MX23RW : Thursday, January 2 14:38:58| >> :60:776:776:

Preview: Carling Cup final - Liverpool vs. Cardiff City

Preview: Carling Cup final - Liverpool vs. Cardiff
© PA Photos
Liverpool and Cardiff City travel to Wembley on Sunday for the Carling Cup final, with the first domestic trophy of the season up for grabs.

Liverpool and Cardiff City each have an opportunity to snatch the first domestic trophy of the season when they meet at Wembley on Sunday for the Carling Cup final.

The Merseyside club are aiming to clinch silverware for the first time in six years, while the Bluebirds could nab the trophy as they continue to push for Premier League promotion.

Kenny Dalglish, who has a number of potential starting lineups to choose from, may choose a 4-5-1 formation with Luis Suarez alone up front over fellow striker Andy Carroll.

Having five across the midfield will allow the likes of Dirk Kuyt and Craig Bellamy, who faces his old club on Sunday, to use the wide areas to provide service to the Uruguayan.

Despite Jamie Carragher's wealth of experience, Dalglish is likely to pick Daniel Agger and Martin Skrtel to hold the defensive line due to the pair's impressive partnership this season.

Cardiff boss Malky Mackay has a selection headache for the final as he continues to deal with a number of injuries. While Mark Hudson could make a return from injury, Mackay is likely to place Ben Turner in the defensive role.

Anthony Gerrard, who is cousin to the Liverpool captain, should be awarded a place in the back line, with Newcastle United loanee Haris Vuckic and Don Crowie holding the midfield. Kenny Miller is likely to start up front on his own for the Championship side.

Current form:

Liverpool: DWWDLW
Cardiff: WDLLWL

Possible lineups:

Liverpool: Reina; Johnson, Agger, Skrtel, Enrique; Kuyt, Adam, Gerrard, Henderson, Bellamy; Suarez

Cardiff: Marshall; McNaughton, Turner, Gerrard, Taylor; Whittingham, Gunnarsson, Cowie, Vuckic, Mason; Miller

Sports Mole says: 2-0

ID:17625: cacheID:17625:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:4375:
Written by
Danielle Joynson

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Restore Data
Share this article now:
Kenny Dalglish
Read Next:
Dalglish: Final isn't about me
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool18143145172845
2Arsenal19116238172139
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest1911442619737
4Chelsea19105438231535
5Newcastle UnitedNewcastle1995532211132
6Manchester CityMan City199463226631
7Bournemouth198652923630
8Fulham197842825329
9Aston Villa198562831-329
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton196942928127
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1973941281324
12Brentford197393335-224
13West Ham UnitedWest Ham196582335-1223
14Manchester UnitedMan Utd196492126-522
15Crystal Palace194872027-720
16Everton183871524-917
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1944113142-1116
18Ipswich TownIpswich1936101833-1515
19Leicester CityLeicester1935112242-2014
20Southampton1913151239-276


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!