Premier League / Richard Walker / 24 October 2008 / 1 Comments

It's not often that the absence of one single player can by itself affect the outcome of a match but Fernando Torres really is that good and his absence may be the key to a Frank Lampard-inspired Chelsea win, says Richard Walker.

Despite their regular over-hype, this is one 'Big Four' fixture that really is all set to complement your roast dinner this Sunday lunch-time.

Of that much-vaunted four, these two have probably been the most consistent pair this season - and, from where I'm sat, of these two Chelsea seem to have that extra edge about their game.

Fernando Torres looks set to miss this one through injury and I feel that changes the complexion of the match to a point where it actually affects my likely selections. Not saying he'd have won it for Liverpool but I believe Big Phil's Blues will take heart from the fact the visitor's threat will be inevitably diminished.

And gone are the days, it would seem, when Chelsea couldn't put together a winning run without Didier Drogba. The big Ivorian has missed much of this season but have they missed him? Well, if so, they haven't shown it. There simply seems to be more of a team ethos prevailing, a different style not so reliant on his undoubted physical presence.

At a fraction short of evens, the [1.99] to back Chelsea, I'll be honest, looks a temptation difficult to resist. I suppose if you're less sure then lay Liverpool to a [5.1] liability but do you need to do that? Well only if you're not sure - but the argument, for me, stacks up nicely in favour of the hosts.

As Tommy Mooney alluded to in his blog earlier this week, it may well be more open than a normal encounter since both sides come into it off the back of European matches. I don't see that manifesting itself until the second half, however, so avail of The Draw at [2.18] in the Half Time market. Following that trend, Draw/Chelsea in the Half-Time/Full-Time list would return around [5.4] when backed and should be included.

Incidentally, Draw/Draw is [5.1] and might provide you with a sensible cover staking option.

As for goalscorers, without the main protagonists for either side, Frank Lampard hoves into view. He's unlikely to be much more than around [3.5] to back as an Anytime Goalscorer but I can see him popping up with a set-piece or getting on the end of some loose change in the Liverpool area.

Robbie Keane's likely to be a point further adrift, as he's with the visitors, but merits inclusion on the back of his morale-boosting midweek strike if he does recover from a knock he picked up in Madrid on the night.

To be certain about your decisions in the Over/Under 2.5 goals market, you first have to resolve in your mind if you think it'll be an open affair or one of those cagey tactical affairs dictated by the sometimes over-wary Rafa Benitez. Overs is [2.42] to back with Unders at [1.68]. Those in Betfairland seem convinced of a tight affair but don't be surprised if this one has a few thrills and spills and I'm inclined to agree with Ed Nicholson's view that it may prove profitable to go against the grain here and side with overs. Scolari doesn't do cautious.