FA Cup Betting: Liverpool v Reading
The FA Cup was supposed to be a welcome distraction for Liverpool but a replay against Reading has once again heaped pressure on Rafael Benitez and his players, now they must get the job done at Anfield. Jaymes Monte reports…
“The aura of uncertainty and unrest that has surrounded the club since the Tom Hicks and George Gillet takeover remains and it is clear that no matter how much it is denied it is certainly filtering down to the players on the pitch. “
Even in a week where there was no on-field action, Liverpool still managed to make big headline news. Tom Hicks Jr, son of co-owner Tom Hicks has now resigned from the board of directors as the soap opera surrounding the club continues.
On the pitch things seemed to have taken a turn for the better, at least in terms of results. A relatively comfortable home win over Wolves on Boxing Day was followed up by an important win over Aston Villa a couple of days later. As they then went on to play Reading in the FA Cup there was a sense that Rafael Benitez knew that he must keep this run going and thus he fielded his strongest possible team against the Championship strugglers.
However, a 1-1 draw meant that the new decade had begun in a similar fashion to how the last one had ended. The uncertainty that has surrounded the club since the American takeover remains and it is clear that no matter how much it is denied it is certainly filtering down to the players on the pitch.
Adverse weather has meant that neither team have played since their initial meeting 10 days ago. Benitez has alluded to the fact that he realises the FA Cup along with the Europa League are his only chances of winning the clubs first trophy since 2006, and silverware could be just the tonic needed at Anfield. That desire plus home advantage should be enough to carry Liverpool over the line here but they certainly won’t be carrying any of my money in doing so.
Liverpool can be backed at 1.23 in the match odds market, but those of you who are looking to ‘buy money’ should be very cautious, after all they were only 1.45 to win the initial tie. However, that doesn’t mean that I would advise backing the draw at 7.4 or Reading at 16.5, in fact I would be well inclined to stay clear of the match odds market all together.
The market which really does interest me is the over/under 2.5 goals. It has been a long, long time since Liverpool really battered a team and when they have won in recent weeks it has been by the odd goal. I also can’t see Reading having too much joy in front of goal and they will know that their best hope will be to frustrate Liverpool and, at least initially, keep it a very tight game. Under 2.5 goals is trading at a very generous 2.56, a price which is crying out to be backed.
When punters are expecting goals, as the prices suggest that they are here, it is inevitable that ‘Any Unquoted’ will be trading at a low price. There is no exception to that rule here as the bottom selection is the favourite score line and can be backed at a paltry 3.8, for the same reasons as above that has to be a standout price to lay.
If you’re looking for a bet on some of the more peripheral markets then going low on the bookings markets maybe a wise play, the game at the Madejski Stadium was a relatively timid affair and there is no reason to suggest why this would be any different. Look to back ‘5 pts and Under’ at anything around 3.0 before kick-off.
Their problems won’t end with victory over a side struggling in the Championship but a run in the FA Cup is extremely important to Liverpool’s short and long term future. They should have enough to go through but back them at your peril.
