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2011-08-24 - Exeter vs Liverpool
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football : Carling Cup
Wednesday 24 August 2011 - Kickoff 7:45pm
This game is live on TV
Exeter
Exeter won their first League Cup game since returning to the Football League in 2008 and they have been rewarded with the biggest prize in this Round as they host Liverpool.
The win over Yeovil in the 1st Round is actually the only time Exeter have finished with a win all season. Even at this early stage of the season, it can be hard for players in the lower Leagues to forget about matches of this magnitude and that may have contributed to the fact they have lost all 3 games since the draw for the 2nd Round of the Carling Cup was made. Exeter have just 1 point this season and they are 22nd in League One.
Exeter have lost their last 2 games at home, stopping a run of 6 consecutive wins at home in all competitions from the end of last season. The team were beaten by the MK Dons and Brentford here in the last week.
Liam Sercombe and Richard Logan are both injury doubts, but you can be sure they will do all they can to be passed fit for this game. Steve Tully is suspended and John O'Flynn is definitely out.
Liverpool
Looking back at last season and Roy Hodgson's reign at Anfield, it was the defeat to Northampton Town in the 3rd Round at Anfield that got the fans on his back and was the rod used to beat him with for the rest of his time at the club. This year Liverpool have no European competition and so the Carling Cup should be more important as Kenny Dalglish continues rebuilding his side.
A 1-1 draw at home against Sunderland was a disappointment for the expectant fans at Anfield, but a 0-2 win at Arsenal last Saturday has left those travelling to the Emirates dreaming about finishing in the top 4 and a place in the Champions League.
Liverpool have won just 2 of their last 6 Carling Cup ties. They may be the most successful team in the history of the competition with 7 wins, but they have not reached the Final since 2005. The away record of the side has been inconsistent since Dalglish came back to take charge and they have won just 3 of their last 9 away games in all competitions.
It is expected that Kenny Dalglish will be making changes in this game to his usual starting line up, and I expect the likes of Andy Carroll, Stewart Downing, Luiz Suarez, Jordan Henderson and Charlie Adam will be given a rest.
Prediction
The Carling Cup is a strange competition considering the changes managers make, but Liverpool should be taking it seriously enough as it is a chance for Kenny Dalglish to win his first trophy since returning to the club.
With no European distractions, the Carling Cup may not be the 'waste of time' that some managers consider it to be until the latter stages.
Exeter are understandably excited to have Liverpool visiting St James' Park, with all the financial help it will bring the club, but I think it is asking a lot for them to cause a surprise considering their recent form in the League.
I have this feeling that Liverpool are taking this game more seriously than people may think and I think they will get the job done with a bit to spare.
The Pick :
Exeter 0-3 Liverpool
FIXED ODDS BETTING TIP :
I'll back Liverpool - 1.5 Asian Handicap @ 2.00
