The Carabao Cup Fourth Round comes to a stunning conclusion on Thursday evening, with a titanic battle between those two old foes, Manchester City and Liverpool. We’ve previewed this fixture for you and provided you with our best suggested bets.
Manchester City vs Liverpool Tips
Now that the little matter of the winter World Cup is all settled, we can move back onto the serious stuff. Namely, Thursday night football for the Carabao Cup.
In all seriousness, this should be a cracking tie and will give us a good indication of just how well the two sides have weathered the international break.
Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City (10/11) take on Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool (11/4), with a place in the quarter finals at stake. If you think it will go to extra time and perhaps penalties, the draw is available at 11/4.
The Cityzens signed off for Qatar in disappointing style, losing 2-1 at home to Brentford. Pep & Co will be desperate to show they’ve used the 4 weeks off wisely and are ready for a concerted push on all fronts.
The Reds responded to two disappointing defeats to Leeds and Nottingham Forest, with impressive wins over Spurs and Southampton. With the league title looking way beyond their reach, could Klopp see this as a chance for silverware this season?
City beat the title holders Chelsea in the last round and will now be looking to dispatch the other finalist from Wembley.
Team news:
Pep Guardiola has a full squad to his disposal, barring Julian Alvarez, who played in the World Cup final and is currently partaking in celebrations in Buenos Aires.
Likewise, Jurgen Klopp will be missing Ibrahima Konaté, who played in the final for France. The Reds are still without long term injury victims Arthur, Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota.
Manchester City to win – 10/11
Liverpool have had City’s number in recent fixtures, remaining unbeaten in their last five head-to-head’s and winning the last three straight.
However, The Reds form has been inconsistent at best this season and I firmly expect an Erling Haaland led side, to be the victorious side on Thursday night.
Erling Haaland first goal scorer – 5/2
One man who will have been watching Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe, with a mixture of respect and frustration, will have been Erling Haaland.
The big Norwegian, of course, missed out, due to his countries inability to qualify and will be fully rested from the niggling injury he had pre Qatar.
There will surely be an element of ‘Don’t forget about me…’ to the 22-year-old’s thought process and he will be desperate to explode back onto the average football fan’s psyche.
Halland has 23 goals in 17 games in total this season and I think he can add to that here.
Betfred are running their famous Double Delight/ Hat Trick Heaven offer on this match, meaning if Haaland scores first and then grabs a second, you will be paid out at 5/1. If he smashes in a hat-trick, you’ll get a whopping 15/2.
