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Liverpool and Middlesbrough will square off at Anfield in the third round of the Capital One Cup.
I was honestly expecting Liverpool to do pretty well this season, but it seems more and more likely that Suarez`s loss is irreplaceable. ‘Pool brought in a huge number of players, similar to Tottenham last year, but they just can`t regain their rhythm and are playing poor football right now – the hosts barely won against Ludogorets in the UCL via a 93rd minute penalty, went on to lose 3-1 to West Ham in the weekend and now, depleted by energy, they have to host an in form Middlesbrough side. Brendan Rodgers is expected to make wholesale changes in the squad and very few regulars will start – however, this year Liverpool has the required depth to compete on multiple fronts.
Middlesbrough is on the back of a 4-0 win over Brentford and the visitors are playing outstanding football right now, winning 3 games on the spin (some tough games as well, like away at Cardiff) and climbing to the 5th place in the Championship. Seems Aitor Karanka will do a good jub at Middlesbrough and he is expected to field the best available lineup at Anfield, hoping to produce a memorable upset. However, playing this game on the road will be a handicap, as Anfield is a scary venue for any team.
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Team news & lineups
Aside from resting a number of players, Brendan Rodgers will also miss Glen Johnson, Coutinho, Can, Allen, Sturridge, Flanagan and possibly Henderson. For Middlesbrough Whitehead is suspended, while Damia and Carayol are injured.
Liverpool: Jones – Manquillo, Skrtel, Toure, Enrique – Lucas, Rossiter (Henderson) – Lallana, Markovic, Borini – Lambert
Middlesbrough: Konstantopoulos – Fredericks, Omeruo, Gibson, Friend – Reach, Clayton, Leadbitter, Adomah – Bamford – Kike
A Liverpool win is rightfully favored by the odds but I feel 1.45 – 1.50 is just too low, as the circumstances are piling up against the hosts here. We have all the usual factors for an upset here: Liverpool is out of form, they play their 3rd match in one week, they will field the reserve team and they meet a decent, in form side that can surely play football – Middlesbrough are no mugs. Expect a very tough game for ‘Pool, as the substitutes will struggle to find cohesion, while Middlesbrough will view this as the match of the season. My tip is Middlesbrough to cover the 1 goal asian handicap and I don`t rule out a massive upset. Prediction: Liverpool – Middlesbrough 1-2.
Pick: Middlesbrough (+1 Asian Handicap)
Odds: 2.04 @ Pinnacle
Stake: 8
Possible profit: 8.32
Event date: 23 September
