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A STEPHEN Ward goal was enough to silence the Kop when Wolves last won at Liverpool in 2010. While many romantics have mulled over the likelihood of another shock result at Anfield when the pair meet in the FA Cup fourth round on Saturday lunchtime, Wolves’ 10/1 starting price (bet365) provides proof that bookies clearly have not. The Reds kick off as Skybet’s 3/10 favourites.
According to the match stats team at bettingexpert.com, the pair haven’t met in an FA Cup duel since 1952 when Liverpool won 2-1 and should the tie’s first goal arrive early, it could develop into an entertaining contest. Liverpool are 1/5 with 888sport to score the opener (Wolves are 7/2) and William Hill chalk 7/4 about it arriving inside the first 15 minutes. Paddy Power offer 9/1 against Wolves leading 1-0 as the teams disappear for their half-time cuppa, a scenario that would shorten the odds against the second half being the highest-scoring of the two. Punters who foresee the tie developing in this manner may fancy the look of Betway’s even money for the second 45 minutes to yield more goals than the first half.
Liverpool should have too much and progress; they’re 4/5 at Ladbrokes to lead at the end of both halves, but positive punters can get 9/1 (Matchbook.com) against it finishing 1-1.
A Jack Grealish goal appeared to put Aston Villa on the road to victory against Bristol City at Ashton Gate earlier in the season, but the Robins ran out as 3-1 victors, a painful defeat that Villa will be keen to avenge on Saturday.
The visitors recently endured their worst-ever run of defeats, a sequence that has seen their match win odds grow progressively wider. They’re 11/4 (Unibet) to secure three points, whereas Villa are 5/6 at 10bet ; the draw is 13/5 at Marathonbet.
Villa will be disappointed should they fail to win, though it could be closer than many suspect ; they’re 6/1 (Ladbrokes) to win 1-0 and 8/1 (William Hill) to record a 2-1 victory.
Birmingham City broke with tradition when hammering Saturday’s opponents Norwich 3-0 in August : it was the first time a fixture between the pair had been settled by more than one goal for 15 years; five of the intervening 11 duels had ended all-square and the likelihood of it ending as another draw, priced at 12/5 by Skybet, has been well supported by punters.
Nonetheless, Blues travel to Carrow Road priced as Coral’s 21/10 underdogs, whereas the home side are installed as Marathonbet’s 6/4 favourites.
Odds courtesy of customisable odds comparison site www. smartbets.com - make sure you’re getting the best free tips at www.bettingexpert.com.