Capital One Cup Final
Liverpool take on Man City in the Capital One Cup final on Sunday afternoon and it has the makings of an excellent match. They have met just the once so far this season and it ended with Liverpool coming away from the Etihad with a thoroughly convincing 4-1 win, and it could have easily been two of three more.
I tipped Liverpool to win the competition at the back end of last year at 6/1 and am not going to change my mind now. They are a best priced 12/5 to win the match and I think this represents excellent value.
City are obviously an excellent team and have a whole host of attacking options who are able to cause problems for any defence. They did have a long trip to Kiev on Wednesday in the Champions League where they played a full strength side, so there is a chance that will play a part. With City, if you can stop David Silva playing then it halts their whole fluidity, therefore I am certain Jurgen Klopp will be looking at this. However, I'm not sure Liverpool really have the personnel to do this directly so they will play exactly the same way they did in the corresponding league match, they will press City really high up the pitch and hope to win the ball back early.
If City do get possession in Liverpool's half then are sure to cause them problems. In Silva and Sergio Aguero they have two of the best players in the league. The same can be said at the other end as City have been poor defensively this season, although having Kompany back is a huge plus, and Liverpool finally have Coutinho, Firmino and Sturridge which makes them a far more potent attacking team.
All in all I think this could be a final that has plenty of goals so will be going for a selection of Liverpool to win and both teams to score at 5/1. I also think that if Liverpool get an early goal it could go a similar way to the game at the Etihad so will be backing them on the handicap at minus one.
15;35 Kempton - Betbright Chase
A Grade 3 handicap over three miles with sixteen runners, this race is wide open. Roc D'apsis is near the bottom of the handicap racing off a weight of 10 stone 3 pounds and I think he has a really good chance at a nice price. He won a two and a half mile class two last time out and he was staying on very nicely at the finish which makes me sure that the step up to three miles will really suit. That win was here at Kempton and he has only been raised four pounds so looks certain to give a good account of himself. Richard Johnson takes over from Paddy Brennan and I think he will make a bold bid of making the frame.
Today's Selections
Liverpool to win and BTTS - 1 point @ 5/1 (Most firms)
Liverpool minus one - 1 point @ 6/1 (Most firms)
Kempton 15:35 - Roc D'apsis - 1 point each way @ 20/1 (Bet365, Betvictor, Ladbrokes, Hills)