As recently as last week this match was building up to be every bit as big a game as the Manchester derby 'title decider' - which took place with two games left each - in 2012. So it feels a bit anti-climactic now, with everyone knowing that even a Chelsea win is unlikely to give them a genuine chance of the title as it would require collapses from both ourselves and Man City.
So in a way it feels like the pressure is off slightly but I'm sure once the match rolls around it will feel like anything but.
I've no idea whether Mourinho is bluffing regarding this 'resting the first team' stuff, either way we need to take advantage. If he does indeed back up his words by putting out a 'second string team' - which we all know will mostly consist of players who cost the club over £10m, in some cases maybe over £20m - then we should fancy ourselves because we'll have superior players and a coherent team out in comparison to them. If it is a bluff and he fields his strongest available eleven then most of them will hopefully be a bit tired still after the shift they put in at Atletico, and equally hopefully their minds are on their second leg.
Nonetheless I think we control our own destiny in this game. If we play to the level we did in the first half against Man City, or like we have in the other big games this side of 2013/14 then I think we will win. Our players will surely be more motivated than the Chelsea lads and this should play in to our hands. Then again if we don't play too well then we'll drop points, they're obviously far better than the likes of Norwich and West Ham who we have beaten despite off days.
I reckon Rodgers will go with an unchanged line-up, with Sturridge on the bench. Loathe predicting substitutes prior to a game but you would imagine he's likely to replace Lucas at some point in the second half barring any injuries in the first. Great to have him back so soon anyway, I feared the worst when he picked up the injury against City in amongst all the chaos and drama.
Need a big game from Suarez here. Terry and Cahill dealt really well with him back in December, but no Terry on Sunday which should weaken them; they defend much better with him in there, both individually and collectively.
Atmosphere will be bouncing, can't wait. A chance to knock Chelsea out of the title race whilst simultaneously putting ourselves in an incredible position to win it hasn't came around often in recent years, it's up to these players to go out and do the business. If we win this then I think it'll lead us to the holy grail, a draw wouldn't be the end of the world but a defeat would.
Going to be a tight one you'd think, 2-1 Redmen.
Bring it!
