Carling Cup semis: 10th-11th Jan

[GaNgStA kEeKs]

Originally Posted by Was

Its the two legged aspect that I don't like in that a win is not essential especially for the away side in the first game

Completely forgot about it being a 2 legged affair and i think this further strengthens the idea of laying both United and Arsenal.

Both sides would behappy to come away with a point or a narrow victory knowing they can throw their big guns on at home and expect a comfortable win in the end.

I bet unless Arsenal win 3-0 or so tonight that Arsene will field his strongest 11 in the return leg as if i was Wenger i'd be confident i could overturn any deficit with in reason at home to Wigan.

[kompressaur]

no bet for me but good luck if you have a bet on the game. I like the under 2.5 myself. Should be on live stream so i'll probably watch it.

[Keith]

Blackburn v Man U

On any view Blackburn are overpriced @ 4.33 and to me the only debate is the size of the stake.

They are in good form and a trophy beckons as well as a route into Europe.

I have learnt (the hard way) not to trust the hints that SAF gives out before a match about his team selection. The noises coming out of OT suggest that it may not be a full strength United because he has one eye on the Manchester derby which has an early kick off on Saturday. Maybe his big guns are more likely to start on the bench in case they are needed.

Trouble here is that Blackburn are far superior to Birmingham who they played in the last round when United also fielded a team which left out a few of the bigger names

I get the impression that MU will be looking for a European type 0-0 display tomorrow with the idea of winning it in the return leg on home soil (dangerous)

[Kaoru]

I'll wait for the linesup and decide if I want to back Wigan, but I've taken Wigan +0.25 @ 1.81 for 1st half betting

[kompressaur]

cheers Kaoru and welcome to TDP. Good luck tonight. I'm gonna take the unders just i reckon. I'll have a look at the prices in the shop. Got too many windows open to check.

[fasteddy]

I remember watching Wigan in the Leeds game ( even if I did switch off in 85th minute, wander thru to the computer and see that Leeds had scored, jumped up shouting and fell over the chair) and thinking that the pitch looked poor and how would Arsenal play in this game...Wigan weren't exactly free flowing themsleves and the condition of the surface had an impact on the players ability to control thier first touches, so it could be a scrappy affair.

Home side are solid at home and never give up, but all depends on Arsenals approach to the conditions. long balls over the top, lots of crosses into the box, that would seem to be the answer.....Wigan will get a lot of joy attacking down Cygans wing, he should be good for a few howlers.
Roberts will be hard to deal with for the makeshift backline , McCulloch showed how much of a threat he can be as well, so they do have the personnel to get a result to take to Highbury.

Hard to call, Wigan can be said to have a slight advantage on the surface having experienced the problems at the weekend, so maybe Wigan +0.5 , but this looks like an 'in running' betting game to me

[Wuntun]

I 2nd that Eddy, inrunning is the option im considering for tonite too, but you think Cygan will still play down the left considering him and Senderos are probably the only 2 recognised defenders/centrebacks in the named squad, though saying that, djourou is a centre back so you could be right and probably kerrea gilbert will occupy the right back.

It all looks all too inconspicuous to me at the moment, and without henry, bergkamp & sol in the side, im not sure where they will try and find and who they'll find in the team tonite to look to for influences when their under the cosh like in many of their away games this season. freddie ? reyes ? i dont know if they are those kind of players or have been this season to do so.

so inrunning for me too tonite.

[Kaoru]

Wigan: Pollitt, Chimbonda, De Zeeuw, Henchoz, McMillan, Teale, Bullard, Kavanagh, McCulloch, Roberts, Connolly

Subs: Filan, Scharner, Jackson, Francis, Johansson

Arsenal: Almunia, Gilbert, Senderos, Djourou, Cygan, Ljungberg, Flamini, Silva, Hleb, Owusu-Abeyie, Reyes

Subs: Poom, Bendtner, Lupoli, Fabregas, Larsson Go go go Wigan!

[wazik]

gonna listen to the first 5-10mins of this then lay Arsenal although they are now 2.38 on betfair looks like they have drifted a bit since I looked on Sunday

[GaNgStA kEeKs]

Originally Posted by Kaoru

Have to be quite happy with the Arsenal side now if you are on Wigan i have to say.

Arsenal don't have one player in that starting line up who has played well this season i don't think. They have all had very average seasons by their own standards and i definately think that backline is there for the taking.

And if things aren't working out for Arsenal you look at the bench and there isn't really anyone that would fill me with confidence that would be able to come on and change the game with a bit of magic.

Aye im going to go with the asian handicap and the Wigan to qualify bets.

Good luck

[GETT1NLOTS]

I'm very tempted to have a small bet on Wigan but I'm trying to stay disciplined enough to stay away from the Carling Cup. Arsenals team just looks so weak in comparison to their 'proper' side......

[Kaoru]

I'm on Wigan handicap +0.5, +0.25 and also 1st half +1/4 due to the fact that Arsenal is playing badly away from home this season, plus now with a 2nd team I seriously wonder how well they can fare against above average team like Wigan. Another fact is that Arsenal can always look forward to the return leg

[Hippy Dave]

Wigan wobbling a little though Gett1n, and though not their strongest there's plenty of class in that Arsenal side. No bet definitely looks the right option to me.

[wazik]

Arsenal drifting out to 2.5 now, I have taken a small lay of em now and may take some more in running, I fancy Wigan for this and think Arsenal will be happy with a draw to take back to Highbury.

[Kop66]

That Arsenal team can still open up an ageing Wigan defence, i can see Arsenal winning this still. Gilberto to score at anytime 10.00 and Hleb anytime 5.00.