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Cardiff City vs Liverpool Preview
Who will triumph at Wembley on Sunday in the 2011/12 Carling Cup final? Cardiff City and Liverpool have a great chance of clinching silverware.
Team News
Conway and Cowie should both be available for Cardiff City. These two players have been so influential for their team in the Carling Cup. Miller may be deployed upfront as a loan striker in a 4-5-1 formation.
Meanwhile, Liverpool may go for a 4-4-2 formation. Andy Carroll could start alongside star striker Luis Suarez. Henderson may occupy the right wing with Steven Gerrard and Charlie Adam in midfield while Craig Bellamy is expected to start as a left winger.
2012 Carling Cup final: How Liverpool & Cardiff City reached Wembley – Recap
Cardiff City and Liverpool will clash on Sunday with the Carling Cup trophy at stake. Here’s a recap of how the two teams made it to Wembley.
Cardiff City’s road to the 2012 Carling Cup final at Wembley
First Round – August 10, 2011: Oxford United 1-3 (a.e.t.) Cardiff City
• Conway gave Cardiff City the lead within the first quarter of an hour but Oxford United equalized after 30 minutes. Both sides failed to take the lead during normal time so extra-time football was needed. Whittingham (98’) and Jarvis (121’) settled things on a positive note for the visitors.
Out of the FA Cup and the Carling Cup: What’s left for Man United in England this year?
A 2-0 win over Stoke brought United level on terms with City in the title race- the only competition they realistically have a chance to win this season.
A top side always looks to ensure wins in two domestic competitions. In England, there are three- the Premier League, FA Cup and Carling Cup. The Premier League and FA Cup reign over the Carling Cup in terms of importance. This season, United is not in the Carling Cup or FA Cup.As the ball sailed past David De Gea in the dying minutes in the FA Cup, United fans knew that dreams of a cup victory would have to be pushed back at-least up to mid 2013. De Gea must have felt his own dreams of becoming a hero at United sink away with his side’s cup dreams.
Will Liverpool be able to banish City from the Carling Cup?
In the Premier League, these two teams are worlds apart; however, in the Carling Cup, it is the underdog who holds the advantage.
Liverpool is a team of multiple facades. On one hand, the top sides don’t fancy facing them as Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea would testify. On the other hand, the smaller sides always fancy their chances against them as Bolton proved against them. Liverpool can play wonderful fast-paced football as they showed last season in their thrashings of Fulham and City. Liverpool can also defend doggedly as they showed in the first leg of the Carling Cup. They kept a potent City attack out for the entire ninety minutes while bagging one at the other end themselves.
Manchester City vs Liverpool Preview
Manchester City will play host to Liverpool in the first leg of the Carling Cup semi-final on Wednesday.
A win for either team would go some way towards boosting morale. City were eliminated from the FA Cup last weekend at the hands of arch rival Manchester United, while Liverpool have went from one PR disaster to another thanks to Stewart Downing being charged of an alleged attack on his ex-girlfriend.Vincent Kompany will be suspended after being sent off in the FA Cup defeat to United, the club’s appeal against the decision was yesterday dismissed by the FA.
Gareth Barry will return from suspension for City, while Mario Balotelli, Edin Dzeko and star playmaker David Silva are injury doubts.
Leading goal scorer Sergio Aguero is expected to lead the City attack, and the Argentine striker will be looking to add to his tally of only one goal so far in this competition.
Big Manchester City vs Liverpool clash adds to Carling Cup semifinals excitement
So Manchester City are out of the FA Cup. Expect the Citizens to pour their anger on Liverpool in the semi-finals of the Carling Cup.
For the second time already this year, Manchester City and Liverpool will clash at the Etihad Stadium. The Blues hammered the Merseyside Reds 3-0 in both sides’ latest meeting. Midfielder Gareth Barry received a second-half red card but Sergio Aguero, Yaya Toure and James Milner all inscribed their names on the scoring sheet as the visitors produced virtually nothing from their huge time of ball possession.
This result helped Manchester City strengthen their authority at the top of the table despite the challenges posed by second-placed Manchester United and third-placed Tottenham Hotspur. The gap between City and Liverpool is currently of 14 points in the English Premier League but this statistic will probably not count during the Carling Cup semifinal tie.
Manchester City move into the Carling Cup semi-finals with their first win at Arsenal in 36 years
Sergio Aguero’s late winning goal earned Manchester City a 1-0 win over Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium last night.
The result continues City’s record of having not lost a domestic game so far this season, and ended a 10 game unbeaten run for the Gunners.City started the game with an aggressive mentality, and went close after 10 minutes when winger Adam Johnson cut inside and fired his shot just over the bar.
The Gunners went up the other end and created a chance only a minute later when Francis Coquelin sent over a dangerous cross, and Park Chu-Young turned it towards goal only to be denied by City goalkeeper Costel Pantilimon.
Pantilimon was called into action again soon after when he tipped a long range Alex Oxade-Chamberlain effort around the goalpost.
Liverpool advance to Carling Cup Semi-Finals, increase pressure on Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas
Liverpool moved into the Carling Cup final four with a 2-0 win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge last night.
The game means rejuvenated Liverpool are unbeaten in their last 11 games, while Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas will have to face more speculation about his job security over the coming weeks.Second half goals from Maxi Rodriguez and Martin Kelly secured an important 2-0 win for the Reds and moved them a step closer to winning their first trophy since the 2006 FA Cup.
Before kickoff, the crowd paid tribute to recently deceased Gary Speed with a minute’s applause. The emotional tribute moved Liverpool striker Craig Bellamy to tears, Bellamy is a former teammate of Speed, and honored his late friend with an impressive individual display.
England Carling Cup Preview: Nov 29-30
Manchester United will play host to Crystal Palace in the Carling Cup quarter-finals on Wednesday.
Crystal Palace were the opposition when Sir Alex Ferguson won his first trophy as United manager. Lee Martin scored the winning goal in extra-time to give United a 1990 FA Cup final victory over Palace, and the two clubs have gone on very different paths since that day.United have won another 36 trophies since that 1990 final, and are currently second in the Premier League. Palace have not been back to any major cup finals since that day, and currently sit mid-table in the Championship table.
Sir Alex Ferguson has already declared his intention to field fresh legs for this game. Young players such as Zeki Fryers, Federico Macheda, Ravel Morrison and Pavel Pogba are expected to start.
Chris Smalling, Antonio Valencia and Darron Gibson could also feature for the Red Devils, after sitting out of the 1-1 weekend draw with Newcastle United in the Premier League.
Star midfielder Darren Ambrose is expected to start for Palace, while Jonathan Williams, Alex Marrow and Lee Hills are sidelined with injury.
In this preview:
Chelsea vs Liverpool & Arsenal vs Manchester City light up Carling Cup Last 8
The option of ending the 2011/12 season with at least one trophy in the bag still exists for Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City and Manchester United.
These English Premier League giants are all English Carling Cup contenders at the delight of millions of football fans across the world. Although Kenny Dalglish and Roberto Mancini have blasted the congestion of fixtures, the excitement of the public ahead of the League Cup quarter-finals hasn’t decreased.
In London on Tuesday night, two great games will unfold. Chelsea will host Liverpool at Stamford Bridge. This will be both sides’ second meeting in the space of ten days.
A few days ago in the English Premier League, Liverpool condemn bitter rivals Chelsea to a 2-1 defeat at the Bridge as Andre Villas-Boas’ Chelsea career went under scrutiny. The Merseyside Reds could embarrass the Blues once again.
Manchester United Reserves Give Sir Alex Ferguson Options After Carling Cup Win
Manchester United strolled into the Carling Cup quarter-finals on Tuesday night with a convincing 3-0 win at Aldershot.
The result in itself was not a surprise, but it will provide some relief for United after their 6-1 mauling at the hands of Manchester City over the weekend. Many players also performed well and allowed Sir Alex Ferguson some depth if he wants to make some changes to his team selection next time out.Last season’s Golden Boot winner Dimitar Berbatov, Michael Owen and Ecuadorian winger Antonio Valencia all found themselves on the score sheet in a performance that Sir Alex Ferguson described as disciplined and professional. This is a long way from his assessment of the weekend’s loss to City, when the United manager described their performance as “suicidal.”
Liverpool facing desirous Stoke City in the Carling Cup at the Britannia Stadium
Liverpool may get things very hard at the Britannia Stadium tonight. The Merseyside Reds lost at that venue earlier this season.
“Our home record is a proud one and due in no small measure to the tremendous backing we've had from our supporters,” Tony Pulis boldly reminded in a pre-match interview with the English press.“We will have our work cut out but I am sure that our fans will raise their game like the players will have to raise theirs if we are to get the right result,” the manager added.
“There will be a tremendous atmosphere for another cup game here but I hope a few more will decide come along to lend their support because we'll need it.
Park Chu-Young States His Case as Arsenal Advance in Carling Cup
Arsenal moved a step closer to ending their six-year trophy drought when they beat Bolton Wanderers 2-1 to move into the Carling Cup quarterfinals on Tuesday.
While Arsenal have rarely taken this competition seriously in the past, the level of disappointment they suffered after losing last season’s final suggests they put a lot of stock in the event nowadays. In the present scenario winning a trophy, any trophy at all will lift some pressure on Arsene Wenger. It is already unlikely that the Gunners will challenge for the league title, and the dominance of FC Barcelona makes the UEFA Champions League a long shot.
This means Wenger would be wise to take the domestic knockout competitions seriously so his team can achieve a tangible sign of progress and success.
Arsenal started this last 16 tie on the front foot, and South Korea captain Park Chu-Young forced Bolton goalkeeper Adam Bogdan into two good saves during the early exchanges.
6-1 losers Man United and Van Persie’s Arsenal in Carling Cup action tonight
It’s time for football fans of the English game to switch their attention from last weekend’s incredible round of matches in the Premier League to this week’s Carling Cup action.
What almost everyone has been talking about since Sunday afternoon is Manchester United’s terrible 6-1 loss to local rivals Manchester City. How Fergie could seat down to let his side suffer helplessly in the hands of the Sky Blues for a full 90 minutes is alarming. Manchester United commenced their season so well and their 8-2 triumph over Arsenal can be seen as the highlight of their marvelous early form. Lately, however, they stumbled against consistency.
It’s started with their 1-1 draw in the league away to Stoke City in which Wayne Rooney didn’t play. In the UEFA Champions League, Manchester United surprisingly failed to beat FC Basel.
Inspirational Liverpool Captain Steven Gerrard Could Return for Carling Cup Clash
Liverpool’s talismanic skipper Steven Gerrard has been sidelined with a groin injury for six months now.
Gerrard has developed a reputation over the years for digging Liverpool out of trouble and driving them on to success through sheer force of will.Memorable Gerrard moments include;
• With Liverpool staring elimination from the 2005 UEFA Champions League group stages in the face, Gerrard fired home a blistering strike to ensure progress to the knockout stages.
• In the Final of the same 2005 UEFA Champions League tournament, Liverpool found themselves 3-0 down at half-time to AC Milan. Gerrard scored the first goal, then won a penalty to drag the game back to 3-3 and Liverpool would go on to win a penalty shootout.
• Liverpool won the 2006 FA Cup Final on another penalty shootout after a 3-3 draw with West Ham United. Gerrard equalized to bring the game to 2-2 early in the second half, and fired home a dramatic last minute equalizer to force extra time.
Arsenal’s horrible defending comes from three major absences—Arsene Wenger
Arsenal's main problem right now seems to be about their defense. That's what has seen them give games away this season.
The crisis of the Gunners is yet to end. To think that they have conceded as many as 14 goals in 4 matches since their debut 0-0 draw against Newcastle is alarming. On match-day 3 of the English Premier League, Arsenal conceded 8 goals to Manchester United. Last weekend, they allowed 4 to Blackburn Rovers. That game and the one at home to Liverpool also means that Arsenal have now scored 3 own goals.
“A lack of concentration, a lack of communication, a lack of co-ordination and individual urgency,” Wenger told the press as he explained the reasons behind Arsenal’s poor defending this season.
Liverpool’s Kenny Dalglish taking Carling Cup seriously ahead of Exeter clash
Coach Kenny Dalglish is cautious but excited ahead of Exeter City vs Liverpool. This game is the highlight of the 2011/12 Carling Cup Second Round matches.
“We had a bad result last year against Northampton at home, and we'll do our best to avoid another bad result,” Kenny Dalglish said according to the club’s official website.“We want to do the very best we can in this competition and although there will be some changes in the personnel we put out, the attitude should be exactly the same as it was on Saturday at the Emirates.”
Kenny Dalglish may feature a host of fringe players against Exeter City on Wednesday. However, the iconic man insists that complacency has not and will not affect Liverpool. The manager kept revealing his thoughts, stating:
No Europe but Carling Cup is a must—Carragher ahead of Exeter City vs Liverpool
Despite Exeter's low status as a team, Jamie Carragher has branded Liverpool's Carling Cup match as "massive".
For the first time in almost 12 years, Liverpool will commence their League Cup campaign from the Second Round. The Merseyside Reds will come up against Exeter City and Jamie Carragher is ready to inspire his team to a great start as they aim to clinch the title come February 2012.Liverpool will be lifting their 8th Football League Cup title if they clinch glory this season. For Jamie Carragher, a triumph in 2012 will revive the memories of 2001 and 2003 while it will put aside the disappointment of finishing as a runner-up in the competition in 2005.
“Exeter is a massive game for us. We haven't been in the Carling Cup at this stage for a long time,” Carragher told Liverpool’s official website on Tuesday.
Ex-Liverpool striker John Aldridge backs Kenny and co for Carling Cup glory
Former Republic of Ireland and Liverpool striker John Aldridge has big wishes for the Merseyside Reds in the Carling Cup this season. The 52-year-old is gearing up ahead of the Exeter City match.
As a player, John Aldridge won the Football League Cup once. This triumph happened during the 1985/86 season when he was at Oxford United. A year later, Aldridge reached the Football League Cup final again. This time, it was with Liverpool.However, he and the Merseyside Reds lost 2-1 to eventual winners Arsenal in front of 96,000 spectators at the Wembley Stadium. John Aldridge is now hoping Liverpool’s current team will do what his side couldn’t do in 1987. The former player stated on Liverpoolecho.co.uk:
“The Carling Cup is a priority for Liverpool this season and that’s something we haven’t said for many years. We want to get to Wembley and this competition offers us a great chance of doing that.”
August 12 to September 13 free preview continues on Setanta Sports
Setanta’s schedule info for matches between August 20 and August 28 sees English Premier League, CONCACAF Champions League and European football hitting the screens.
Setanta Sports’ August 12 to September 13 free preview continues as Manchester United vs Arsenal will be aired on Sunday, August 28.
Arsenal’s undecided tie against Udinese will also be the highlight of the UEFA Champions League playoffs on August 24. A day later, LA Galaxy vs LD Alajuelense will keep American soccer fans on the edge of their seats.
English Premier League:
Sunderland v Newcastle United: Saturday, August 20 @7am EST
Everton v Queens Park Rangers: Saturday, August 20 @10am EST