Tuesday English League Cup Preview – Liverpool vs Leeds
November 29, 2016 19:45pm – Anfield Stadium
English League Cup – Quarter-Finals
Recent Form (All competitions)
Liverpool: WDWWW
Leeds: WLWWW
Liverpool will continue their quest to reach a second-straight League Cup final when they face in-form Championship side Leeds United at Anfield on Tuesday night.
The Reds can be expected to rest some first-choice players for this clash, just as they did in the three previous rounds. But as they proved in the last match against Tottenham Hotspur, even their second string players can pose a formidable threat to the opposition.
In that game, it was Daniel Sturridge who netted twice to ensure that the second-ranked Premier League side progressed. However, the striker remains a slight doubt for this game having picked up a calf strain in training last week.
Also unavailable are Brazilian duo Philippe Countinho and Roberto Firmino, who both limped off in the Premier League clash with Southampton at the weekend. They will join Adam Lallana in the treatment room. As a result, Divock Origi may be called upon to lead the line, while Marko Grujic could return in midfield alongside Wijnaldum, Ejaria and Stewart.
Klopp’s men have won eight of their last nine League Cup matches, with their only defeat coming via a penalty shootout in last year’s final against Manchester City.
Meanwhile, Leeds United have made good progress in recent weeks following a shaky start to the season under new boss Garry Monk. As well as reaching the League Cup quarter-finals, the former Swansea coach has led his charges to fifth place in the Championship table.
The Yorkshire club have won five of their last six games in all competitions, with their only defeat coming against league leaders Newcastle United.
The Whites will have to make do without playmaker Pablo Hernandez who has yet to recover from a hamstring injury picked up in the recent 3-2 win at Norwich City.
Prediction
Leeds are in good form but Liverpool are on fire and are just a point away from the Premier League summit. The Reds have been particularly dominant on home soil, having remained unbeaten in their last 22 matches in all competitions at Anfield.
In addition, the home side have scored two goals or more in all but one of their home matches this term.
You won’t get great odds on a home win, but with Countinho and Firmino injured and Daniel Sturridge a doubt, Divock Origi looks a good bet in the Anytime Goalscorer market with prices of around Evens available.
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