Wembley awaits – Carling Cup Semi Final, Second leg. Cardiff City vs Crystal Palace

Cardiff City host Crystal Palace tomorrow night in the second leg of the Carling Cup Semi Final. Palace hold a slender one goal advantage from the first leg. Cardiff, still aggrieved at a seemingly legitimate disallowed Kenny Miller goal, will be looking to turn their fortunes around and reach Wembley for the fourth time in four years. The sides are led by two young Scots, Malky Mackay and Dougie Freedman. The up-and-coming managers will be looking to achieve something they never did as a player, qualify for a major final.

(Freedman and Mackay, well regarded)

Depending on what you consider to be the Eagles best XI will determine how many players you think Freedman decided to rest on Saturday in the Eagles’ defeat to Blackpool, some claiming up to 9 players were left out of his side. All of those rested will be available for Palace come tomorrow night, the visitors also welcome back the tricky Sean Scannell (ban) and Alex Marrow and former Derby and Exeter man Dean Moxey (injuries) to their squad. Malky Mackay’s focus remains on the league fielding his best available side against Portsmouth on Saturday, the likelihood is that the game will come too soon for full-back Kevin McNaughton whereas French striker Rudy Gestede may be fit enough for a place on ‘le bench’ meaning Mackay will stick with the same side that picked up all three points against their 2008 FA Cup final opponents – the only decision the ex Watford man will need to take is who to play in goal.

The league fixture between the sides back in November in the Welsh capital saw the home side coming out on top with a 2-0 victory courtesy of goals from Kenny Miller and Peter Whittingham. Palace are yet to return from the hosts new Cardiff City Stadium collecting anything more than a point. The Bluebirds' recent league form is good, in the last 8 games they’ve won 4, drawn 3 and lost just 1, in contrast Palace have won 3, drawn 1 and lost 4, in those 8 games Palace have found it difficult to find the back of the net, scoring just seven times. This trend isn’t out of the ordinary as in their 27 league games to date they’ve breeched the opposition defence on a lowly 26 occassions.

The first goal in this match is crucial; if Palace, backed by the best part of 4000 travelling fans, take the lead this one could be all over bar the shouting. However should Cardiff take the lead they rarely surrender it. The visitors are yet to draw a game away from Selhurst Park this season, a fact that only adds weight to which ever side scores first is most likely going to go on and win this one. Will Palace try to defend what they have? If so, they could be in trouble, as Cardiff have the players that could hurt Freedman’s men. The aforementioned Miller and Whittingham assisted by Joe Mason all have the ability to cause problems. Whittingham, linked with a January move to the Premier League, is Cardiff’s key man, the former Villa player takes free kicks and penalties and is available at a juicy 11/4 with Paddy Power (just 2/1 elsewhere) to score at anytime – a bet we think is worth taking.

(Peter Whittingham, 'he does what he wants' pictured here with Kenny Miller)

Cardiff buoyed by Craig Conway’s late strike on the weekend will have their tails up, not much is being said to the press by the Welsh side which contrasts to that of Palace, clearly this is one of the biggest games in the clubs' recent history. We think that with home advantage Cardiff will prove too strong for Palace, the Welsh side can be backed at 4/5 to win in 90 minutes.

Selections

Cardiff to beat Crystal Palace in 90 minutes at 4/5 with William Hill

Peter Whittingham to score at anytime at 11/4 with Paddy Power

Midweek football - Spurs to up title charge

Wednesday night sees action from both the Premier League between Tottenham Hotspur & Everton & a rather glamorous Carling Cup semi final tie as Manchester City host Liverpool, both games see all 4 teams missing key players & that could make things interesting. We're picking our best bets as usual, trying to follow up a relatively successful weekend of FA Cup football but not so great NFL action, as ever you can follow us on Twitter by clicking the Follow button above.

(PFA player of the year Gareth Bale can show why he's the Premier League's number one)

Harry Redknapp has assembled a team & squad of real strength at Spurs & they do now deserve to be talked about as potential league winners with current leaders Man City having similar questions to them to answer with regards to mental fortitude on the run in & Man United having problems with consistency & a distinctly underwhelming midfield. This game against Everton sees them play the game in hand that they've held right from the start of the season & they will be desperate to win this & their next home game against Wolves before facing City at the Etihad. Spurs injury problems come at arguably already the weakest part of the team with Ledley King & William Gallas missing from defence with hamstring & calf strains respectively, Everton probably aren't the team to take advantage after not scoring more than once in their last 7 league games & their top scorers in the league having a 'massive' 3 goals apiece. More of a worry for Spurs is that the excellent Scott Parker is doubtful for the game as he is so influential in nearly every game he plays, Jake Livermore could come in to replace him & although he isn't top quality yet should have enough experience around him to perform creditably. With most of the first team rested for the cup tie against Cheltenham they'll be primed for this one & can make the most of an Everton side missing Tim Cahill, Leon Osman, Jack Rodwell, Tony Hibbert, Ross Barkley & key man Phil Jagielka. Everton barely have enough squad depth to cope with one injury let alone 6 & couldn't afford to rest players against Tamworth.

After some good results the Toffees run came to an abrupt end with a home loss to struggling Bolton & they really huffed & puffed there albeit in very windy conditions. David Moyes' men will come & try to make life difficult for Spurs but it is hard to see them offering much themselves apart from when Leighton Baines can get on dead ball situations. Spurs have the requisite quality in van der Vaart, Bale & Modric to open the door & either Adebayor or the weaker Jermaine Defoe can profit. We like Spurs to win to nil at good odds of 6/4 with Coral, backing them to win the game at 4/7 is perfectly reasonable too - they are up with the elite teams in England now & should be priced accordingly, Chelsea would be shorter than that to beat Everton at home but Spurs are at the moment a superior side.

(Kenny Dalglish & his star 'ahem' strikers - one unavailable & the other unwatchable)

Manchester City played Liverpool just a week ago in the league & came out of that game, again here at the Etihad Stadium, with a 3-0 victory, they will be without the Toure brothers this time & also their best defender Vincent Kompany but can still gain a victory, although maybe not such a convincing one. Liverpool have been unable to find the net with regularity all season & with their best attacking player out through his own foolish actions the situation is unlikely to be improved upon in the next month, they had a nice win against Newcastle 3 games back but that was their only win in the last 4 league games. The big plus in this game for the Reds is that they played their FA Cup game on Friday against low calibre opposition whereas City played only on Sunday against both clubs' biggest rivals Man United. On paper that game should have taken something out of City but even though they lot the performed with such credit in the 2nd half with 10 men they will hve taken heart from their display & it showed Mancini in his best light as a tactician & motivator.

(The exciting Adam Johnson is on his game of late & can grab a goal against Liverpool)

With the 2nd leg being at Anfield, City will be keen to take an advantage & should try to attack Liverpool although not in a reckless manner, Mario Balotelli looks to be out of contention but Dzeko could be back otherwise they'll start with the outstanding Sergio 'Kun' Aguero as their focal point. Other than Suarez out Liverpool will have their strongest side to choose from & we think they'll have a chance if Bellamy plays & is on his game but otherwise we're unimpressed by new signings Adam, Henderson & Downing - Gerrard could start but his fitness isn't proven for a high tempo game like this & certainly not for 90 minutes. Dalglish will likely want to contain City & keep it tight for the return leg & will set his team out to be solid, City can still breach their mean defence but maybe just the once, Adam Johnson is looking lively & could be the man to do it, we'll take a 1-0 Man City win at 13/2, Johnson to score 1st at 12/1 & the scorecast at 50/1.

Selections:
Tottenham Hotspur to beat Everton at 4/7 (various) & to win to nil at 6/4 (Coral)
Manchester City to beat Liverpool 1-0 at 13/2 (various)
Adam Johnson to score 1st at 12/1 (Stan James)
Johnson to score 1st & City win 1-0 scorecast at 50/1 (various)

South Coast teams to cause Double Trouble

Tonight sees games in the League Cup in England & the 4th set of matches in La Liga & we think that the two teams offering great value are Southampton & Malaga.

 

(Malaga's excellent Santi Cazorla curls in a free kick)

Malaga take on Athletic Bilbao at home in what is an interesting clash of cultures, with Malaga seen as the Manchester City of Spanish football having spent inordinate amounts of money in the summer on marquee signings up against Bilbao the club that have an official policy of only signing Basque players. After a disappointing start where they lost to rivals (in terms of where both teams are hoping to finish) Sevilla, Malaga have come back strongly to win 4-0 against Granada & then 1-0 away to Granada. New signing Santi Cazorla has scored 3 in 3 games so far, they have a great strikeforce with veteran Ruud Van Nistelrooy leading the line & Julio 'the beast' Baptista backing up in a deeper role, multiple options in midfield & an improved defence with the experienced Argentinian Martin Demichelis being a rock at the centre. Athletic Bilbao have yet to win this season & probably overachieved in finishing 6th in 2010-11, Malaga just have too many options & can find the key to beating them in their continuuing charge for a Champions League place - at odds of 4/6 they need to be backed.

High flying Championship side Southampton take on Preston who have had a similarly good start in League One at St Mary's in a game that should show the difference in quality between the two leagues. Preston have already conceded 9 goals in their 7 league games so far but managed to maintain success by keeping up their scoring but with free scoring Southampton (19 goals in the league already) they will not be able to score enough to stop a loss this time. Southampton are 4/7 to win the game & should play a strong enough side to win this one & score goals in the process.

Selections:

Malaga to beat Athletic Bilbao at 4/6 (general)

Southampton to beat Preston at 4/7 (general)