English FA CUP
2011-01-09 - Manchester United vs Liverpool
A Sports Betting Pick by Cruiser
Analysis:The highlight of the third round matches no doubt will be the clash between Manchester United against Liverpool at Old Trafford. Interestingly the last time these two sides met in the FA Cup it was Liverpool who were triumphant and they went on to lift the trophy.
However, the current Liverpool side are a pale shadow of the side that beat West Ham United in the famous 2006 showpiece and have it all to prove when they head to the Theatre of Dreams this weekend.
Liverpool have sacked Roy Hodgson and appointed Kenny Daglish as the caretaker until the end of the season in the latest club's development.
Both sides suffered embarrassing, if not humiliating exits in the FA Cup last term and they will not want to make an early exit this time round.
But United who were beaten by Leeds United last season are in great form coming into this clash. They have only suffered one defeat in all competitions and are top of the Premiership standings.
The Red Devils will want nothing better than a win against Liverpool and United have still to fully avenge the 4-1 humbling Liverpool gave them at Old Trafford in 2008.
As fgor the team news, United will wait to see if Wayne Rooney is fit to start the clash after missing their midweek win over Stoke City. Rio Ferdinand was also absent on Tuesday night but the experienced defender has been given the all-clear to face the Reds while Edwin Van der Sar is nearing full health after being struck down with a flu virus recently.
Van der Sar remains doubtful and Ferguson has confirmed Tomasz Kuszczak will deputise, even though new signing Anders Lindegaard is now available to United.
Meanwhile the likes of Paul Scholes (groin) and John O'Shea (calf) will miss out as Ferguson has hinted he could very well stick to the same side that he used over the New Year period.
Liverpool meanwhile suffered their ninth defeat and as a result that was the last straw for Roy Hodgson and he was replaced by Kenny Daglish.
The good news is Daglish will be able to call upon Raul Meireles after the Portugal international returns from an ankle injury. Fabio Aurelio was also absent at Ewood Park and the Brazilian full-back will be pushing for a start. The likes of centre-back Daniel Agger who came off the bench in midweek could return while Aurelio could come in for Martin Skrtel (stomach) and Paul Konchesky (leg).
Dirk Kuyt could return after making a substitute against Blackburn which means that Joe Cole or Maxi Rodriguez missed out. Liverpool vice-captain Jamie Carragher will once again sit out this match as he continues to recover from a dislocated shoulder, otherwise Daglish has a fully fit squad to choose from.
Take Manchester United and give the 3/4 ball here.
Cheers and good luck,
Cruiser
The Pick :
Manchester United 1-0
FIXED ODDS BETTING TIP :
Take Manchester United to win here.
