English FA CUP
2008-01-26 - Liverpool vs Havant&Waterlooville
A Sports Betting Pick by Duncan
Well, this is the type of fixture that over the years has made what the FA Cup a world reknowned competition as Liverpool take on non league side Havant & Waterlooville.And, how times have changed since Liverpool, in 1959, were last beaten by a non league side in the FA Cup. There's no doubt that Havant & Waterlooville will be thinking of the opportunity that they have to create FA Cup history, but more importantly for the club they will also be thinking about the financial reward of such a match.
Havant & Waterlooville put 4 goals past Swansea City in the last round to get to this stage of the FA Cup and Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has been cautious that the Liverpool squad do not get over confident coming into this game and has talked about respecting the opposition.
As for Liverpool - well, they have been in the news over the past few months more than they would have liked to. But on the eve of this game the new owners have secured their funding required, stadium plans have been 're announced', Rafa Benitez has the support of the new owners and on the player front news of Javier Mascherano's deal to stay at Liverpool has been more promising. So let's hope we can all move on.......
But it's now on the pitch where Liverpool need some good results. The events over the past few months have affected the team and it has shown in their results. This match ia a potential banana skin there's no doubt - but Rafa Benitez is expected to name a strong squad to avoid any embarresment.
Liverpool will the the outraging favourites for this game, and the gulf between the sides is huge. But it is 11 against 11 on the pitch - and when you compare the teams it hard to see anything else but Liverpool qualifying for the next round.
The Pick :
Liverpool 4-0
