Betting Update; Liverpool v Arsenal with the bookmakers making the Liverpool their 10/11 favourites

The pick of this midweek's Carling Cup quarter-finals sees seven times winners Liverpool play host to two time victors Arsenal.

[ClickPress, Mon Dec 18 2006] The pair haven't haven't met in a cup competition since Arsenal beat the Reds in the FA Cup 4th round back in 2002, while in this competition's 45 year history the sides have come across each other 12 times, with Liverpool holding the edge with five wins to Arsenal's three.

As always in the Carling Cup when the big boys play it's strongly advised to check the team news of both sides, as this will have a major impact on any bets and value opportunities.

Being away from home and the fact that Arsene Wenger has openly stated the low priority of this competition then the Gunners are expected to make the more significant changes with a whole host of youngsters sure to figure.
Jeremie Aliadiere looks likely to come in up front and with the only big names expected to travel being Theo Walcott, Mathieu Flamini and Philippe Seneros then the 3/1 on offer in the match odds looks very skinny to me.

Liverpool will make similar changes but probably have a bit more strength in depth. Add this to Rafa Benitez's greater desire in this Cup and the fact that the Merseysiders have won this competition twice since the turn of the century, then all bets should point towards a win for them.
In the last round they got the better of Championship leaders Birmingham away from home in a tricky tie, while in the round before they scrapped past Reading 4-3 in a thriller at Anfield.

Of Liverpool's likely changes I expect Robbie Fowler to come in up front for either Dirk Kuyt or Craig Bellamy and with the local legend's unbelievable record over Arsenal and his 30 League Cup goals in 37 appearances then the 9/4 (as short as 6/4) on offer for him to find the net looks cracking value. For more odds visit WWW.EASYODDS.COM?=PR

With all the team re-shuffles then it's best not to rely too much on the current form, but with Arsenal stuttering in the league it's hard to back them with any confidence at present. On the other hand Liverpool are now unbeaten in their last six in the league and have not conceded in their last six home games in all competitions. With this in mind and their excellent home form in these types of games then the 10/11 for a Liverpool win and the 7/5 to keep a clean sheet are both worth a look.

On the back of this good run of form Rafa's men are now up to third in the league and with them being out of the Premiership race and having a tough draw in the Champions League, then this cup could be their best chance of some silverware this campaign.

The last bit of advice is to steer clear of the draw at around 12/5. In a lot of these tight games this is the first reaction that punters take, but with their busy schedules neither side will want extra-time; couple this with the fact that their last 18 head-to-heads have only yielded three stalemates then this further backs up the evidence of a Liverpool win.

Recommended bets:
Liverpool to win (10/11)
Fowler to score (9/4)
Liverpool clean sheet (7/5)

* All prices correct at time of writing.


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