Carling Cup: Spurs to edge out under-strength Liverpool

Carling Cup / Dan Fitch / 12 November 2008 / Leave a Comment

The Carling Cup is a good chance for Spurs to collect some silverware whereas Rafael Benitez may feel he has bigger fish to fry and rest plenty of key players tonight. That could make Spurs the value to progress, says Dan Fitch.

The problem with being on an unbeaten run is the absolute certainty that at some point it will come to an end. Following Harry Redknapp's appointment, Tottenham are on a run of five games without defeat, which included a smash -and-grab 2-1 victory over Liverpool at White Hart Lane.

Liverpool will be keen to reverse this result when they travel to Tottenham in the Carling Cup on Wednesday night. Anyone who saw their recent league encounter will know that Spurs were extremely fortuitous in beating Liverpool, who had plenty of chances to kill the game off.

Tottenham are the current holders of the Carling Cup, having been inspired last season by the appointment of Juande Ramos, following a poor start under Martin Jol. There's a sense of Déjà vu in the air, with Harry Redknapp now having the same effect on Spurs as Ramos did last season. Tottenham can be backed at [13.0] to retain the trophy, whilst Liverpool are the fourth favourites at [8.2].

Liverpool would probably be shorter than this, but for their record in the League Cup during the Benitez reign. Having been the beaten finalists in Benitez's first season in charge, Liverpool have subsequently failed to get any further than the quarter final stage.

Benitez doesn't tend to field a full strength side in this competition, preferring to give some playing time to those on the fringes of his squad, though he will occasionally throw in a couple of his big guns.

It seems as if on this occasion, Benitez has decided to rest his best players for the weekend. He has confirmed that neither Gerrard nor Keane will play and has indicated that the likes of Carragher, Alonso and Kuyt could also be rested.

If this all sounds like music to the ears of Spurs fans, the inclusion of Fernando Torres in the squad will give them something to worry about. Torres is in need of games to get back to match fitness and could get a starting berth here. Torres can be backed to be first goalscorer at [6.0] and is [2.60] to score any time.

Having had such a poor start in the league, Tottenham will surely start with a strong side, as cup glory looks to be their most likely route into Europe. That will mean starting with the in-form Darren Bent. The former Charlton man has flourished since Redknapp took over, benefiting from having a player as canny as Modric just behind him and the through balls of Tom Huddlestone. Bent is good value at [8.0] to be first goalscorer and is [3.4] to score at any time.

Redknapp will rest skipper Ledley King, to enable him to be fit for the weekend clash with Fulham. Continuity is important in all areas of the pitch, but never more so than in the back four. Having to constantly chop and change, has done no favours for the understanding between Tottenham's defenders, but King is a player of such quality that he has to be accommodated within the starting line up.

Another defender that will miss this match is Benoit Assou-Ekotto, following his sending off against Manchester City. This is more likely to improve the defence than disrupt it, as the more able Gareth Bale will deputise. Redknapp has indicated that he will give a chance to a couple of his own fringe players, such as the on-loan Frazier Campbell. The young forward is available at [10.5] to get the first goal.

Tottenham's recent 2-1 victory over Liverpool was the first time in their last six meetings at White Hart Lane, that the 2.5 goal barrier was broken. Under 2.5 goals can be backed at [1.94], with over 2.5 at [2.04]. The last time these sides met in the League Cup, the match was won by Liverpool on penalties following a 1-1 draw after extra time. Liverpool are [12.0] to win again on spot kicks, in the Method of Victory market.

In the match odds, Tottenham are the [2.66] favourites, with the draw [3.6] and Liverpool [2.84]. In the To Qualify market, Spurs are [1.87] and Liverpool [2.0]. A lot will depend on the strength of the respective starting line ups. Liverpool don't possess the depth of squad of Chelsea, nor youngsters as good as Arsenal's. If they rest too many of their key men, then Spurs are the value to progress.