It’s definitely advantage Liverpool at the halfway stage of their Carling Cup, semi-final with Manchester City. The Reds very effectively shut up shop against City at the Etihad a couple of weeks ago after taking the lead following Steven Gerrard’s early penalty and the emphasis will again on Roberto Mancini’s team to attack at Anfield if they are not to find themselves tumbling out of a second domestic cup competition in a matter of weeks. The Blues, of course, lost to neighbours United in the third round of the FA Cup earlier this month.

There were several talking points to emerge from the first leg of this semi-final, not least the decision of referee Lee Mason not to penalise Liverpool full-back Glen Johnson for a two-footed lunge at England colleague Joleon Lescott. City had, of course, had Vincent Kompany sent off days earlier for a similar challenge on Manchester United’s Nani and Mancini was livid that the Liverpool defender wasn’t handed out the same punishment. Perhaps there will be a sense of injustice in the City camp but if they are to stay in the Carling Cup, they’ll be aware that they are going to have to be at the top of their game on Merseyside where Liverpool have yet to taste defeat this season.

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Liverpool are 6/4 to beat City for a second time and clinch their place at Wembley in style but manager Kenny Dalglish will surely set his side up again not to concede. The draw, therefore, may be the best bet at 11/5 as fans at Anfield have already seen seven draws this season, the most in the Premier League. City have already won at Wolverhampton Wanderers and Arsenal in the competition so far, however, and Mancini is likely to put out his strongest team with the collection of trophies very much a priority with owner Sheikh Mansour. Goal scoring opportunities may be at a premium at Anfield so backing Under 2.5 in the Total Goals market at 8/11 may be sound advice, with a 0-0 correct score not impossible at 17/2.

Liverpool v Man City Betting

Carling Cup Matches

Manchester City may have had the door slammed on one route to Wembley this season but that may make Roberto Mancini’s deposed FA Cup holders more determined to ensure they don’t slip up for a second time in a few days against Liverpool in the Carling Cup.

City’s defeat by arch-rivals United on Sunday was controversial to say the least. Vincent Kompany appeared very unlucky to be red-carded after only 12 minutes and Mancini’s team still almost staged a remarkable second-half comeback. Kompany’s imposed four-match ban is likely to be appealed but the City skipper will probably still miss their semi-final, first-leg clash with the Reds. It’s only a week since City beat Liverpool 3-0 at the Etihad in the Premier League so many will expect the current league leaders to build up an aggregate advantage to take to Anfield later this month. But that scoreline greatly flattered City on the night, with Liverpool having 18 shots as compared to the home side’s 10. Gareth Barry also saw red for Mancini’s team but the England midfielder has served his suspension and is likely to come straight back into the starting line-up as his team will be missing Yaya Toure. Kompany’s likely replacement will be Stefan Savic.

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Liverpool have had a couple of extra days to recover from their FA Cup exertions, having seen off League 1 Oldham at Anfield on Friday evening. That wasn’t the perfect performance, however, as the visitors were well in the game until tiring in the closing stages. A late goal from Andy Carroll should have boosted the Reds’ record signing, however, and Kenny Dalglish may decide to give the former Newcastle striker another chance to lead the line at the Etihad with Luis Suarez in the midst of an eight-match ban. Stewart Downing has been one of Liverpool’s most consistent performers this season but he became the latest England player this season to be involved in controversy following a nightclub incident over the weekend and may not be in the right frame of mind to start. Steven Gerrard should play, however, having come through 90 minutes against Oldham while Craig Bellamy is set to line up against his former club.

We fancy City will have a lead to take to Anfield in a fortnight but it may only be a narrow one. A home victory can be backed at 19/20 and City to win and Sergio Aguero to score is 5/2 on the Wincast. The Draw/City on the Half Time/ Full Time Forecast is 4/1 and if there is another red card in this game, we’ll refund all losing scorecast, correct score and first/last goalscorer singles on the match.

Man City v Liverpool Betting

Carling Cup Matches

The Carling Cup clearly isn’t the highest priority for either Arsenal or Manchester City but the winners of their quarter-final at the Emirates will only be 180 minutes away from a Wembley appearance and several players on both sides will be aiming to show Arsene Wenger and Roberto Mancini that they may be worthy of a more regular starting appearance.

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The Gunners have had a day longer than their opponents to recover from their last Premier League game in which they were forced to come from behind to prevent Fulham achieving a first-ever away win at Arsenal. Surely, this is a game in which Wenger will feel he can rest Robin van Persie without fear of reprisal. Gervinho and the much-maligned Marouane Chamakh both came off the bench against Fulham and should be on the pitch from the start against City, while Yossi Benayoun and a fit-again Tomas Rosicky could replace Aaron Ramsey and Mikael Arteta in midfield. Abou Diaby and Laurent Koscielny are also in line for recalls if Arsene Wenger does decide to shuffle his pack with Lucasz Fabianski likely to earn a rare start between the sticks.

City manager Mancini has had his hand forced somewhat by events at Anfield on Sunday with both Mario Balotelli and Gareth Barry suspended for the trip to the Emirates. Despite their struggles in the Champions League, City remain undefeated in domestic football and their second string put five past Wolves at Molineux in the last round without breaking sweat. We’ll probably see the likes of Costel Pantilimon and Luca Scapuzzi in action again in north London, though there’s also be a fair few internationals sporting the sky blue as well including England’s Adam Johnson, former Gunner Samir Nasri and top scorer Edin Dzeko, who didn’t figure at Liverpool after a tough night in Naples last week.

Arsenal may feel they have something to prove after blowing their chance of some silverware in the final of this competition last year. There’s just a chance that their second string may be more up for this tie than that of the opponents and, with home advantage, Arsenal are taken to extend their unbeaten run to 11 games and reward win odds of 19/10. Manchester City to score exactly one goal could be a decent bet at 9/5.

Arsenal v Man City Betting

Carling Cup Matches

If things continue in their current vein, there’s a good chance that Cardiff City and Blackburn Rovers will be swapping places at the end of this season and the Bluebirds look a decent bet at 7/5 to see off Steve Kean’s Premier League strugglers at the City Of Cardiff Stadium.

Cardiff are currently third in another typically competitive Championship and have only lost once in front of their own fans this season. Since losing a seven-goal thriller at Peterborough in the middle of last month, they’ve won six and drawn two of their eight games. Dead-ball specialist Peter Whittingham has been among the goals lately but City like to share the goals around and that makes them dangerous opponents for a Rovers side that look very vulnerable in general and even more so without injured skipper Chris Samba. Morale looked low again in their performance at Stoke on Saturday and they were very fortunate to take a point at Wigan previously when they again conceded three times. Defeat for Blackburn would again ramp up the pressure on manager Kean but they look worth opposing at the moment whoever they play. Cardiff to win by exactly one goal is 16/5.

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Cardiff v Blackburn Betting

Liverpool rocked Chelsea at Stamford Bridge with a late goal in the Premier League a couple of weeks ago but Kenny Dalglish has been incandescent with rage since finding out that his team are expected to make a return to the capital just 48 hours after playing league leaders Manchester City and even went to the extraordinary lengths of initially warning supporters not to buy tickets for their Carling Cup quarter-final. Of course, Dalglish could never go the whole hog of admitting he’d field an under strength side, sponsors and organisers don’t like to hear that sort of thing, but the signs are that this will be a much-changed Liverpool side to the one slowly edging closer to the Champions League places so it may be worth sticking with Chelsea, whose 3-0 victory over Wolves on Saturday will have vanquished a few demons.

Andre Villas-Boas’ team still isn’t firing on all cylinders but the manager has the luxury of being able to bring the likes of Frank Lampard, Fernando Torres, Nicola Anelka and Florent Malouda back into the fray to spice things up and, if Liverpool do decide to play a few youngsters, their class and experience could be telling. Chelsea are 17/20 to win in 90 minutes and 11/4 to win on the Wincast with former Red Torres getting on the scoresheet.

Chelsea v Liverpool Betting

Carling Cup Matches

Such is the strength of Manchester City’s squad that they will still be able to field at least half-a-dozen full internationals for their fourth-round game against Wolves at Molineux even though Roberto Mancini is likely to rest most of the team that started Sunday’s demolition of Manchester United at Old Trafford. Owen Hargreaves, who scored his first City goal in their win over holders Birmingham in the last round, is set for a rare start while the likes of England’s Adam Johnson, Kolo Toure and Aleksander Kolarov will all come into contention. Having only lost once in all competitions so far, confidence among the City squad must be sky-high in comparison to that of Wanderers. Mick McCarthy’s men fought back to grab a draw against Swansea on Saturday but now haven’t won in the Premier League since August and look more vulnerable by the week in defence. City to win and in-form Edin Dzeko to score is 13/8 on the Wincast.

Wolves v Man City

Stoke have done well against Liverpool at the Britannia Stadium since returning to the top flight and Kenny Dalglish’s men could be in for another uncomfortable night in the Potteries. Tony Pulis is becoming adept at rotating his squad and though they lost at Arsenal on Sunday, his players in general always seem to do themselves justice. No doubt both teams will have a few familiar faces missing for this fourth-round tie but home advantage counts for plenty where City are concerned and they are fancied to edge a tight affair. Stoke to win by a one goal margin are 4/1 and 11/5 to win the tie in 90 minutes.

Stoke v Liverpool

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Everton, similarly, are a bit of a bogey team for Chelsea and could benefit from the Londoners playing the entire second half of Sunday’s 1-0 defeat at QPR with only nine men. Both Jose Bosingwa and Didier Drogba are suspended for the game at Goodison Park and Andre Villa-Boas is unlikely to field many if any of his remaining first-choice players against the Toffeemen with more important games on the immediate horizon. Fernando Torres could return, however, but expect improving Everton to go all out to secure a quarter-final spot with the Carling Cup almost certainly their best chance of getting some silverware on the sideboard again this season. David Moyes’ team are 21/10 to win in 90 minutes and 9/2 to be winning at half time and full time.

Everton v Chelsea

Blackburn Rovers against Newcastle United is another all-Premier League tie and this one may well end all-square after 90 minutes. The Magpies may be flying high in the league in comparison to their struggling hosts but still aren’t prolific scorers whereas Rovers usually manage to find the net at least once – if only they could keep the door shut at the other end! The draw at Ewood Park is 23/10 while a 1-1 correct score is 5/1.

Blackburn v Newcastle

Carling Cup Matches

League Two Aldershot could be the unfortunate recipients of Manchester United’s reaction to their 6-1 humiliation by neighbours City in the Carling Cup this week. Sir Alex Ferguson generally gives his fringe the players an outing in the competition but Shots’ fans should still see the likes of Dimitar Berbatov, Nemanja Vidic and Michael Owen in action at the Recreation Ground, while Ryan Giggs also played in their comfortable third round win at Leeds United.

Owen has a particularly impressive scoring record in the Carling Cup, having netted twice at Elland Road and also scoring a brace at Scunthorpe in the competition last season. The former England striker will almost certainly get plenty of opportunities against Aldershot, who did enjoy a morale-boosting 5-2 win at Dagenham & Redbridge on Saturday but have lost four of their six home games in the league. Owen is 13/5 to score two or more goals and 5/6 to get on the scoresheet in a United victory in 90 minutes.

Aldershot v Man United

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Both Arsenal and Bolton Wanderers are also certain to make plenty of changes for their tie at the Emirates but Arsene Wenger’s squad will be going into the game in more confident mood having won their last six home games in all competitions. One of those victories came at the expense of Bolton in the Premier League and the Gunners looks a sound bet to reward odds of 8/15 with the likes of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Carl Jenkinson already showing themselves very capable at top-class level. Tomas Rosicky and Yossi Benayoun should also get a start and they should be much too strong for Owen Coyle’s strugglers.

Arsenal v Bolton

There have been 16 goals scored in Cardiff City’s last three Championship games and the same number in their three Carling Cup matches to date this season which suggests fans could be in for another goal feast when Burnley visit the City Of Cardiff Stadium. Exactly four goals to be scored in the game is 4/1 and exactly five goals is 8/1.

Cardiff v Burnley

The night’s other tie sees Crystal Palace host Southampton. Both teams are in cracking form and will fancy their chances of making further progress in the competition. A draw could be the best option here at 23/10.

Crystal Palace v Southampton

Wednesday’s betting tips

Carling Cup Matches

More rugby tactics can be expected from Ipswich (18/1) this Tuesday night when they travel to The Emirates Stadium to take on Arsenal (1/7) in their Carling Cup semi-final 2nd leg. The North London club failed to break down The Tractors Boys at Portman Road two weeks ago but if Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger names a stronger starting eleven this time round, The Gunners could emulate the 7-0 scoreline that Chelsea dished out to Ipswich in the FA Cup recently.

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The Arsenal “only” notched up sixgoals in their last two Premier League games - I say only because that total could and probably should have been double! However, Wenger has foolishly pledged to ring the changes yet again so the likes of Cesc Fabregas, Samir Nasri and Robin van Persie are all likely to sit out the match. Strange decision on Wenger’s behalf because if Ipswich grab at least an away goal, then Arsenal would need to score three or more goals.

Arsenal v Ipswich (Tuesday 25th January, 19:45 BBC2)

In the other Carling Cup clash taking place this week West Ham (12/5) travel to St Andrews on Wednesday night with a slender advantage over Birmingham City (11/10) following their 1st leg semi-final although the midlands side do have an away goal to work with. Ben Foster’s howler gifted The Hammers a goal at Upton Park in the 1st leg and his performance in their 5-0 defeat against Manchester United last weekend is a serious cause of concern for Birmingham manager Alex McLeish and it remains to be seen if Foster can retain his place in the side. If he does start, I’d fancy taking the odds on offer for Carlton Cole to score 2 or more goals and don’t be surprised to see West Ham score 3 or more goals.

Birmingham v West Ham (Wednesday 26th January, 19:45 SS2)

Carling Cup Betting

The two remaining quarter-finals in this season’s Carling Cup kick off on Wednesday night as Roy Keane’s Ipswich Town (13/5) play host to Premier League side West Bromwich Albion (evens) at Portman Road.

Ipswich come into this Carling Cup quarter-final off the back of a dreadful performance last weekend which saw them humiliated 4-1 by their bitter rivals Norwich City. Defensively, The Tractor Boys were abysmal and with free-scoring West Brom the opposition this time round, Keane’s Ipswich side could be in line for another battering.

West Brom manager Roberto Di Matteo has every right to be in confident mood ahead of this quarter-final fixture after seeing his side easily account for Everton at Goodison Park last weekend. On that occasion, West Brom’s free-flowing football ran the Toffees defence ragged, scoring four excellent goals in the process, and I’m expecting The Baggies to plough through an Ipswich defence that’s conceded ten goals in their last four games!

Ipswich v West Brom

A hostile environment is guaranteed in the other Carling Cup quarter-final taking place on Wednesday night as the fierce rivalry of the Midlands derby between Birmingham (11/8) and Aston Villa (2/1) is renewed at St. Andrews. Both teams faced each other just a few weeks ago but on that occasion it turned out to be a boring 0-0 spectacle. With a semi-final place in the Carling Cup up for grabs, I’m expecting a hotly-contested affair. Aston Villa have shown little courage in their last three games while in contrast Birmingham’s never-say-die attitude has seen them taste defeat just once in their last eight matches.

Birmingham v Aston Villa

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Carling Cup Betting Tips

3pt double @ 25/1

Birmingham to win both halves (7/1)

West Brom Half-Time/Full-Time (9/4)

2pt double @ 6/1 (Anytime Goalscorer)

C Jerome (Birmingham) 2/1

P Odemwingie (West Brom) 5/4

2pt double @ 9/1

West Brom to score 3 or more goals (16/5)

Birmingham to score 2 or more goals (11/8)

Tuesday’s Predictions

Carling Cup performance to date +54pts

Carling Cup Betting

The quarter-final stage of the Carling Cup gets underway on Tuesday night with the current holders, Manchester United (3/4),facing a seemingly straight-forward task against Premier League strugglers West Ham (7/2).

Despite being somewhat of a bogey team to United in recent years, the Hammers have lost each of their last six games against Sir Alex Ferguson’s men, scoring just one goal and conceding 17! Any other week, West Ham manager Avram Grant could take solace from his sides hard-fought 3-1 win over Wigan at the weekend but at the same time Manchester United fired seven goals past Blackburn. In their last six meetings, United have scored 3 or more goals against West Ham on four occasions.

West Ham v Man United

In the other quarter-final taking place on Tuesday night, Arsenal (2/7), who are bidding to win their first silverware since 2005, are likely to come out all guns blazing as they play host to Wigan Athletic (10/1) at the Emirates Stadium. Arsene Wenger’s policy of blooding his young talent in the Carling Cup has been overlooked this season as the Frenchman looks to end Arsenal’s trophy drought. The North London club have been sensational in the opening period of recent matches and with a place in the Carling Cup semi-final up for grabs, expect the Gunners to set a fierce tempo right from kick-off.

Arsenal v Wigan

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Carling Cup Betting Tips

4pt double @ 7/2

Arsenal Half-Time/Full-Time (8/11)

Manchester United Half-Time/Full-Time (17/10)

2pt double @ 6/1

Arsenal to score 3 or more goals (evens)

Manchester United to score 3 or more goals (12/5)

Wednesday’s Predictions

Carling Cup performance to date +54pts

Carling Cup Betting

Newcastle boss Chris Hughton has made no secret of the fact that guaranteeing Premier League survival is his first priority this season and that will probably be reflected in the Magpies’ Carling Cup starting line-up against Arsenal.

With outside distractions still occupying the mind of Andy Carroll it seems likely that the England U21 striker, who scored the winner at West Ham on Saturday, will be one of those rested along with Kevin Nolan and Fabricio Collocini. But there could be recalls for James Perch, Wayne Routledge and Alan Smith, though Sol Campbell will miss out against his former club through injury and fellow centre-half Steven Taylor still isn’t match-fit.

United caused an upset when beating a below-strength Chelsea in the previous round at Stamford Bridge but it looks likely the Gunners will take to the field at St James’ Park with a much more recognisable starting XI and, after strolling to victory against 10-man Manchester City at Eastlands on Sunday, in confident mood.

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Arsenal included youngsters Carlos Vela, Jack Wilshere, Kieran Gibbs and Henri Lansbury in the last round at arch-rivals Tottenham but still managed to find the net four times, three of those goals coming in extra-time. Whatever side Arsene Wenger puts out nowadays, you know they are all going to be comfortable on the ball and well-drilled in where their responsibilities lie and you’d suspect even a full-strength Newcastle would struggle to match the North London side’s pace and movement.

Wenger may opt to give Cesc Fabregas a few days off as he’s only just returned from injury while Wilshere is in the midst of a three-game ban. But centre-back Laurent Koscielny could return following a back problem and Nicklas Bendtner and Theo Walcott both featured as substitutes at the weekend following lay-offs. There’s also the option of giving the promising Jay Emmanuel Thomas and third-choice goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny some game time.

The 5/6 about an Arsenal win in 90 minutes looks a decent call considering the overall strength of their squad compared to that of their hosts and Wenger, maybe stung by that oft-repeated fact that Arsenal haven’t lifted any silverware since 2005, does seem to be taking this competition rather more seriously this time around than he has in previous seasons. There are usually goals when either of these two teams are involved and it is 4/6 that more than 2.5 are scored in the match.

Newcastle v Arsenal Betting