ARSENAL v LIVERPOOL
Carling Cup 4th Round
The Emirates, Wednesday October 28th
Kickoff 19.45
You can take your form books, detailed statistical data, trends and opinions and throw them out of your window. Nothing matters when it comes to any of the top four sides in the Premier League meeting in the League Cup. This competition has become a playground for top managers to trial fringe and youth players, giving the cup a ‘reserve’ feel about it.
Manchester United won this competition last year, beating Spurs on penalties in the final. United fielded a mix of youth/fringe players and established first-teamers that day. Their squad got subtly stronger as their cup run gathered momentum while Spurs’ team was at virtual full-strength. Some would argue that the treatment of the cup’s importance in the eyes of the top clubs’ managers would make a case for the allowance of reserve teams to play in a competitive division like the BlueSq Premier or equivalent and let their teams earn promotion or relegation on merit.
However, that’s another day’s article.
TEAMS
What makes betting in this punters’ graveyard of a match, it is impossible to predict who will take the field for both sides. We do not know how seriously the clubs are taking the competition.
Perhaps the only certainty is that Alberto Aquilani will make his debut for Liverpool after successfully playing for 15 minutes for the reserves last week. The only other certainties are that Steven Gerrard will not play or Javier Mascherano due to suspension.
On the Arsenal front, it is rumoured that Nasri and Fabianski could play their first appearances of the season. Wenger is expected to name his usual youthful side for this 4th round tie, along with a couple of more experienced players like Silvestre and Senderos.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
The sides last met in this competition two years ago when a free-scoring Arsenal team, led by four-goal hero Julio Baptiste, ran out 6-3 winners in what was a remarkably open game. For the record, Liverpool’s front line consisted of Fowler and Bellamy on that night while Baptiste and Aliadiere led Arsenal’s forwards.
That game was the last time that Arsenal have beaten Liverpool. Since then Liverpool have beaten Arsenal twice and there have been four draws. This, however, is a different ball game in a different sphere completely.
VERDICT
There have been plenty of goals in the last 10 meetings between the Gunners and Liverpool. Some 43 goals have been scored, making an average of 4.3 goals per game.
With the likelihood being that Liverpool will play their reserve goalkeeper and probably a makeshift back four, goals look probable, and lots of them.
Arsenal are a terrific side going forward, they will be well-drilled by Wenger to pass and break with the speed which caught Liverpool so many times over the past couple of years. Arsenal are odds against at home, which is a rare enough occurrence in itself. Gooners should take advantage.
Nevertheless, Liverpool will be no attacking slouches with the likes of Voronin, Babel and Ngog all likely to feature and all are capable of a match-winning performance on their day.
Expect goals in this fixture. Or, to put it another way, don’t back a scoreless draw.
RECOMMENDED
ARSENAL to win 2.2 BETFAIR
OVER 2.5 GOALS 1.96 BETFAIR
***Please bet responsibly. Only bet with money that you can afford to lose — not your food kitty or rent/mortgage***
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