Momentum is with Liverpool
We've reached the quarterfinal stage of the Capital One Cup and though Manchester City are obvious favourites, it really can be said all eight teams remaining have a genuine chance to make it to Wembley and claim the first silverware of the season.
City take on Hull, who are going well in the Championship, but for all the confidence in Steve Bruce's side, Manuel Pellegrini's men are deservedly big favourites and with David Silva back they should be far too strong.
The Capital One Cup is a funny competition for the top teams; in the early rounds, they usually tinker with their line-ups in order to rest key players but once we get down to the last eight, things begin to get more serious and we can expect to see some strong, perhaps first-choice starting XIs.
One of those is likely to come at Southampton on Wednesday where Jurgen Klopp must feel he has an early chance to win a trophy with Liverpool, something the fans are craving. The German has instilled enthusiasm, structure and clear thinking among his squad and they have real momentum as they head toward the south coast.
With Daniel Sturridge back -- for now at least -- and Jordan Henderson returning from injury, they are looking stronger all the time and with Philippe Coutinho also set to be fit after missing the weekend win over Swansea, things look good for Klopp. Southampton have lost their past two Premier League games and are stuttering a little and Liverpool, at 9/5, look like a good bet to win in 90 minutes. A safer bet is to take them to go through, at even money.
Stoke too strong at home
Sheffield Wednesday stunned Arsenal in the previous round but they face a tough test when they travel to Stoke on Tuesday night. It's good to see Wednesday getting back toward the top end of the Championship but Stoke are a decent, if not easy to predict, side and they ought to go through. They don't score many goals and this could be the match for the correct score bet. A 1-0 win for the home side is 11/2 and take them to win in 90 minutes, which is 11/2 with bet365.
Double the fun
Middlesbrough are riding high in the Championship, lying second at the moment, and will fancy their chances of beating an Everton side who lack consistency to really challenge at the top end of the Premier League. They look a good cup side, though, and won't lie down. This could go to extra-time, so take the 12/5 on the draw in 90 minutes. Put that together with there being three or more goals between Manchester City and Hull, at 8/15 and you have a double worth 4/1.
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