Wolves vs Liverpool
With Liverpool’s Premier League title hopes in the mud, the Reds will be determined to make progress in the FA Cup as they look to end the season with some sort of domestic silverware.
On Tuesday, Jurgen Klopp’s men will take on Wolves in a third-round replay as they look to make a much-needed U-turn in results.
The Reds hit a new low at Brighton at the weekend after they endured a 3-0 drubbing – their second straight defeat in the league. To make matters worse, Liverpool are winless in their last three games and have conceded eight goals during that period.
Wolves will also take a lot of encouragement from the fact that Klopp’s side have failed to keep a clean sheet in nine straight games.
Julen Lopetegui is slowly working his magic at Molineux, with the new manager leading the club out of the relegation zone at the weekend courtesy of a 1-0 victory over West Ham.
Wolves may be winless in eight games against the Reds – including seven defeats – though considering Liverpool’s current form, this is the perfect time to back the resurgent underdogs.
We’re tipping Wolverhampton to win by a margin of one goal. Alternatively, you could back the hosts to win 2-1 in the correct score market.
West Brom vs Chesterfield
Wolves aren’t the only West Midlands side involved in cup-replay action as West Brom prepare to host National League outfit Chesterfield at The Hawthorns.
If the two teams had met at the start of the season, the bookmakers would’ve been inundated with confident punters looking to place a buck on the fifth-tier side.
It’s easy to see why. Last October the Baggies were strong relegation candidates in the Championship as they sat 23rd with 14 points to their name from 16 games.
Carlos Corberan was drafted into save the sinking ship and 11 league matches later, West Brom sit sixth having been miraculously transformed into play-off and promotion contenders.
Chesterfield, who held the Baggies to a 3-3 draw in the first game, certainly offer a credible threat ahead of the replay. However, West Brom should have enough quality to deal with the challenge and seal their place in the fourth round.
With that in mind, we’re backing the hosts to win and the match to produce over 2.5 goals.
Leeds vs Cardiff
Both Leeds United and Cardiff City are flirting with relegation in their respective divisions, and a cup replay is certainly not ideal for their survival ambitions.
Manager Jesse Marsch is under growing pressure at Elland Road, with his side winning just two games across all competitions since August.
Results, however, may be somewhat misleading. For instance, Leeds dominated proceedings in Friday’s 2-1 loss to Aston Villa, producing 16 shots and 53 dangerous attacks.
Unfortunately for the Whites, their inability to turn chances into goals is becoming a major concern.
Cardiff – who have scored the fewest goals in the Championship this season – have similar issues. However, the Welsh outfit are also defensively strong having conceded fewer goals than Championship play-off contenders Middlesbrough and Blackburn.
Another close game is on the cards and we’re backing this tie to go all the way to penalties. Leeds to win from the spot is our recommendation.
Key stats
- Liverpool are winless in threegames, conceding eight goals in the process
- Liverpool have failed to keep a clean sheet in nine games
- Wolves are winless vsLiverpool in seven attempts
- West Brom have won nine of their last 11 games
- Chesterfield have lost just two of their last 15 matches
- Leeds have kept one clean sheet in 11 outings
- Cardiff have scored the fewest goals in the Championship
