I'm going to break a couple rules I set for myself tomorrow. First, that I would stay away from FA Cup/Carling cup matches, as they tend to be unpredictable and you can never gage how motivated a team is, as well as alot of reserves playing. The second rule that I'm going to break is that I would stay away from betting on Liverpool for the time being, as they have been piss poor the last couple months. Having said that, no play yet for me as I want to see the starting lineup, but a strong lean on their game against Havant & Waterlooville:
Liverpool -3
Congrats to Havant & Waterlooville getting this far. To be honest, until a week ago I didn't know who the heck they were. They are an example of the magic of the FA Cup. They play in a conference called the Blue Square South Table. Not even in the Football League. Way down there in the FA pyramid. They beat Swansea who play in the Football League One, two leagues below the EPL. That in itself was impressive. But this is a MASSIVE and I mean MASSIVE step up in class for them. This is like an A league baseball team going up against a decent MLB team. They have absolutely no shot of getting anything in this one. They will be living a dream and enjoying their experience playing at Anfield, a dream that very few low level soccer clubs get to enjoy. And the club will enjoy getting a hefty payday from the gates. Havant & Waterlooville have won their FA Cup just by getting here. On the other hand, Liverpool needs to get some respectability back in their game. They have stumbled badly the last few times out. But they are finally getting their off field issues ironed out. They have secured their funding, a new stadium has been announced, and the owners have reannounced confidence in Rafa Benitez. All that leaves is to get some decent results on the pitch, and this is a very good spot for them to do that. There would be no bigger embarassment for them than to not win by a decent margin against a non league team like Havant & Waterlooville. I'm comfortable laying 3 goals in this one, because if Havant & Waterlooville keeps it that close, there could be more rumblings. I expect nothing more than another blowout win, as witnessed in their last FA Cup match against Luton.
PICK: Liverpool -3
Predicted score 6-0 Liverpool.
Again, this is only a lean. I'm going to check to see what roster Benitez throws out for this one.
Liverpool -3
Congrats to Havant & Waterlooville getting this far. To be honest, until a week ago I didn't know who the heck they were. They are an example of the magic of the FA Cup. They play in a conference called the Blue Square South Table. Not even in the Football League. Way down there in the FA pyramid. They beat Swansea who play in the Football League One, two leagues below the EPL. That in itself was impressive. But this is a MASSIVE and I mean MASSIVE step up in class for them. This is like an A league baseball team going up against a decent MLB team. They have absolutely no shot of getting anything in this one. They will be living a dream and enjoying their experience playing at Anfield, a dream that very few low level soccer clubs get to enjoy. And the club will enjoy getting a hefty payday from the gates. Havant & Waterlooville have won their FA Cup just by getting here. On the other hand, Liverpool needs to get some respectability back in their game. They have stumbled badly the last few times out. But they are finally getting their off field issues ironed out. They have secured their funding, a new stadium has been announced, and the owners have reannounced confidence in Rafa Benitez. All that leaves is to get some decent results on the pitch, and this is a very good spot for them to do that. There would be no bigger embarassment for them than to not win by a decent margin against a non league team like Havant & Waterlooville. I'm comfortable laying 3 goals in this one, because if Havant & Waterlooville keeps it that close, there could be more rumblings. I expect nothing more than another blowout win, as witnessed in their last FA Cup match against Luton.
PICK: Liverpool -3
Predicted score 6-0 Liverpool.
Again, this is only a lean. I'm going to check to see what roster Benitez throws out for this one.
