The Premier League and Championship take a break this weekend as the FA Cup takes centre-stage, and Liverpool will be bidding to avoid an upset on Friday night as they host League One outfit Oldham Athletic.
The Latics sit comfortably in mid-table at present, 10 points clear of the relegation zone and seven points away from the play-off spots. Oldham boss Paul Dickov is expected to name his strongest possible line-up for the trip to Anfield and former Blackburn and Newcastle striker Shefki Kuqi will lead the line. Finnish frontman Kuqi is Oldham’s top scorer and his size and presence could trouble the Reds defence – if the Latics can provide him with the service he needs.
However, it is hard to see anything other than a Liverpool victory in this particular fixture, even if boss Kenny Dalglish chooses to rest his star men. Youngsters such as Sebastian Coates and Jonjo Shelvey are expected to be included in the starting line-up as Dalglish shuffles his pack, but talisman Steven Gerrard may feature in some capacity as he continues to work his way back to full fitness following a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
Dirk Kuyt and Maxi Rodriguez could be involved in the starting XI after struggling to secure regular action this season, while Alexander Doni will replace Pepe Reina in goal. Liverpool are 1/8 to secure the win, while the draw can be backed at 7/1 and an Oldham victory, which would be a massive upset, is priced at 18/1. Liverpool can be backed at 7/1 to land the FA Cup this season, Chelsea are 5/1 and Manchester City are priced at 13/2.
There are two other domestic fixtures on Friday night and League One title chasers Huddersfield will be looking to put the pressure on the likes of Sheffield Wednesday and Charlton Athletic when they travel to lowly Wycombe. Wednesday and the Addicks are both involved in the cup so Huddersfield can close the gap at the top if they manage to secure all three points.
The Yorkshire outfit have drawn their previous two matches and will be desperate to get back to winning ways to keep their automatic promotion hopes alive. In contrast, Wycombe are involved in the relegation dogfight and are currently two points adrift of safety. The Chairboys have lost their previous two fixtures and have failed to score in both, and their struggles could well continue when Huddersfield visit.
Town striker Jordan Rhodes is in sensational form at present and can be backed at 5/4 to score at any time, or 7/1 to score two or more. Huddersfield are 10/11 to take all three points, while a Wycombe win is available at 11/4 and a draw can be backed at 13/5.
In League Two Burton Albion host Accrington Stanley in a crucial promotion encounter. Burton currently occupy the last play-off spot in the table and Stanley are just four points behind Paul Peschisolido’s side, who have slumped of late. The Brewers slumped to a 2-0 defeat at home to relegation threatened Hereford last time out and have managed just one win in their last four games.
While Burton are struggling Accrington are in the midst of a rich vein of form and are unbeaten in their last nine fixtures, winning six and drawing three. Burton are 10/11 to take all three points but considering Stanley’s recent form an away win at 12/5 could well be the best bet in this Friday night contest, the draw is available at 12/5.
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