Written by Jason Dewey for @Hollywoodbets. Follow them both on Twitter and Facebook now!
Stoke City vs Liverpool | Tuesday 5 January | Britannia Stadium | 22:00
Both Stoke City and Liverpool are eager to bounce back after disappointing performances in the Premier League as they face off in the first leg of the Capital One Cup semi-final at Britannia Stadium this Tuesday evening.
With Liverpool facing challenges in the league and Europa League and Stoke without major title ambitions, both managers Mark Hughes and Jurgen Klopp are expected to deploy their strongest lineups for this crucial encounter.
Match Result Odds (90 Minutes)
Stoke City: 2/1
Draw: 23/20
Liverpool: 14/10
Stoke City
The Potters have evolved significantly since Tony Pulis left, adopting a dynamic and attractive attacking style under Mark Hughes. Their high-energy performances have caught the eyes of many, with key players Xherdan Shaqiri, Marko Arnautovic, and Bojan Krkic leading the charge.
Marko Arnautovic, in particular, has been impressive, with seven goals and three assists since his arrival, making him vital if Stoke are to advance to the League Cup final.
Defensively, goalkeeper Jack Butland is a standout, potentially England’s next number one. Fullbacks Erik Pieters and Glen Johnson provide both defensive stability and attacking width, supported by solid centre-backs Ryan Shawcross and Marc Muniesa, who is likely to recover from injury for this game.
After a tough loss to West Brom, expect Stoke’s front line to relentlessly challenge Liverpool’s defence and bring the vibrant football they’ve shown against top league teams this season.
Liverpool
Jurgen Klopp faces a challenging season as Liverpool aim for a top-four league finish while struggling with inconsistency. The Capital One Cup semi-final provides a brief distraction from their league woes, with the Reds sitting eighth, six points from the top four.
Injuries are a significant issue, sidelining key players like Daniel Sturridge, Jordan Henderson, Martin Skrtel, James Milner, Danny Ings, and Joe Gomez for the match.
The Reds’ form has been lacklustre, scoring just 22 goals and conceding 24 in 20 league matches. Klopp faces a tough job restructuring the squad but must make the most of his current resources.
Recent defeats have seen offensive players like Christian Benteke and Roberto Firmino struggle to shine. Benteke is expected to lead the line once more, supported by Coutinho, Firmino or Lallana, and Ibe, hoping to spark the attacking flair needed to break down opponents.
Defensively, Dejan Lovren and Mammadou Sakho will likely form the centre-back partnership, flanked by Alberto Moreno and Nathaniel Clyne. Their performance will be crucial to containing Stoke’s vigorous attack.
Expert Verdict: Double Chance on Stoke to Win or Draw at 5/10
Both teams come off disappointing weekend results, but Stoke appear more confident. Liverpool’s attack isn’t firing, and Stoke’s defence should hold firm. Putting your money on the double chance for Stoke to win or draw looks a safe bet.
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