Carling Cup semis: 10th-11th Jan

[GaNgStA kEeKs]

Originally Posted by dave (without a capital d)

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.

A lot of class yes, but none of them are fulfilling it Dave and thats the problem.

Ljunberg is having a very poor season. That game away to Charlton proved this with him missing simple chances he would slot away normally.

Reyes is another although i don't think he has been really that great since he has been at highbury bar a couple of exceptional games here and there.

Hleb looks lost and not a tenth of the player he was for Stuttgart and the Belarus national side.

Gilberto has had a tough time with injuries so i will give him the benefit of the doubt.

I am removing my Wigan to qualify bet as i keep forgetting this is a two legged affair but the Asian still stands.

While Wigan have been wobbling this is the kind of game they need to get their season back on track. All the pressure is on Arsenal allowing them to play their own game.

Arsenal's away record is very poor with them going something like 1-1-3 in their last 5 league away games.

Add to that the fact that a draw or a 1-0 defeat would suit Arsenal to the bone makes me like the asian handicap bet even more.

I have to say though. Whenever i back Arsenal they bugger up, but whenever i lay them they win. So make of that what you will

[Hippy Dave]

Originally Posted by Kiko

A lot of class yet, but none of them are fulfilling it Dave and thats the problem.

Not on a regular basis, but it will only take one of them to turn it on for a short spell and Arsenal win. Not saying they will but couldn't take Wigan in their current form with so much class against them. Maybe 5 weeks ago, but not now.

[all_funkt_up]

I think Wigan have the edge, they are a cohesive unit. For all the talk of apathy about this competition (and the people of Wigan seem to have voted with their feet tonight) I see that as a decent side. Cant see they have rested many. Maybe they were playing it down and taking it more seriously that we at first expected.

[GaNgStA kEeKs]

Originally Posted by all_funkt_up

I think Wigan have the edge, they are a cohesive unit. For all the talk of apathy about this competition (and the people of Wigan seem to have voted with their feet tonight) I see that as a decent side. Cant see they have rested many. Maybe they were playing it down and taking it more seriously that we at first expected.

Seems to be a strong side due to the fact they have so many reserve players injured AFU.

Would've been interesting to see how they would have approached this game if they had a fully fit squad.

Been a very dire game to begin with though i must say

[Kaoru]

to Wigan!

And now for Blackburn vs. Man Utd

Here's what SAF said:
"Blackburn will play their strongest side tomorrow but we won't," said Ferguson.
"I will make changes from the FA Cup game at Burton because I have to look at the City match on Saturday morning.

Will need to look at the linesup again and see if it's the same squad who faced Burton will be lining up against Rovers tonight. Main key will be in the engine room, if there's no creativity there then it will be the same result as last week's draw or worst, a defeat.

I'm going for 1st Half betting +1/4 on Blackburn at 1.82

[Keith]

Here are the squads for tonight;

Blackburn Rovers (from): Friedel, Neill, Khizanishvili, Nelsen, Matteo, Bentley, Tugay, Savage, Pedersen, Dickov, Kuqi, Enckelman, Emerton, Bellamy, Thompson, Gray, Peter, Johnson, Gresko, Todd, Reid.

Manchester United (from): Van der Sar, Howard, Neville, Bardsley, Brown, Ferdinand, Silvestre, Evra, O'Shea, Richardson, Ronaldo, Fletcher, Smith, Scholes, Giggs, Van Nistelrooy, Saha, Rooney, Rossi, Solskjaer.



It doesn't look as though Fergie will play too many fringe players after all. My guess is that he'll start with his strongest line up and see how it goes in the hope that he can substitute his little gems in the last half hour to keep them fresh for the Man C game on Saturday.

I still think the price on Blackburn is good but I accept that this game could go either way. Anyway my money @ 4.33 is already committed on a Rovers victory although I was more confident of a Wigan win last night

[GaNgStA kEeKs]

Hmmm im not too sure Was as due to this being a 2 legged affair as if Man Utd could get a result similar to Arsenal's yesterday i think they would fancy their chances 2nd leg with full side out.

Howard, Brown, O Shea, Richardson, Ronaldo, Fletcher, Saha and Solksjaer. I reckon they will all start and if i was Blackburn i wouldn't be very worried to be honest.

The team will most likely change from Saturday but i don't imagine it will be anywhere near full strength and Sir Alex will rotate his squad again.

Blackburn have turned into a bit of a bogey side for United going unbeaten against them in their last 4 games now.

Man.Utd 1-2 Blackburn
Man.Utd 0-0 Blackburn
Blackburn 1-1 Man.Utd
Blackburn 1-0 Man.Utd

I do think that Hughes has a side capable of causing this United side plenty of trouble compared with many other clubs.

Not allowing me to copy team news for Blackburn.

Anyways Hughes has a complete clean bill of health.

Sergio Peter is expected to feature at some point after putting in a great display against QPR at the weekend.

Steven Reid returns and he has taking on a new lease of life this season. On the goal sheet recently recently and supporting the attack very well similar to how Pederson has been doing for them this season.

Moekena is back too after returngin from South Africa and he wll add that extra bit of steal and security to the side should he go straight into the line up.

Blackburn are on a really good run at the minute winning their last 5 games on the bounce so the momentum is certainly with them.

Bellamy should start which is a big bonus as he caused United a ton of problems at OT with his pace and skill.

Whoever plays upfront though im happy with as the three strikers are all on form at the moment with Bellamy(9 goals), Dickov(7 goals) and Kuqi(6 goals).

It will be a tough ask for Blackburn to overcoe United but with United happy to come away with a point or a narrow defeat the smart money should be on Blackburn.

Recommended Bets

Blackburn Asian +0.5 @ 1.85
Blackburn DNB @ 2.62
Blackburn win @ 3.9

[Lithas]

Originally Posted by Kaoru

I'm going for 1st Half betting +1/4 on Blackburn at 1.82

Where do you find that 1st half bet, can't find but I might not be looking good enough.

[kompressaur]

Hello and welcome to TDP Lithas. I cant see any first half asian handicap bets myself. After some joy on the unders last night im taking the over 2.5 @ evens (william hills) tonight

[Lithas]

Thank you Kompressaur, but nice to hear it isn't only me who can't find them.

[Kaoru]

1st Half betting is available in Asia, I place bets with my local books

[kompressaur]

cheers Kaoru and welcome to TDP

[wazik]

For all the reasons already in here I think blackburn are a good price but that Man U squad does look strong.... although I agree with Kiko, if Man U dont get off to a flyer in this I think they would be happy with a draw or even losing 1-0 and taking it back to old trafford. Gonna go have a look at the starting line up, if Rooney and Van Nistelrooy dont start I am gonna lay Man U although I think its prolly a given that one of them will as they are both in the squad posted. I thought I fancied a lay of Man U but the squad has put me off it now.

[Kaoru]

Here's the official squad for tonight

Blackburn: Friedel, Neill, Todd, Nelsen, Gray, Bentley, Savage, Tugay, Pedersen, Kuqi, Bellamy

Subs: Enckelman, Khizanishvili, Emerton, Dickov, Reid

Man Utd: Van der Sar, Neville, Ferdinand, Brown, Silvestre, Ronaldo, Fletcher, Smith, Giggs, Rooney, Saha

Subs: Howard, van Nistelrooy, O'Shea, Bardsley, Rossi

[GaNgStA kEeKs]

Aye Wazik the starting line up does make me have second thoughts now and if anything im only going to chance Blackburn +0.5 on the asian handicap i think.

Im really not convinced on their midfield though. Ronaldo flatters to decieve in the majority of the games i see and rarely has an end product to it.

Giggs is ageing now and becoming less effective. Fletcher i don't really rate although he played well in this position against Arsenal and Smith i don't rate at the minute although i do think he will grow into the position in time.

Would've rather Rooney didn't play and Vn Nistelrooy did instead as Rooney really is the main driving force in this side at the minute.

Very tight game i'd imagine, a draw would suit me but i wouldn't mind Blackburn nicking a winner