FA Cup Final Preview

Chelsea vs Liverpool - FA Cup Final

Every semi professional and professional team entered the competition, but the teams have been whittled down to just two. Liverpool and Chelsea. Both teams have struggled in the Barclays Premier League, but thrived in the cup competitions. Liverpool will contest their second cup final of the year having already secured the Carling Cup title in February, somewhat unconvincingly on penalties against Cardiff. This is the first cup final of two for Chelsea, who will play Bayern Munich to contest the Champions League final later on in May. But Liverpool will have the slight advantage, having beaten Chelsea on their last 5 meetings, including a 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge in the Carling Cup earlier this year. But this advantage will count for nothing as Chelsea have the ability to end this losing streak and win their 6th FA cup title.

Despite Liverpool being 8th and Chelsea 6th in the league, both teams have earned their place in the final and it is bound to be an epic. I'll look at key players for both sides who have the potential to win the game for their side.



Chelsea: Blue

Liverpool: Red



Frank Lampard has the quality to win the game for Chelsea

Frank Lampard
Super Frank may not have been at his best under AVB, but under Roberto Di Matteo he has been an integral part in a transformed Chelsea side. His goals are vital for Chelsea, and he still has the ability to score the odd wonder goal, as proven against Spurs in the Semi Finals. His experience in the centre of the park is valuable for Chelsea, and he will need to be on his game if Chelsea are going to pose any sort of attacking threat. He will also have an interesting pitch battle with Steven Gerrard, and whoever comes out on top will help their team massively in terms of the final result.

Juan Mata

Mata has been a revelation since arriving from Valencia in the summer, and has been one of a few bright sparks in a gloomy and forgettable domestic season. His craft and creativity will be a huge threat to the Liverpool back line, who will have trouble containing his brilliance. He's been recently played at left wing, but his best position is undoubtedly in the hole just behind the striker. If on form, his creativity means Chelsea will have no trouble infiltrating the Liverpool back line and creating countless opportunities for his team mates.

Didier Drogba

Didier Drogba has the ability to create problems for Liverpool

With Didier you see the good and the bad, but what will you see today? He spent a combined total of 6 and a half minutes on the ground against Barcelona at Stamford Bridge, but still provided the goal which helped them reach the final. His experience and power combined will be a huge problem to Martin Skrtel at the back, who has a tough job in containing the big Ivorian striker. He still possesses the occasional moments of magic, and his presence up front will cause Liverpool huge problems.

Luis Suarez

Luis is a genius. You cannot describe him in any other way. He is possibly the most skilful player in the Barclays Premiership, and his countless nutmegs and incredible agility epitomizes this. Sadly his finishing tends to elude him at times, although his incredible hat trick against Norwich would suggest otherwise. If he has his shooting boots on against Chelsea today, Liverpool have a huge chance of lifting the FA cup final come the final whistle.

Steven Gerrard

Steven Gerrard will need to put in a  'Captain Fantastic'

performance similar to the one against West Ham in 2006

Stevie G is the driving force in the reds midfield, and is the only top quality player left from the Mascherano-Alonso-Gerrard era. He has been Liverpool's best player for roughly the last 10 years, and Liverpool will call on him today to provide the quality he has constantly delivered over this period. He turns 32 at the end of May, and the injuries are taking its toll on his footballing career. Although he is coming to the end of his career, he still possesses great all round ability, and Liverpool will need him to influence the team and bring home their second trophy this season.

Martin Skrtel

The scary Slovakian has been the most consistent player in the Liverpool team this season, and as said above will need to perform today in order to stimulate the threat of Didier Drogba. He is strong and good in the air like Drogba, meaning that individual battle is bound to be fascinating. Him and Agger have looked solid this season, but will have to be at their best one last time this season to ensure their team have a chance in securing the FA cup trophy.

Both teams are evenly poised going into the final later today which makes the final result particularly hard to predict. Even though Liverpool have edged out Chelsea on their last 5 meetings, I see Chelsea ending this streak, with some help via extra time. Nevertheless, the game is bound to be an extremely close game, and with individual quality all over the park, it should be a very good game.

Saturday 5th May, K.O 5:15pm

Liverpool XI (Predicted) - Reina, Enrique, Skrtel, Agger, Johnson, Henderson, Shelvey, Gerrard, Downing, Bellamy, Suarez

Chelsea XI (Predicted) - Cech, Cole, Terry, Ivanovic, Bosingwa, Mikel, Ramires, Lampard, Merieles, Mata, Drogba 

Prediction: Chelsea 2-1 Liverpool (AET)