English Football League Cup


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Date/Time: 29/11/2016 19:45 UK

Leeds Preview

Leeds United bounced back from the previous weekend’s defeat to Newcastle United with a win in a Yorkshire derby over Rotherham United – taking them into the top six as a result. Chris Wood opened the scoring inside the first quarter of an hour, before Souleymane Doukara added a second on the stroke of half-time, that after Millers’ forward Peter Odemwingie was dismissed for a rash challenge. Although Richard Wood pulled one back late on for the home side, Garry Monk’s men held on to see the game out and as a result climb up to 5th in the table. Monk deserves tremendous credit for the job he is currently performing at Elland Road, turning the club from perennial mid-to-lower table finishers to playoff contenders in just five months. Winning four of their last five in the league, they will be full of confidence heading into this one and will relish the opportunity to have a chance at claiming a famous scalp against a Liverpool side currently suffering with injuries in attacking areas. Although still early days in the Monk reign, there appears to be a greater tranquility surrounding Leeds this season compared to the circus of the Massimo Cellino reign thus far. Having defeated Fleetwood, Luton, Blackburn and Norwich to reach this stage of the competition, this will be by far their biggest test.

Liverpool Preview

Liverpool battled to a victory over Sunderland which in the context of their season could prove to be vital, breaking down David Moyes’ stubborn side to come out 2-0 winners at Anfield. The Reds might’ve lacked their usual tempo and decisiveness on the ball, but they finally made the breakthrough thanks to substitute Divock Origi, who cut in from the left and bent the ball past the excellent Jordan Pickford. With the clock running down, Sadio Mane won a penalty which James Milner comfortably dispatched, leaving Jurgen Klopp’s men on the coattails of leaders Chelsea, who came from behind to beat Tottenham 2-1. Still unbeaten since the second day of the Premier League season, it has been over three months since the Reds’ last defeat and they will now be hoping to extend their impressive run in this competition thus far. From their three League Cup ties, Liverpool have scored ten and conceded just once, beating two Championship sides en route to this stage of the competition in Burton Albion and Derby County, both away from home. However, Saturday’s clash with Sunderland saw Liverpool suffer a huge blow in the loss of Philippe Coutinho to a nasty ankle injury, while Roberto Firmino also limped off in the closing stages with a calf problem. With Adam Lallana and Daniel Sturridge also missing out through injury, Klopp may be forced to bring in one or two more of his more fringe players than he initially would’ve planned to.

Liverpool Team News
Danny Ings (knee) and Adam Lallana (groin) are both ruled out for Liverpool in this one. Philippe Coutinho (ankle) is all but definitely out, while the extent of the calf injuries to Roberto Firmino and Daniel Sturridge are yet to be discovered. Sheyi Ojo (back) could be involved due to the Reds’ injury problems.

Leeds Team News

Bailey Peacock-Farrell (hand), Lewie Coyle (knee) and Pablo Hernandez (hamstring) are all set to miss out for the away side through injury. Liam Bridcutt (foot) is making his way back to fitness but is unlikely to be risked here.

Predictions

Liverpool -1 handicap – 4/7


Over 2.5 match goals – 11/11