe.
Sutton told BBC Sport: “I was at Anfield a few weeks ago, when Liverpool absolutely thrashed Chelsea 4-1. To say it was a demolition does not do it justice.
“It was billed then as a dress rehearsal for this final and, when I was thinking about it afterwards, I just thought there is no way you would give the Blues any chance whatsoever based on what happened in that game.
“But then you see Chelsea hold Manchester City last weekend, when they almost held on at 1-0 and, with better finishing, had the chances to go further in front.
“Meanwhile, with Liverpool, there are injury doubts over so many of their forwards, including Mohamed Salah. Is he fit, or not? We don’t know.
“Liverpool were woeful in the first half against Luton on Wednesday, then wonderful after the break. We will have to wait and see which Liverpool turn up, but the same can obviously be said about Chelsea.
“So, the question is whether I am going to end up being hoodwinked by that display against City, or whether the tide really is about to turn for Blues boss Mauricio Pochettino.
“I am not convinced that the latter is the case. As I said at the very start, I was tempted to go with Chelsea… but I have talked myself out of it.
“Sutton’s prediction: 1-2 after extra-time
“Jermain’s prediction: 1-2.”
My View: Liverpool favourites to beat Chelsea
In my opinion, Liverpool are favourites to win against Premier League rivals Chelsea in the final of the Carabao Cup final this weekend.
Liverpool have the better team and are in better form. Moreover, the Reds have played in major finals in recent seasons under manager Jurgen Klopp, who is leaving at the end of the season.
The one issue that Liverpool have at the moment is injury. Mohamed Salah has fatigue and Darwin Nunez may not play.
Trent Alexander-Arnold, Alisson, Diogo Jota, Dominik Szoboszlai, Curtis Jones, Thiago, Joel Matip and Stefan Bajectic all are on the sidelines and will not play against Chelsea. Virgil van Dijk, though, is back to being a rock at the back.
Chelsea have fitness problems of their own. Reece James has a thigh problem and will not play. Thiago Silva could be unavailable as well, and so could Carney Chukwuemeka and Robert Sanchez.
Marc Cucurella, Benoit Badiashile, Wesley Fofana, Lesley Ugochukwu and Romeo Lavia are out.
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