Your FA Cup Final Build-Up Starts Here! Chelsea v LIVERPOOL

What: 131st FA Cup Final

When: Saturday, May 5, 2012

Where: Wembley Stadium, London

Time: 17:15 p.m. BST/12:15 p.m. ET/9:15 a.m. PT

Referee: Phil Dowd

FA Cup Final Wins: Liverpool 7 (last: 2006); Chelsea 6 (last: 2010)

Liverpool will lock horns with Chelsea for the 3rd time in this season on the 5th of May at Wembley in the 2012 FA Cup Final. The previous two matches played at the Stamford Bridge ended in 1-2 and 0-2 defeat for Chelsea respectively. This time around, this match promises to be a fiery affair as both teams will be looking for nothing less than a victory. For Liverpool a win here would mean a domestic double for them, which would salvage their already faltering campaign. Chelsea would be looking to win this to keep the momentum going their way as they still hunt for the Top 4 finish and the first ever Champions League Trophy.

It will be an interesting first meeting in the FA Cup final between Liverpool, the most successful club in the English football, backed by their rich history and Chelsea, which came into prominence about a decade ago, after Russian Oil Tycoon Roman Abramovich bought the club in 2003 and spent huge amount of money in buying players and coaches alike. It will be a battle of old tradition and history against new wave of rich money spending owners. For so long it has been said that money don’t buy trophies and this match will determine as to how much true the statement is.

Liverpool have beaten all the top teams in cup matches convincingly and keep their best play for one off games where winner takes all and Chelsea on the back of recent resurgence under Roberto Di Matteo looks a team more than capable of winning it. Expect a titanic struggle in midfield, bursts of exceptional skill from the likes of Torres and Suarez and powerful play from Lampard and Gerrard.

KEY PLAYERS:

CHELSEA

Fernando Torres – Torres is back, and Liverpool are going to have to figure out a way to stop him. He’s finally showing the confidence and skill many thought had deserted him, and it’s coming at exactly the right time for the Blues.

Frank Lampard – Midfield has been a problem at times for Chelsea this season and if Lampard can get his fair share of ball in the decider that can only be good news for the likes of Drogba and Torres.

John Terry – The Chelsea skipper has been a stalwart at the back for so long. Strong over the ball and in the air, his leadership and direction is crucial to the Blues. Expect him to be in the thick of the action if things get heated.

LIVERPOOL

Luis Suarez – Suarez had a hatter of his own this weekend and the controversial Uruguayan striker is eager to put everything behind him. Coming off a big game that broke an arid spell, Suarez can create and score and if Stevie G is around then things will only get better for the Uruguayan.

Steven Gerrard – Liverpool skipper is back on the same stage again, six years after he lead his side to the famous comeback against West Ham United. His delivery, ability to score and big-game performances will ensure some anxiety among the Blues’ camp.

Daniel Agger – When Agger is in, he’s often the best defender on the pitch. When he’s not, Liverpool struggle to clear their lines and can look flustered. He will play a major role in anchoring the defence against the Blues.
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Chelsea’s Route to the Final

Chelsea kicked off with a 4-0 victory in the third round against Portsmouth before winning the local derby away at QPR 1-0. Then Birmingham City held Chelsea to a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge however two second-half goals in the replay at St Andrews saw Chelsea through 2-0. Any residue complacency from playing Championship sides had clearly been wiped away as Chelsea stuffed Leicester City 5-2 in the quarter-finals. And they then went on the rampage in the semi-finals, destroying Tottenham Hotspur 5-1, in a match that had its share of controversies.

Liverpool’s Route to the Final

Liverpool started off the campaign with a 5-1 thrashing of Oldham Athletic in round three before claiming the scalp of Manchester United with a 2-1 win at Anfield. Another thrashing took place in the fifth round, where Brighton & Hove Albion were on the wrong end of a 6-1 scoreline. Liverpool beat Stoke City 2-1 in the quarter-finals. The semi-final saw them overcome local rivals Everton 2-1; a late goal by Andy Carroll securing the win.

It’s not been a great season for King Kenny. He is coming under increasing pressure from ambitious American owners Fenway Sports Group, and despite the Scot’s heroics on the field for the club; he is not exempt from criticism and possible questions over his position. His tactical management has been questioned time and again. He needs to win this Cup to put something of a gloss on this season. A win in the final would somewhat satisfy the Kop faithful after below par performance in the league this year.

Chelsea have see their fortunes change since the sacking of Andre Villas Boas, and now look like a more dangerous outfit under Roberto Di Matteo. The team is in the Champions League final after knocking out Barcelona, and their record speaks for itself: 17 games, only two losses. Di Matteo’s got the tactics right, the players look ten years younger and he’s not losing games. He got the once-tanking Blues favourites on Saturday.

This should be a close game between two evenly-matched sides. The game has the ability to salvage some pride for either side, and could well play a major part in deciding the fate of both teams’ managers. Given the recent run of form Chelsea looks clear favourite to win this one, however looking at Liverpool’s form against them in the recent past I will still go for a Liverpool win. It will be intense, but will not be a high scoring match; I do however see Liverpool winning it 2-1.

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