Carling Cup semis: 10th-11th Jan

[Swooperman]

10 Jan-19:45 Wigan v Arsenal 3.40 3.25 2.00
11 Jan-20:00 Blackburn v Man Utd 3.75 3.25 1.90

odds Bet365

[GaNgStA kEeKs]

Its all about how the sides are going to take this really isn't it.

Both Arsenal, Man Utd and Wigan have all been fielding second string sides in this competition with only Blackburn playing their strongest 11 so on that alone i'd like Blackburn to win it.

Going to wait a couple of days to see what the managers have to say on how they are approaching these games but on first look Blackburn look nice.

Absolutely flying at the minute and seem to really pick up their game against the bigger sides. Have great pace that will trouble United and are solid at home.

Already did United over at OT winning 2-1 and i see no reason why they can't achieve this again midweek.

Will be back later in week to give my full thoughts.

[all_funkt_up]

Blackburn are brilliant odds to win there. United have a conjested line-up, an unwanted cup replay a week on Tuesday ( i think ) and this is the lowest on their list of priorities I would say. Interesting to see if Vidic plays in this one as he didnt start today.

Would like to see the team news, but I see no reason to look past Blackburn on this one. Solid performance yesterday, they will win one of the cups this year I am sure.

Blackburn still 8.2 on betfair for this trophy, which in my mind is a massive slap on the chops to them. They have a very good chance of beating United. I am on them for this match anyhow.

[GETT1NLOTS]

Arsenal have little chance in the Premiership now so I would imagine they will start to take this competition a little more seriously. I wouldn't bet on this game myself as I see Wigan as worthy senmi final opponents.

Blackburn look a good shout but invariably when Man Utd look like they are worth laying they tend to win. So I'll leave this one alone too I think.

I never back on the Carling Cup so I don't know why I even bothered clicking on this thread.

[corsair]

Doesn't United being out of Europe make them all the more motivated to win this, since they're already just 2 games away from grabbing the trophy?

[zonker84]

From what I can gather from visiting a couple of Manchester United forums, most fans seem to think that they will be fielding their strongest team in midweek.

This stands to reason given that they rested most of their top players today. Interesting match, I still wouldn't back them to win though

[prinze]

I think that all the teams would want to field their strongest 11 at this point as they are very close to a silverware for the season, maybe would be wise to await the team news. Just my thoughts

[GaNgStA kEeKs]

Originally Posted by prinze

I think that all the teams would want to field their strongest 11 at this point as they are very close to a silverware for the season, maybe would be wise to await the team news. Just my thoughts

Yeah i agree with that Prinze. My worry to be honest is about Wigan the most as i seem to remember Paul Jewell in an interview after the last round i believe, possibly after the Newcastle game.

Anyways he was questioned as to whether he would continue to stick by his secnd string side for the entire cup campaign and he said along the lines of that if he feels they are playing well he will as they are the one's that have got them this far and they deserve it.

If this does end up being the case then i think Arsenal would become huge at that price.

[prinze]

Yes totally agree Kiko in fact Paul Jewel from the start has stated that his priority would be premiership and he would let his 2nd stringers have a go at this. Hope the price stays!

[Keith]

I'll think that they will all take it seriously by fielding strong line ups at this stage in the competition. (although Arsenal didn't the year that they played Middlesboro).

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

[Keith]

Arsenal squad for the Wigan game. Some notable absentees



Manuel Almunia
Mart Poom
Kerrea Gilbert
Francesc Fabregas
Johann Djourou
Philippe Senderos
Quincy
Freddie Ljungberg
Alexander Hleb
Sebastian Larsson
Jose Antonio Reyes
Arturo Lupoli
Nicklas Bendtner
Mathieu Flamini
Pascal Cygan
Gilberto

[all_funkt_up]

5 Straight wins for Blackburn and Blackburn beat United earlier in the season. They are sure to want it more than United and can see them winning here. United will have played 4 games in 10 days by the time they play Burton next week. Wenger has shown complete apathy towards this competition and I expect Fergie to do the same.

[Keith]

Wigan v Arsenal

Wigan rested a number of first choice players against Leeds last Saturday. They all appear to be in the squad for tomorrrow and I would expect them to feature.

One can only conclude that having done his utmost to get dumped out of this competition in earlier rounds that Mr Jewell fancies a trip to Cardiff having come this far.

If so then he will need some kind of a lead to take to Highbury.

Arsenal have no established stars available in defence due to injury/Internationals and Wenger decision to rest others.

A central defence partnership of Senderos/Cygan looks fairly dodgy.

The midfield looks OK although Freddy and Hleb have not set the world alight this season.

I think Wigan are overpriced @ 3.70 and are worth a smallish investment taking into account of Arsenals poor form away from Highbury this season

[GaNgStA kEeKs]

Just been reading about on how Wigan are looking for the game tomorow.

Came across the following on fan forums...

watched the squad train today and looked more than fired up for the task ahead against those landeners i feel a wigan win @ the jjb on the cards,new austrian boy looks sharp!

Wigan full back Ryan Taylor will miss the game with a season long injury it looks like. The Austrian Scharner should replace him and he sounds to be sufficent cover.

De Zeuw looks set towin his injury fight also so he being available is big news and a big boost for Wigan.


15 fit players for the game which is quite worrying in a way but this works in the favour of the Wigan punters in a way as this means by the sound of things that Jewell is going to be forced to play a very strong line up due to injuries to many reserve players although his starting line up defence is hit badly.




Thierry Henry
Robin Van Persie
Jens Lehman
Sol Campbell
Robert Pires
Lauren
Kolo Toure+ Eboue on african nations

Thats the state of affairs with regards to the players Arsenal are resting. Thats a big part of their defence and attack being removed which will certainly work against them.

Its games like these they seem to rely on that little bit of Henry magic and without that i really don't fancy them odds on.

[GaNgStA kEeKs]

Wigan Athletic manager Paul Jewell has just fifteen fully fit professionals to chose from ahead of his side's Carling Cup semi-final clash with Arsenal.

Arsene Wenger is insisting he will stick with his younger players for the trip, but many Latics fans feel this is complacent. Wenger said: "I will rest a few players so we will have quite a young team.

"We have lost Robin van Persie who has a broken toe, but Jose Antonio Reyes should be available. We have lost Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Eboue as well, they have gone to the African Nations Cup."

Paul Jewell on the other hand doesn't have the option of resting his stars. The Latics manager has just fifteen fit players for the game.

A number of defenders have gone down with injury over the past few weeks and look set to miss the clash.

Leighton Baines (hamstring), Ryan Taylor (foot), Emerson Thome (cheek), David Wright (muscle pull) and Arjan De Zeeuw (knock) are all set to sit the game out.

This misfortune will see new signing Paul Scharner make his debut, although this may come at left back, rather than his favoured position of centre back.

Jewell said: "We've only got fifteen fit bodies for tomorrow, so it just shows that we do need to bring some bodies in.

Just found the article confirming what i read on the forums.

Wenger certainly isn't bothered about this game. Obviously a win would be nice but he isn't going to make a big go of it whereas i lke the attitude Jewell is adopting about Wigan being under no pressure whatsoever.

Similar position to time they played Newcastle and it worked a treat here so im expecting something similar.

Yeah, definately like the look of Wigan. Some nice bets although i do think covering yourself with a draw could be the safest option but i do like...

Wigan to win @ 3.70
Wigan DNB @ 2.50
Wigan to Qualify @ 3.00
Wigan +0.5 Asian @ 1.8

Picking one of them certainly looks profitable.