League Cup preview and odds: Southampton vs Liverpool

Published on: 09/01/2017

League Cup preview and odds: Southampton vs Liverpool

January 11, 2016 19:45pm - St. Marys Stadium

League Cup- Semi-final, First Leg

Out-of-sorts Southampton will be aiming to reach their first major cup final since 2003 when they face eight-time former winners Liverpool in the first leg of the League Cup semi-final on Wednesday night.

Saints winless in last four games

Southampton have failed to win any of their last four matches and have one just two of their last nine in all competitions. However, the South Coast side now have a great chance to reach their first major final in 14 years when they take on Liverpool over two legs in the League Cup semi-final.

When the teams met at St. Mary`s in this competition last year, the Reds cruised to a 6-1 win in a single-legged match. The Saints will be keen to avoid a repeat of that result and give themselves a chance going into the second leg at Anfield in a fortnight`s time.

Claude Peul`s men broke a three-game losing streak by snatching a 2-2 draw on the road at Norwich in the third round of the FA Cup at the weekend. Their one and only previous appearance in the final of this competition came back in 1979 when they were beaten 3-2 by Nottingham Forest.

Meanwhile, Liverpool will continue their quest to increase their record number of wins in the competitions to nine when they make the journey south on Wednesday. With a second leg at Anfield to follow, Jurgen Klopp`s men will be keen put themselves in the driving seat during the first leg.

A second-string Reds XI (the youngest ever to take to the field in their history) were held to a 0-0 draw at home by Plymouth in the FA Cup on Sunday. However, a full-strength selection is expected in midweek as Klopp looks to reach his third major final since arriving on Merseyside.

Last year`s losing finalists have lost just one of their last 11 away matches in all competitions. In addition, they have won their last four away from home in this competition, scoring 15 and conceding just once in the process.

Team news

The home side will be without the injured group of Sofiane Boufal, Charlie Austin, Jake Hesketh, Matt Targett and Jeremy Pied, while Cedric Soares and Alex McCarthy are both doubts.

Meanwhile, the visitors are still without the injured pair of Danny Ings and Adam Bogdan, while Sadio Mane is away on African Cup of Nations duty. Also in danger of missing out are Marko Grujic, James Milner, Jordan Henderson, Joel Matip and Philippe Coutinho, who are all on the doubtful list.

Recent form (all competitions):

Southampton: DLLLW

Liverpool: DDWWW

Betting odds and tips

Liverpool have a great record in this tournament and with Jurgen Klopp already on the verge of his third final in a year, you have to fancy the away team to qualify yet again.

The Saints have not failed to score at home in this competition in the last six years and have scored in all but two of their last 26 home games in all competitions.

As a result, both teams can be expected to get on the score sheet with the Reds coming out on top.

You can back Liverpool to win and Both Teams to Score at 15/4 with Bet365.

By Neil Morris

Published on: 09/01/2017

Any odds displayed within this preview were correct at the time of publishing (09/01/2017 13:28:41) but are subject to change.