Leeds v Liverpool – Carling Cup 3rd Round

The Carling Cup third round kicks off on Tuesday night, with Liverpool’s trip to Leeds looking to be the highlight of the first batch of matches. Elland Road once again hosts a Premier League club, as the League One team welcomes Liverpool into the hotbed of Yorkshire football. Leeds are currently sat at the top of League One, undefeated so far this season, having only dropped two points out of their first eight games. They boast four wins from four at home, scoring 11 and having only conceded 2. This should give them great heart going into the game against Liverpool, and even depending on how strong a side the Reds will field, they will fancy their chances either way.

It is unlikely that the likes of Gerard and Torres will make an appearance for the Reds, unless it is coming off the bench. This will not dent the desire of Leeds to put on a giant killing act. The home advantage should play a big part for Leeds, who were relegated from the Premier League five seasons ago. This is their big chance to show that they can play amongst the best in the country again. Beyond the four straight wins at home this season, Leeds have actually won 15 straight at Elland Road, going back into the end of last season.

Liverpool have also started to find some form after a little uneasy start to the season when they were still trying to find their feet. They themselves are on a run of four straight wins, and even in Benitez fields what will be considered a weakened side, there should be enough quality on show to give Leeds a good game. There have been questions raised about Liverpool’s strength in depth should the big stars disappear. If Gerard and Torres, arguably their two best players, don’t show, it could give a good picture into what life would be without them. It is this worry which puts them further back in the race for the Premier League.

But league form can be thrown out of the window come cup tie time. Leeds v Liverpool reads as a mouth watering clash, and the passions will be high from the men in white. Liverpool can expect a tough game, and will probably have to absorb a lot of pressure to get through this one.

Leeds to Win – 4/1 at 888Sport
Draw – 11/4 at Stan James
Liverpool to Win – 3/4 at Expekt

Betting Tip. This one appears to have a draw written all over it, as they say. Home advantage and a spark of passion up against a Liverpool side without Torres and Gerard? Will the Reds crumble under the pressure? Probably not, for they should have enough quality not to lose. A draw here seems the most probable outcome.