Played
May 5, 2012 5:15 p.m. IST
Wembley Stadium — London
Referee: P. Dowd
Attendance: 89102
May 5, 2012 5:15 p.m. IST
Wembley Stadium — London
Referee: P. Dowd
Attendance: 89102
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| Liverpool | 3.00 | 36.00 | 2.88 | 2.88 | 2.85 | 70.00 | 2.70 |
| Draw | 3.20 | 7.50 | 3.25 | 3.20 | 3.25 | 8.50 | 3.20 |
| Chelsea | 2.38 | 1.06 | 2.62 | 2.75 | 2.60 | 1.01 | 2.70 |
Liverpool - Chelsea Preview: Giants clash for 31st time in eight seasons in FA Cup final
Both sides are hoping to secure two trophies this season despite disappointing league form and will renew an old rivalry to do so in the showpiece climax at Wembley
By George Ankers
Getty Images
| PROBABLE LINEUPS |
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LIVERPOOL
 Reina Johnson, Skrtel, Agger, Enrique Henderson, Shelvey Downing, Gerrard, Bellamy Suarez |
CHELSEA
 Cech Bosingwa, Ivanovic, Terry, Cole Mikel, Meireles Ramires, Lampard, Mata Drogba |
The continued absences of Lucas Leiva (cruciate ligaments) and Charlie Adam (knee) mean that Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish will have to choose between youngsters Jay Spearing and Jonjo Shelvey in central midfield, with the latter's better showing in Tuesday's 1-0 loss to Fulham perhaps enough to secure a starting role.
Luis Suarez was rested for that game but he should return, having hit a hat-trick in his last outing against Norwich City as the main striker, with captain Steven Gerrard set to support him and potential partner Andy Carroll dropping to the bench.
The worry for interim Chelsea boss Roberto Di Matteo will be at centre-back, where David Luiz and Gary Cahill (both hamstring) are serious doubts to be able to partner John Terry at the back. The likelihood is that neither will be risked and Branislav Ivanovic will start alongside the Blues' captain.
Ashley Cole and Frank Lampard should return to the starting line-up after starting the midweek defeat by Newcastle on the bench, while Fernando Torres' recent streak of form, including a hat-trick against QPR on Sunday, may not be enough for him to retain his place ahead of Didier Drogba.
| DID YOU KNOW? |
This will be the 31st occasion in the past eight seasons which these two clubs have met.
- Two goals in this final would see Steven Gerrard overtake Reds manager Kenny Dalglish as the club's joint-fourth most successful FA Cup goalscorer. The Scot's record, held alongside Billy Liddell, stands at 13, though remains some way behind leader Ian Rush on 39.
- Chelsea's Raul Meireles and Fernando Torres, as well as Liverpool's Glen Johnson, are set to face their former sides.
- Chelsea have not beaten Liverpool since May 2010, and have been defeated in each of their last four bouts.
- Since Roberto Di Matteo took over as interim manager, the Blues have lost just two of their 17 games, winning 11 and drawing four.
- Chelsea's last three FA Cup final victories (in 2006-07, 2008-09, and 2009-10) have all involved a goal from Didier Drogba (pictured right).
- Six Blues players have reached double figures in terms of goals scored in all competitions this season, while only Luis Suarez has done so for the Reds.
- The last time that these two sides met, Johnson scored the winner in a 2-1 Premier League triumph for Dalglish's men at Stamford Bridge on November 20.
- These teams will face each other again only three days after this match, as their scheduled league clash was bumped to Tuesday to accommodate the final at Wembley.
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Field Report
Reader's Predictions
Top 3 Predictions
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Liverpool 1-3 Chelsea FC
- 16.94 %
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Liverpool 2-1 Chelsea FC
- 15.56 %
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Liverpool 1-2 Chelsea FC
- 13.03 %
| England - Premier League (EPL) | 21 Apr 2013 | Liverpool 2 - Chelsea FC 2 |
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| England - Premier League (EPL) | 11 Nov 2012 | Chelsea FC 1 - Liverpool 1 |
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| England - Premier League (EPL) | 8 May 2012 | Liverpool 4 - Chelsea FC 1 |
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| England - FA Cup (FA) | 5 May 2012 | Liverpool 1 - Chelsea FC 2 |
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| England - Capital One Cup (League Cup) (CCUP) | 29 Nov 2011 | Chelsea FC 0 - Liverpool 2 |
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Liverpool
   |
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| 19 May 2013 | Liverpool 1 - QPR 0 | EPL |
| 12 May 2013 | Fulham 1 - Liverpool 3 | EPL |
| 5 May 2013 | Liverpool 0 - Everton 0 | EPL |
| 27 Apr 2013 | Newcastle United 0 - Liverpool 6 | EPL |
| 21 Apr 2013 | Liverpool 2 - Chelsea FC 2 | EPL |
Chelsea FC
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| 25 May 2013 | Manchester City 5 - Chelsea FC 3 | FR |
| 24 May 2013 | Chelsea FC 3 - Manchester City 4 | FR |
| 19 May 2013 | Chelsea FC 2 - Everton 1 | EPL |
| 15 May 2013 | Benfica 1 - Chelsea FC 2 | EL |
| 11 May 2013 | Aston Villa 1 - Chelsea FC 2 | EPL |
| Returns: | Liverpool £360.00 |
|
Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 | |
| Returns: | Draw £75.00 |
|
Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 | |
| Returns: | Chelsea £27.50 |
|
Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
| 25 | José Reina Paez | Goalkeeper |
| 2 | Glen Johnson | Defender |
| 5 | Daniel Agger | Defender |
| 37 | Martin Skrtel | Defender |
| 3 | José Enrique | Defender |
| 19 | Stewart Downing | Midfielder |
| 8 | Steven Gerrard | Midfielder |
| 20 | Jay Spearing | Midfielder |
| 14 | Jordan Henderson | Midfielder |
| 7 | Luis Suárez | Striker |
| 39 | Craig Bellamy | Striker |
| 8 | Andy Carroll | Striker |
| 11 | Dirk Kuyt | Striker |
| 23 | Jamie Carragher | Defender |
| 34 | Martin Kelly | Defender |
| 33 | Jonjo Shelvey | Midfielder |
| 11 | Maxi Rodríguez | Midfielder |
| 32 | Doni | Goalkeeper |
| 1 | Petr Cech | Goalkeeper |
| 3 | Ashley Cole | Defender |
| 26 | John Terry | Defender |
| 19 | José Bosingwa | Defender |
| 2 | Branislav Ivanovic | Defender |
| 8 | Frank Lampard | Midfielder |
| 12 | John Obi Mikel | Midfielder |
| 7 | Ramires | Midfielder |
| 12 | Didier Drogba | Striker |
| 21 | Salomon Kalou | Striker |
| 10 | Juan Mata | Striker |
| 14 | Raúl Meireles | Midfielder |
| 15 | Florent Malouda | Midfielder |
| 15 | Daniel Sturridge | Striker |
| 9 | Fernando Torres | Striker |
| 5 | Michael Essien | Midfielder |
| 20 | Paulo Ferreira | Defender |
| 22 | Ross Turnbull | Goalkeeper |
25 
2 
5 
37 
3 
19 
8 
20 
14 
7 
39 
1 
3 
26 
19 
2 
8 
12 
7 
12 
21 
10 
Results
Times In GMT
Live
Final
scheduled
Suspended
Cancelled
Postponed
Match News
Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Danny Hylton Striker Aldershot |
8 | 0 |
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Carlos Tévez Striker Man City |
5 | 0 |
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Scott Rendell Striker Luton Town |
4 | 1 |
|
Marvin Sordell Striker Bolton |
4 | 1 |
|
Demba Ba Striker Chelsea |
4 | 0 |