Some may consider our Champions League final to fall into the category but technically, tonight at Anfield is the last away match of the season. Club historian Rick Glanvill and club statistician Paul Dutton move their focus from north-west London to north-west England.

The 32nd meeting between Chelsea and Liverpool in eight years is also the second in four days. We all know what happened in the most recent one; some of us even have a hangover as a reminder.

The FA Cup champions are now in the unique position of travelling to the home of the runners-up straight afterwards and needing to win - anything but that outcome would put a top four finish beyond the club's reach.

The difference in morale in the respective dressing rooms following Saturday's result will not score any goals, but it should provide a small advantage. It certainly beats arriving on an empty stomach.

And Chelsea need help this season with our little north-west problem. The Blues have already been defeated at Goodison Park, Old Trafford and most recently the Etihad Stadium.

In truth, though, Anfield has not been much of a fortress recently. Liverpool have only the 13th best home record in the Premier, with nine draws in 18 games. They have managed just one win (over Everton) in their last six, with a draw against Villa and losses to Arsenal, Wigan, West Brom and Fulham. Also Liverpool have lost 10 of their 17 Barclays Premier League matches in 2012. Only relegated Wolves have lost more.

One potential problem has been overcome by the FA Cup victory. As a result of a 2010 Uefa ruling that kicks in next season, the Blues will now be pencilled directly into the group stage of the Europa League as FA Cup winners.

There will be no early qualifying rounds, no foreshortening of the sunshine and beach mats. That will be especially welcome after a summer of international competitions and a USA tour.

The only change possible to the timetable would be in the competition name. Chelsea can still make it into the Champions League by winning the final or finishing in the top four of the Premier League.

It requires a remarkable set of results, but third slot is still an outside possibility.

A win tonight would put the Blues on 64 points, one behind Newcastle, two behind Tottenham and three behind Arsenal in third, with a roughly similar goal difference to the last two. (The Magpies' is vastly inferior).

For the final matches on Sunday, Chelsea host Blackburn, Spurs are at home to Fulham, Newcastle travel to Everton and Arsenal visit WBA. Chelsea have that final in Munich to consider too, of course. Will Roberto Di Matteo be tempted to rest key personnel for that ultimate European prize?

Chelsea made history at the weekend. The four wins in six years is the most frequent success rate since Rorke's Drift was relieved in 1879. Before then Wanderers won five in seven - although they were actually given a bye to the final of their second success.

Petr Cech is now the most successful goalie in FA Cup finals history - producing arguably its greatest ever save too - and Ashley Cole extended his personal tally to seven (four with Chelsea, three with Arsenal). The left-back now has as many victories in the final as Liverpool - as, indeed, have Chelsea.

Chelsea are looking to reach double figures in wins at the Liverpool ground.

Kenny Dalglish has to raise the spirits of his side following that demoralising defeat at Wembley. Liverpool's maximum possible league points total is now 55. Since 1981 (when teams first earned three points for a win) only the 1998/99 season under Gerard Houllier has produced a lower total than that: 54.


- Match preview by chelseafc.com