Wolves v Liverpool
FA Cup tips: More misery for Liverpool while Leeds face stern Cardiff challenge
With Liverpool’s Premier League title hopes in the mud, the Reds will be determined to
make progress in the FA Cup as they look to end the season with some sort of domestic
silverware.
On Tuesday, Jurgen Klopp’s men will take on Wolves in a third-round replay as they look to
make a much-needed U-turn in results.
The Reds hit a new low at Brighton at the weekend after they endured a 3-0 drubbing –
their second straight defeat in the league.
To make matters worse, Liverpool are winless in their last three games and have conceded
eight goals during that period.
Wolves will also take a lot of encouragement from the fact that Klopp’s side have failed to
keep a clean sheet in nine straight games.
Julen Lopetegui is slowly working his magic at Molineux, with the new manager leading the
club out of the relegation zone at the weekend courtesy of a 1-0 victory over West Ham.
Wolves may be winless in eight games against the Reds – including seven defeats – though
considering Liverpool’s current form, this is the perfect time to back the resurgent
underdogs.
We’re tipping Wolverhampton to win by a margin of one goal. Alternatively, you could back
the hosts to win 2-1 in the correct score market.
Key stats
- Liverpool are winless in three games, conceding eight goals in the process
- Liverpool have failed to keep a clean sheet in nine games
- Wolves are winless vs Liverpool in seven attempts
West Brom vs Chesterfield
Wolves aren’t the only West Midlands side involved in cup-replay action as West Brom
prepare to host National League outfit Chesterfield at The Hawthorns.
If the two teams had met at the start of the season, the bookmakers would’ve been
inundated with confident punters looking to place a buck on the fifth-tier side.
It’s easy to see why. Last October the Baggies were strong relegation candidates in the
Championship as they sat 23 rd with 14 points to their name from 16 games.
Carlos Corberan was drafted in to save the sinking ship and 11 league matches later, West
Brom sit sixth having been miraculously transformed into play-off and promotion
contenders.
Chesterfield, who held the Baggies to a 3-3 draw in the first game, certainly offer a credible
threat ahead of the replay.
However, West Brom should have enough quality to deal with the challenge and seal their
place in the fourth round. With that in mind, we’re backing the hosts to win and the match to
produce over 2.5 goals.
Key stats
- West Brom have won nine of their last 11 games
- Chesterfield have lost just two of their last 15 matches
Leeds United vs Cardiff City
Both Leeds United and Cardiff City are flirting with relegation in their respective divisions,
and a cup replay is certainly not ideal for their survival ambitions.
Manager Jesse Marsch is under growing pressure at Elland Road, with his side winning just
two games across all competitions since August.
Results, however, may be somewhat misleading. For instance, Leeds dominated
proceedings in Friday’s 2-1 loss to Aston Villa, producing 16 shots and 53 dangerous
attacks.
Unfortunately for the Whites, their inability to turn chances into goals is becoming a major
concern.
Cardiff – who have scored the fewest goals in the Championship this season – have similar
issues. However, the Welsh outfit are also defensively strong having conceded fewer goals
than Championship play-off contenders Middlesbrough and Blackburn.
Another close game is on the cards and we’re backing this tie to go all the way to penalties.
Leeds to win from the spot is our recommendation.
Key stats
- Leeds have kept one clean sheet in 11 outings
- Cardiff have scored the fewest goals in the Championship
