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Old boy threatens Coventry hopes

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The three teams in The Championship’s bottom three desperately need to start picking up the points if they are to stand any chance of survival, but expect the trio to struggle this weekend.

Coventry City are rock-bottom of the Championship, seven points adrift of safety, and the Sky Blues need to start picking up points sooner rather than later if they are to avoid the drop.

However, Andy Thorn’s side could well struggle this weekend as they entertain Middlesbrough, who have a formidable record away from the Riverside Stadium.

Tony Mowbray’s Boro slumped to a 2-0 loss at home to a resurgent Burnley last time out and the north east outfit will be desperate to get back to winning ways to put the pressure on Southampton and Cardiff.

Boro are 11/10 to secure an eighth victory on the road in the Championship this season, and considering Coventry’s recent record Mowbray’s men should be able to take all three points.

The Sky Blues have managed just one win in their last 14 fixtures and to compound their woes key striker Lukas Jutkiewicz has moved on, to Boro.

Jutkiewicz is 3/2 to score any time and 11/2 to open the scoring, both of which are certainly worth some consideration.

Doncaster Rovers have become a hard side to beat at the Keepmoat but their away form is abysmal, with two wins and eleven losses from their 13 matches to date.

Dean Saunders’ side travel to Bristol City and will struggle to get anything out of the Robins at Ashton Gate. Bristol City, who have seven points from the last 12 available on home soil, are priced at 5/6 to secure the victory over the struggling Yorkshire side.

Brighton have lost three of their last four away games and could be set for another defeat when they travel to Peterborough on Saturday afternoon.

The Posh have scored 27 goals at London Road this season, a record only bettered by league-leaders Southampton, while the Seagulls have hit the back of the net just eight times on their travels this season.

Posh are priced at evens to seal the win and record their seventh home win of the campaign to date.

Nottingham Forest face a daunting trip to West Ham as they continue their battle against the drop and Forest’s woes look set to continue at Upton Park.

The City Ground side have managed to pick up more wins on their travels than they have on home soil this season but with West Ham seeking to secure promotion they face a tricky tie in east London.

Forest boss Steve Cotterill has no new injury or suspension concerns, but he remains without a number of key players, including influential midfielder Chris Cohen.

West Ham are 4/7 to seal the win and move to the top of the table, as Southampton don’t play until Monday.

The Hammers are the 6/5 favourites to win the Championship title, Southampton can be backed at 9/4 and Sam Allardyce’s side are 1/3 to secure promotion, either through a top-two finish or the play-offs.

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Barca to edge El Clasico

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Spain’s two giants, Real Madrid and Barcelona, meet again on Wednesday, this time in the Copa Del Rey, and both sides will be looking to get one over on their bitter rivals (Real Madrid 13/8, drew 23/10, Barca 13/10 – match prices).

Barcelona have once again dominated the ‘Clasicos’ this season coming out on top over two legs in the Super Cup in August before coming back from an early goal down to win 3-1 and silence the Bernabeu crowd in December.

However, despite their apparent weakness when it comes to facing Barca, Real Madrid certainly have the talent to beat them and possess arguably the world’s best squad. Furthermore, while other coaches sometimes demean certain competitions, Jose Mourinho always goes out to win every game and is sure to put out a strong side.

After so many disappointing displays against the Catalan club, it is surely time for Madrid’s talisman Cristiano Ronaldo (9/2 first goalscorer) to produce a world class performance against the ‘Blaugrana’. The Portuguese star seems to play well for his side every week but has hit the buffers against Barca. It often appears as if he trying too hard in these matches rather than playing his natural game but having scored the winner in last season’s Copa Del Rey final, he may feel less pressure and could finally show his class in possible the biggest club game in world football.

On the other hand, Barcelona will of course be full of confidence going into the match and after yet another stunning year in 2011, will be looking at Wednesday’s match as the perfect chance to get 2012 off in the same  vain.

Pep Guardiola has so many stars to pick from with world class players in defence, midfield and attack. However, three time Ballon D’Or winner Lionel Messi (9/2 first goalscorer) must surely be their one to watch. The little Argentine is undeniably the planet’s greatest talent and unlike Ronaldo always plays well on the big stage. He also has a superb scoring record against the Madristas and will be an almost certain bet to continue his run at the Bernabeu.

However, for all their dominance, Barca may have one weak link on Wednesday and that will be in goal where Antonio Pinto is likely to star ahead of Victor Valdes. The veteran only plays in the Copa Del Rey and Guardiola appears to be loyal to him whoever they face in the competition. However, he is not in the same class as Valdes and has a habit of making big mistakes. His performance could prove vital and will undoubtedly have a bearing on the game.

With the game being played over two legs neither team will want to give too much away in the first meeting meaning it could be a tight encounter. However, with Xavi and Andres Iniesta in their side Barca can unlock any defence, however tight and should just nick it (Barcelona 9/1 to win 2-1).

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Wolves to give City the Blues

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Bet on the FA CupFollowing their goalless draw at St Andrew’s in their first FA Cup encounter earlier this month, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Birmingham City are set to do battle once again in the replay clash at Molineux on Wednesday night (Wolves 21/20, draw 12/5, Birmingham 13/5 – Match Betting).

It was a dreary match between the two West Midlands rivals on January 7, with very little action taking place until the dying moments when Wolves’ Matt Jarvis nearly clinched it for the Premier League outfit.

However, Blues keeper Colin Doyle was equal to the effort and both sides will now need another 90 minutes and maybe more to decide who will make the trip to Bramall Lane to take on Sheffield United in the FA Cup fourth round.

With Wolves in the midst of a Premier League relegation dogfight and Birmingham looking to use their games in hand to climb into the Championship play-off places, neither side would have wanted a replay in the cup.

But with this derby on the horizon both will be determined to get one over on their neighbours and it should be an open game at Molineux with both squads boasting attacking threats.

The Blues head into the game on the back of a 6-0 mauling of Millwall in Championship last weekend, with Marlon King (15/2 – First Goalscorer) bagging himself a brace against the Lions, who saw two men sent off.

King will be a threat for the Wolves defence alongside fellow striker Nikola Zigic but one man who has really caught the eye this season is the promising youngster Nathan Redmond.

The 17-year-old winger has been linked with a move to the English top flight, with a number of Premier League teams reportedly keeping tabs on the talented teenager.

Blues boss Chris Hughton has insisted the club are not interested in selling Redmond (9/2 -  To Score Anytime) in the January transfer window and why would they, considering his threat down the flanks and in front of goal?

Redmond bagged his second ever league goal in stoppage time against Millwall and would love to get on the score sheet against Wolves on Wednesday night to try to force his way in the starting XI in the future.

As for Wolves their priority will be to remain in the Premier League for next season but a win over their rivals this week would give fans something to cheer.

Steven Fletcher (4/1 – First Goalscorer) has been their main goalscoring threat this term with nine goals to his name in the Premier League.

Manager Mick McCarthy has relied on the Scotland international and he will cause the Blues problems if the Wolves boss decides to give him a run out, with another derby against Aston Villa taking place this weekend.

With Wolves showing great character in their 1-1 draw with high-flying Tottenham Hotspur last weekend, there seems to be a real spirit in the camp at Molineux.

Home advantage and that extra bit of quality in their ranks should give Wolves the edge in this one, but expect a far more open game than the drab affair at St Andrew’s.

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Wrexham can finish Brighton off

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Tuesday sees five FA Cup third round replays with Wrexham, MK Dons and Macclesfield among those hopeful of causing an upset against higher-ranked opposition at the second time of asking (FA Cup – totesport).

Bolton V Macclesfield (Winners home to Swansea)

It’s been a season to forget for the Trotters (1/4 to win) and Saturday’s defeat at Manchester United in the league means they are just a point ahead of bottom-of-the table Wigan in 19th place.

So this is hardly the time to welcome League Two side Macclesfield (11/1) to the Reebok seeking a giant-killing.

The first game ended 2-2 a couple of weeks ago (draw 9/2 – match prices) and Macc will again fancy their chances of hurting a Bolton side short on confidence and quality at the minute.

It could end up going to extra time but back the Premier League strugglers to eventually book their place in the fourth round, if only just – with draw/draw – HT/FT at 15/2 worth a punt.

Prediction: Home win (aet).

QPR v MK Dons (Winners home to Chelsea)

Mark Hughes began his tenure in charge of Rangers with a narrow defeat at Newcastle on Sunday but he will have seen enough from his new side to believe they have enough to see off the Dons at home (QPR 4/5, MK Dons 10/3, draw 13/5 – match prices).

Like the Bolton-Macclesfield tie, this was heading for a shock until a late equaliser rescued the top-flight side but you sense MK Dons’ best chance of making it through and getting a crack at Chelsea in the fourth round has now gone.

Their players will be well rested after their home clash with Carlisle was called off on Saturday but, with the R’s squad out to impress their new boss, this should be a fairly comfortable home victory with QPR to win 3-0 at 12/1 particularly appealing.

Prediction: Home win.

Leicester v Nottingham Forest (Winners home to Swindon)

This East Midlands derby ended in a 0-0 stalemate at the City Ground earlier in the month so they go at it again at the King Power Stadium on Tuesday (Leicester 8/11, Forest 4/1, draw 5/2 – match prices).

The game may well come as a welcome distraction for struggling Forest, who were beaten 3-0 by Championship leaders Southampton on Saturday – a result that leaves them in the final relegation spot in the table.

Leicester also lost at home at the weekend, 2-1 against Barnsley, and are in desperate need of some inspiration following a disappointing season to date.

Nigel Pearson’s return as manager has not had the desired effect of moving them up the Championship and they remain firmly in mid-table, despite spending heavily in the summer and many back then tipping the Foxes for automatic promotion.

So a Cup run could be just what the doctor ordered for these two sleeping giants. Expect a tight game with Leicester just about squeezing through.

Prediction: Home win.

Millwall v Dagenham & Redbridge (Winners home to Southampton)

The Lions (2/5 to win – match prices) will probably still be in shock following the 6-0 home defeat against Birmingham City on Saturday so will be desperate to get that out of their system and see off League Two outfit Dagenham and Redbridge (15/2) in this replay.

The Daggers are in a relegation fight and lost 1-0 at home to Hereford on Saturday but will approach the trip to The Den with nothing to lose.

Expect a reaction from Kenny Jackett’s side, though, and another home win looks on the cards here.

Prediction: Home win

Wrexham v Brighton (winners home to Newcastle)

Welsh outfit Wrexham (7/4 – match prices) are enjoying a fine season in the Conference and stayed on course for a return to league football when they won 2-1 at Tamworth over the weekend – three points that moved them back to the top of the table.

Securing promotion is likely to be their priority this season but, with the prospect of a potential home date with Newcastle to play for in the fourth round, they will also be desperate to progress past Championship side Brighton (6/4).

This tie was another that ended 0-0 first time around and it should be tight again but there is scope to back the non-leaguers here to cause the upset of the night.

Prediction: Home win.

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City to shine at DW

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After another exciting weekend of Premier League action, Monday sees what could be a crucial match at both ends of the Premier League table as title chasers Manchester City travel to the DW Stadium to face relegation candidates Wigan (Wigan 8/1, draw 7/2, Man City 2/5).

Both teams are in the midst of some patchy form and a win on Monday could go some way to help either side achieve their respective goals for the season.

After a solid run before Christmas, the Latics have struggled in the last few games and have lost three of their last five. Despite their form, coach Roberto Martinez is staying positive and believes they will once again stave off relegation.

It is likely that they will persevere with the 3-5-2 formation that they’ve been using recently, meaning they could dominate the City midfielders.

Key to this will be the performance of young Irish midfielder James McCarthy (11/2 to score at any time) who is one of the Lancashire side’s true quality players.

McCarthy has had a torrid time with injuries during his short career but he always performs when fit and will be looking to impress against the Citizens.

A number of top teams have tried to prise him away from the D.W. Stadium and the former Hamilton Academical player will be hoping to prove he can compete with the league’s best.

City are in a similarly poor run of form and with the talismanic Yaya Toure away at the African Cup of Nations as well as captain Vincent Kompany suspended, they’re beginning to look vulnerable.  However, the Eastlands side are still top of the table and will look at the game at Wigan as the perfect opportunity to get back on track.

Boss Roberto Mancini has almost unlimited quality in his squad and is always able to field a world-class team. In the absence of Toure, Dutchman Nigel de Jong (10/1 to score at any time) has regained his place in the side and will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in Monday’s match.

Kompany’s absence means the inexperienced Stefan Savic is likely to start and after a shaky performance in the Carling Cup defeat to Liverpool, he could be struggling for confidence. This means it will be De Jong’s job to protect the City goal so expect a big game from the former Ajax man as he looks to prove he’s good enough for a starting spot.

De Jong’s influence could be vital due to City’s recent poor defensive performances but despite these frailties, they will be confident of winning the match. However, Wigan always try to attack so it should be an exciting game and there are sure to be goals (City 25/1 to win 3-2).

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Tough start for Hughes at QPR

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There are just two Premier League games on Sunday but there’s plenty at stake as Mark Hughes takes charge of QPR for the first time against Newcastle while Arsenal hope to maintain their bid for a top-four place with a win at Swansea.

Newcastle v QPR

The Hughes era at Rangers gets underway at the Sports Direct Arena in what is a stiff test for the R’s and their new boss.

Hughes said in his press conference this week that he had initially been impressed with what he had seen from his new charges in training and he believes he has a good squad at his disposal at Loftus Road that can definitely avoid relegation.

The new boss is expected to be handed significant funds and he is already close to landing defender Alex from Chelsea while several other targets have been identified.

More quality to compliment the likes of Joey Barton, Shaun Wright-Phillips and Adel Taarabt is needed but Hughes can get the best out of them and, with some additions, QPR can become a mid-table side.

A trip to the north east first up is a difficult test but expect ‘new manager syndrome’ to kick in with the Rangers players all desperate to impress and prove they have a future at the club. With that in mind, the visitors can claim a draw in this one at 13/5.

Newcastle (4/5 to win) have continued to exceed expectations this season and the stunning 3-0 win over champions Manchester United recently proved Alan Pardew has a squad to be reckoned with, and European football can be secured.

However, the Magpies are without top-scorer Demba Ba and influential midfielder Cheik Tiote so they are weakened for this clash. It all points to a lively clash and expect an entertaining draw – go for 2-2 at 14/1 in the correct score market.

Swansea v Arsenal

Arsenal’s recovery from a poor start this season has been impressive and the recent return of legend Thierry Henry has added to the feelgood factor at the Emirates.

A top-four place is well within the Gunners’ grasp once again this season and they should have enough to claim all three points at Swansea (Arsenal 8/11, Swansea 4/1, draw 11/4).

Henry made the perfect return when netting the winner within minutes of coming on in the FA Cup third-round win over Leeds on Monday and he is again expected to be on the bench to make an impact if boss Arsene Wenger needs him in the second half. In fact, he looks a good bet at 3/2 to score anytime in this one.

The Swans are another club to have exceeded expectations so far this season but you sense, like Blackpool 12 months ago, they are now entering the key phase of the campaign and need to maintain their form if they are to avoid getting dragged into a relegation scrap.

Brendan Rodgers has made an astute loan capture in bringing youngster Josh McEachran to the Liberty Stadium from Chelsea and they have impressed at home so far in the top flight, losing just once in Wales all season – against Manchester United.

However, they face an Arsenal side determined not to slip up in their pursuit of fourth and this looks likely to be a narrow away win. Take 0-1 in the correct score market at 6/1.

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Top trio face tricky trips

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Saturday’s round of Championship matches sees the division’s top three sides, Southampton, West Ham and Cardiff, all face winnable but potentially tricky trips against teams scrapping it out at the wrong end of the table and we assess their chances of picking up maximum points.

NOTTINGHAM FOREST V SOUTHAMPTON (3pm)

We start our treble for the weekend at the City Ground where Nigel Adkins takes his league leaders looking for three points which would keep their noses just in front in the battle for promotion to the Premier League, with the Saints 4/6 with Totesport to go up in April.

The Saints have struggled over the past two months with their five-point lead being whittled down to a goal difference advantage over West Ham following just two wins in eight, while Cardiff and Middlesbrough are just two points behind them.

Adkins will be boosted by the return of first-choice goalkeeper Kelvin Davis, right-back Frazer Richardson and strike duo Guly do Prado and David Connolly, but defender Jose Fonte is a doubt and Richard Chaplow is definitely out.

Forest defeated Ipswich 3-2 at Portman Road in their last league outing to leave them in the third relegation place and two points adrift of safety.

Boss Steve Cotterill, who should have striker Dexter Blackstock and midfielder Paul Anderson in contention to play, will hope that win will boost his side going into the match and count on Forest’s good home record against the Saints, who they have not failed to score against at the City ground for 26 years, to stand them in good stead.

But, four straight league defeats at home and no goals in front of their fans since mid-November means the Forest players will have to work hard to reverse that shocking run this weekend.

However, with Southampton on a poor run of late and Forest boosted by their win at Ipswich, we fancy a possible result of sorts for the hosts.

Prediction: Draw 90 Minutes @ 12/5
Value Bet: Draw 1-1 Correct Score @ 11/2

PORTSMOUTH V WEST HAM (3pm)

Sam Allardyce takes his high-flying Hammers to Fratton Park for a tough clash against a Portsmouth side which has dragged itself clear of the relegation battle under new boss Michael Appleton.

Pompey are now seven points clear of the bottom three and go in search of a fourth win in seven league matches and fourth on home soil since Appleton replaced Steve Cotterill as boss.

Portsmouth’s plans have not been helped by injury doubts over Ricardo Rocha, Hayden Mullins and Luke Varney.

West Ham arrive with the best away record in the Championship with 24 points gained and only 11 goals conceded from 13 outings.

However, their recent form has dipped with just two wins in six league games and a 1-0 FA Cup defeat at Sheffield Wednesday last weekend.

Allardyce should have a strong squad to select from as only Guy Demel and midfielder Matt Taylor are absent due to injury.

The two sides have won 14 games each from their previous 34 meetings and drawn the other six so games between them usually have a winner.

But with Pompey being strong a home and the Hammers not firing on all cylinders of late it is difficult to pick one above the other on this occasions.

Prediction: Draw 90 Minutes @ 23/10
Value Bet: Portsmouth/Draw HT/FT @ 14/1

DONCASTER V CARDIFF (3pm)

Like the Forest-Southampton affair, this is another bottom versus top encounter at the Keepmoat Stadium which should see third-placed Cardiff City come out on top, but might not be a foregone conclusion.

Dean Saunders’ Rovers find themselves second-bottom in the table and four points adrift of safety, although they have won four of their last seven league games – three of them at home against strong opposition in the shape of table-toppers Southampton, Leicester and Barnsley.

Rovers should also be boosted by the availability of new signing Damien Plessis, while fit-again trio Herald Goulon, Martin Woods and John Oster should also be in the running to feature.

Cardiff arrive on the back of successive away defeats in the Carling Cup and FA Cup, but chasing a third successive league win.

Malky Mackay’s side have only lost one Championship game in 13 – against Middlesbrough on December 17 – and have seven draws on their travels which is more than any other side in the league.

However, despite being without injured duo, defender Kevin McNaughton and striker Rudy Gestede, they boast a good record against Rovers.

Three successive wins and nine goals in their recent matches not to mention 16 wins from their 31 league encounters over the years to Doncaster’s five suggests the Bluebirds have the Indian sign over their hosts.

And, with a chance of going to the top of the table up for grabs depending on other results, the men from South Wales should have too much for Rovers.

Prediction: Away Win 90 Minutes @ 21/20
Value Bet: Miller K 1st Goal Cardiff To Win 2-0 Scorecast @ 28/1

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Spurs and United scent top spot

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There are seven Premier League games all kicking off at 3pm on Saturday and, by the end of the day, Manchester United and Spurs could have moved level with leaders Man City at the top. There is plenty to get your teeth into therefore and here we look at some of the key games.

Man Utd v Bolton

With City not in action until Monday, this will be seen as a must-win game for United as they look to close the gap at the top. City have a three-point lead going into the weekend but that should be wiped out come 5pm on Saturday with relegation-threatened Bolton not looking likely to cause a big upset at Old Trafford.

Sir Alex Ferguson needed a reaction from his players following successive defeats to Blackburn and Newcastle in the league and he got it when his side saw off City in a fiery FA Cup third-round clash last weekend.

He knows losing to struggling Bolton side (United 1/6, Bolton 18/1, draw 6/1 – match prices) is unthinkable and nothing other than a comfortable home win looks on the cards here.

Prediction – Home win.

Spurs v Wolves

Similarly, the chances of a coupon-busting away win in this one look remote. Spurs are in superb form and saw off Everton 2-0 in midweek without really ever getting into third gear.

They host a Wolves side who have won just once on their travels all season and, despite Mick McCarthy’s side claiming a good draw at Arsenal over Christmas, the Black Country side getting anything from White Hart Lane seems extremely unlikely.

Harry Redknapp says Tottenham can maintain their title challenge (7/1 – Premier League outight) throughout the second half of the season and they don’t look like slipping up this weekend.

Prediction – Home win.

Chelsea v Sunderland

Before Martin O’Neill’s arrival at the Stadium of Light, this would have been viewed as a home banker as well but the Northern Irishman has galvanised the Black Cats (15/2 to win) and this could well throw up the shock result of the day.

O’Neill has guided his new team to five wins in his first seven games in charge and they head to Stamford Bridge full of confidence.

Chelsea (2/5) are in pole position to secure fourth place in the Premier League at the minute but know a slip-up could let Arsenal or Liverpool in and this will be a good barometer of their credentials.

Expect a tight clash and O’Neill to continue his fine start in charge by claiming a point (7/2).

Prediction – Draw.

Liverpool v Stoke

If Chelsea do fail to secure all three points, Liverpool can take advantage by beating Stoke at home (Liverpool 4/9, Stoke 7/1, draw 10/3 – match prices). The Reds have had a difficult few weeks off the field but there was finally some good news this week when skipper Steven Gerrard committed the rest of his career to the club.

A 1-0 first-leg, Carling Cup semi-final win at Man City on Wednesday means they go into this game on a high and should continue their top-four pursuit with another win.

Stoke will make things difficult, though, and have former Liverpool man Peter Crouch in their side, who is worth backing at 5/2 to score anytime against his old club but expect a hard-fought home win in this one.

Prediction – Home win.

Blackburn v Fulham

Another week goes by and still Steve Kean is in charge at Ewood Park despite poor results and seemingly every Rovers fan calling for him to be sacked.

He will face more calls to quit from unhappy home fans this weekend and, against this backdrop, Fulham at 7/5 can go to Lancashire and claim all three points to crank up the pressure on the Scot even further.

A draw at Liverpool and the fantastic win at Manchester United over Christmas earned Kean some time but successive defeats against Stoke and then Newcastle in the FA Cup last weekend mean those results now seem a distant memory (Blackburn to win 2/1).

Fulham are in good form and followed up a well-earned point at Chelsea over the festive period with a late win at home to Arsenal before easily seeing off Charlton 4-0 in the Cup last time out.

Prediction – Away win.

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Take Tottenham to pass test

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Tottenham should maintain their challenge to stay on the coat-tails of the Manchester powerhouses when they entertain Everton at White Hart Lane in the Premier League on Wednesday (Tottenham 8/15 draw 3/1 Everton 6/1 – 90 minutes).

The north Londoners take on David Moyes’ men knowing a victory will put them level with second-placed United and three points behind Premier League leaders City in the race for the biggest prize on the domestic stage.

Harry Redknapp has the luxury of recalling the influential attacking triumvirate of Rafael van der Vaart, Luka Modric and Gareth Bale after resting them for Saturday’s 3-0 FA Cup win over Cheltenham and Tottenham will not want to waste what could turn out to be a crucial game in hand.

The top-four hopefuls have scored in every home game in the Premier League so far this season and for all of the ongoing conjecture about an ever-changing back four – Redknapp will again be without Ledley King and William Gallas on Wednesday – it is worth noting Tottenham have only conceded one goal in their last five games at White Hart Lane in the top flight.

Redknapp has played a trick on his squad by making no secret of his desire to bring in a marquee signing in an attempt to keep them on their toes and, on paper at least, only injuries could prevent Tottenham from splitting – or even surpassing – the two Manchester clubs.

They started 2012 as the capital’s top club for the first time in 17 years and there is genuine belief that they could go close to achieving the unthinkable.

The visit of Everton gives them the chance to prove they can deliver on such promise but it will not be easy.

The Merseysiders have picked up recently and thoughts of relegation have eased off the back of a run of just one defeat in five games in all competitions.

Moyes continues to perform miracles with limited resources and Everton can prove belligerent and obdurate opponents on their travels.

They have come through a wretched spell at the end of 2011 – a run which yielded just three wins in all competitions from September 24 to December 17 – to climb up the table and allay fears of a relegation scrap for the time being at least.

The advice here is to stick with the home side because this fixture could mean just that bit more to them and speculative punters may like the Jermain Defoe, who has scored first on his last two starts, and Tottenham 2-0 win ‘Scorecast‘ selection, team news permitting.

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Caution the Carling watch-word

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Two defeats from three games in all competitions in January means Manchester City must get back on track against Liverpool in a Carling Cup semi-final first-leg clash at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday (Manchester City 5/6 Liverpool 6/4 – Carling Cup outright).

The ‘Martin O’Neill factor’ was in full force when Sunderland inflicted only a second defeat in the Premier League on Roberto Mancini’s men on New Year’s Day but normal service was resumed with a convincing 3-0 defeat over Wednesday’s opponents only last week.

Then the wheels came off in spectacular style against local rivals Manchester United in the FA Cup on Sunday, although Mancini took heart from a gutsy second-half performance which, in turn, exposed the frailties which could yet haunt Sir Alex Ferguson when the biggest prize on the domestic stage is handed out in May.

Now, the experienced Italian must galvanise his troops for the Carling Cup and the visit of Kenny Dalglish’s top-four hopefuls.

The demanding nature of two-legged ties means it could pay for punters to err on the side of caution in Manchester on Wednesday, while the visitors do not have to rush this fixture and team news is also pivotal.

Conversely, punters may argue any price just shy of evens about the Premier League leaders on home soil (City 20/21 draw 12/5 Liverpool 16/5 – first leg 90 minutes betting) is appealing.

Mancini could be without six senior professionals, including Kolo and Yaya Toure, who are on African Nations Cup duty with Ivory Coast, for the visit of the Merseysiders.

Edin Dzeko and Mario Balotelli are both major doubts, along with star midfielder David Silva, who was replaced at half-time in the derby on Sunday.

Goals have become a problem for Liverpool on the road and they failed to find the net against City last week and Wigan before, all of which lends itself to a low goals expectation in the first leg.

Craig Bellamy, who starred for Liverpool in the FA Cup win against Oldham last Friday, could make an appearance against his old club and the 32-year-old can backed at 9/4 (Anytime Goalscorer) or, for the value hawks, an even bigger 8/1 (Last Goalscorer), should he come off the bench.

The fiery Welshman, who left City in August on a free transfer and has scored six goals in eight starts and 10 substitute appearances so far this season, thought Liverpool were better than the scoreline suggested last week and is convinced they have more than a puncher’s chance.

“This is why you play for Liverpool and this is what it brings,” he said.

“It’s a two-legged match and we have to make sure we are still in the tie. We have the second leg at Anfield and this club knows all about two-legged games. If we can get it back to Anfield still very much in the tie we will have a great chance of getting to Wembley.”

City will find out ahead of the game whether their appeal over Vincent Kompany’s red card given against United in their FA Cup third-round clash on Sunday is successful.

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