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Chelsea travel to Anfield to face Liverpool in Premier League Matchweek 36 on Saturday, May 9, 2026. Kickoff is set for 7:30 AM ET, and this is a huge late-season spot for both clubs, even if the pressure looks very different on each side.
Liverpool enter fourth in the Premier League table and still need points to protect their Champions League position. Arne Slot’s side had won three straight league matches before losing to Manchester United, so this is a clear response spot at home.
Chelsea are ninth and come in with a much uglier form profile. The Blues have lost six straight Premier League matches, they are out of the top-five race, and they also have an FA Cup final against Manchester City coming next. That makes this awkward. Chelsea need confidence, but Liverpool need the points more.
Chelsea vs Liverpool Odds
These are the current 3-way betting lines for this Premier League matchup, and bettors should always monitor the latest soccer odds before placing a wager.
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chelsea | +240 | +0.5 (-110) | O 3.5 (+104) |
| Draw | +240 | Not provided | Not provided |
| Liverpool | -119 | -0.5 (-110) | U 3.5 (-130) |
Go Inside the Handicappers’ Playbook
All in one spot. Real-time line moves, sharp reads, and verified edges.
Chelsea Betting Form
Chelsea are in a bad run, and it is not just about results. The attack has looked disconnected, the wide-player depth is thin, and the defensive structure keeps putting the back line into difficult recovery situations. Losing six straight league matches this late in the season changes the feel around the team. Bettors notice that, and so does the market.
Cole Palmer still gives Chelsea a real creative hub, and Enzo Fernández can help them progress through midfield if Liverpool’s press is not sharp. João Pedro and Liam Delap also give them different ways to attack the box, but Chelsea’s lack of natural wide options makes them easier to compress. If they cannot stretch Liverpool horizontally, they may end up forcing too many central attacks into traffic.
From a betting angle, Chelsea are hard to trust on the 3-way moneyline. The price looks tempting at first, but the form and injury profile make it difficult. Chelsea +0.5 has more logic if you expect them to sit deeper and counter, though even that requires a cleaner defensive performance than they have shown recently.
Liverpool Betting Form
Liverpool are not exactly flying, but this is still the better side in the better spot. At Anfield, with Champions League qualification still not fully locked up, Liverpool should bring more urgency than Chelsea. Their home form has been strong enough to justify favorite status, and the matchup fits if they can control the middle third.
The key question is availability. Mohamed Salah and Alisson Becker have been dealing with fitness concerns, Alexander Isak has been working back from a minor issue, and Giorgi Mamardashvili could be involved if needed. That creates a little uncertainty, but Liverpool still have enough attacking quality through Dominik Szoboszlai, Cody Gakpo, Luis Díaz, Curtis Jones and Ryan Gravenberch to create chances.
The betting case for Liverpool is straightforward. They need the result, they are at home, and Chelsea arrive with confidence issues. The only hesitation is price. Liverpool are favored, but not priced like an automatic home winner, which makes the moneyline more reasonable than it might look at first.
Chelsea vs Liverpool Matchup Breakdown
This match should be shaped by Liverpool’s pressure against Chelsea’s ability to play through midfield. If Liverpool press cleanly, Chelsea could struggle to get Palmer and Fernández facing forward. That would force the visitors into longer passes, where Liverpool’s center backs should have the edge.
Chelsea’s best path is transition. Liverpool can leave space behind the fullbacks, and if Chelsea can get runners into those channels, there are chances to test the home defense. The problem is that Chelsea’s winger crisis limits their natural width. That makes the attack feel a little improvised, which is not ideal at Anfield.
Set pieces matter too. Liverpool have size, delivery quality, and enough second-ball pressure to create danger. Chelsea have conceded too many avoidable chances during this losing run, and a dead-ball goal would not surprise me. For bettors thinking through the side, handicap and total markets, the soccer betting guide is useful because this is one of those games where motivation and lineup context matter as much as raw club reputation.
The total is interesting. Chelsea’s defensive form points toward goals, but Liverpool’s injuries and Chelsea’s attacking absences make Over 3.5 a little ambitious. I would rather look at Liverpool to win than ask both sides to help clear a high number.
Chelsea vs Liverpool Predictions and Best Bets
I lean Liverpool on the moneyline. The price is not too heavy, and the matchup sets up well enough for the home side. Chelsea have individual quality, but their form is bad, the squad balance is off, and this is a tough place to fix things.
Liverpool should control more territory and create the better shot volume. I do not think this needs to be a blowout. A 2-0 or 2-1 type of match feels more realistic than a wild four-goal shootout, especially with Chelsea likely trying to manage risk before the FA Cup final.
For the total, I lean Under 3.5. The market has already priced in Liverpool’s attacking edge and Chelsea’s defensive issues, but I am not convinced Chelsea offer enough going forward to push this into a high-scoring match. Liverpool can win without the game getting loose.
BTTS is a maybe, not a priority. Chelsea have enough talent to find one moment, but the form makes it hard to rely on them. The stronger value sits with Liverpool to handle the spot at home and take another step toward securing Champions League qualification.
Best Bet: Liverpool Moneyline (-119).
Premier League Picks and Handicappers on ScoresAndStats
Late-season Premier League betting is not only about who has the better squad. Motivation, injuries, rotation and table pressure all matter. This match checks all of those boxes, which is why bettors can compare more angles through Premier League picks and the broader board of today’s soccer picks.
ScoresAndStats also helps bettors compare experts instead of relying on one opinion. You can review top sports handicappers, track results on the handicapper leaderboard, and see which experts fit different league and market styles.
For bettors who want stronger positions before kickoff, premium soccer picks can help identify expert plays with tracked records.
