English FA CUP
2012-01-28 - Liverpool vs Manchester United
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: FA Cup 4th Round
Saturday 28 January 2012 - Kick Off 12:45pm
This game is live on TV
Liverpool
Kenny Dalglish has guided Liverpool to their first Final at Wembley Stadium since 1996 as they knocked out Manchester City in the Carling Cup on Wednesday. The big games just keep coming though as they now entertain Manchester United in a clash that will hopefully be remembered for the football rather than other unsavoury events this time.
Liverpool has real ambitions, and perhaps even expectations, of making the top 4 in the Premier League this season, but they currently sit in 7th place and are 6 points behind Chelsea in the 4th place at the moment. It is their struggles to win games at Anfield that has let Liverpool down, going 4-7-0 so far, scoring 14 goals and conceding 8.
The Reds may have done enough to get through to the Carling Cup Final on Wednesday night, but the 2-2 result means they have now failed to win any of their last 3 games in all competitions. While the team are unbeaten at home all season, it is telling that they have won just 3 of their last 10 here, including against lower League Oldham Athletic, and they have drawn the last 2 at Anfield.
Jay Spearing could be brought into the starting XI for this game, while Craig Bellamy may have to settle for a place on the bench despite his man of the match performance against City due to bad knees.
Manchester United
Sir Alex Ferguson has written a letter that will be handed out to every Manchester United supporter at Anfield ahead of this game as the manager looks to calm a potential fiery game both on and off the field. Injuries are beginning to really take their toll on an already stretched squad as they go into a vital month of football.
After seeing Manchester City beat Tottenham Hotspur 3-2 with a last second goal last Sunday, the pressure was on United to keep the pressure on them at the top of the Premier League, something they managed to do as the gap remains at 3 points. United have won the most away games in the League this season, going 8-2-1 in their games, scoring 21 goals and conceding 7.
The team lost back to back League games to end 2011 and start 2012, while the media spoke of the 'crisis' at the club. However, United have since bounced back with 3 consecutive wins in all competitions and have scored at least 2 goals in each of those wins. They have won 4 of their last 5 away games in all competitions, including back to back wins at Manchester City and Arsenal.
Wayne Rooney, Michael Carrick, Nani and Phil Jones all picked up knocks in the win at Arsenal last weekend, and all could miss out here. Nani is a long-term concern, while the other 3 could be given the day off with the Stoke City League game in mind. Tom Cleverley is not ready to return to the team, while Rio Ferdinand is another doubt.
Head to Head
Liverpool and Manchester United drew 1-1 here earlier this season in a game that is remembered for non-footballing reasons.
Liverpool had won their previous 3 home games against United before that draw.
Prediction
I don't want to get into all the issues that are clearly in the forefront of everyone's mind going into this game, but suffice to say it will be a tense atmosphere... I truly hope it will not descend into a poisonous one though.
Hopefully we will be sticking to the football and on that front it may be hard to separate these teams. Liverpool had to put in a lot of effort in their draw with Manchester City on Tuesday and there could be a few tired legs in the squad after that, despite the fact they are playing their biggest rivals.
On the other hand, United could be missing some really big pieces in their team, especially on the creative side of things as Nani, Rooney and Ashley Young are doubtful. With that being said, I can see this game being a tough tight battle and there is the real potential that one goal could be enough to decide the outcome.
I did favour a draw initially, but instead I am going to back the 'Under 2.25 Goals' here as I would be surprised if both teams go hell for leather, even if they score a goal. There is the danger a team can be caught on the break if they begin chasing the game and 2 goals are already scored, but I see a tight encounter so will stick with this conviction.
The Pick :
Liverpool 1-1 Manchester United
