Five reasons why Cardiff won’t lose in ninety minutes

Arsenal/Cardiff, 7.45pm, Setanta Sports 1, Free Bets, Best Odds

The bizarre decision to play this fourth round replay after all the fifth round matches have taken place just to please the TV companies caused so much confusion that The Guardian somehow forgot that Burnley even existed. Both teams start tonight on lengthy unbeaten runs so cliche dictates that something has to give. chickendinner aren’t convinced though, which is why we have compiled five reasons why Cardiff won’t be beaten in ninety minutes:

1. Cardiff are unbeaten in thirteen games in all competitions, a run that dates back to mid-November.

2. The Bluebirds have kept three straight clean sheets and have lost less away games than any other team in the Championship.

3. Playing away from home didn’t hinder Cardiff’s cup progress last year either with three of their four wins prior to the semi-finals coming on the road, including a 2-0 win at Middlesbrough.

Posted: February 16th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | 3 Comments

Five reasons why Liverpool won’t win in ninety minutes

Everton/Liverpool, 8.10pm, ITV1, Free Bets, Best Odds

Liverpool looked to have finally got their season back on track by beating Chelsea but the high of that win has been tempered by bewilderment at Rafael Benitez’s decision to sell Robbie Keane without replacing him. Despite losing to Manchester United, Everton are in great form and even if they are eliminated tonight, here’s five reasons why we think Liverpool will need extra-time or penalties to do it:

1. The two sides couldn’t be separated in their two meetings last month, with both games finishing 1-1.

2. Liverpool have won just seven of their last seventeen domestic games, including just one of their last five. They have drawn their last two away games.

3. Everton have lost just one of their last six matches against Big Four opposition and have drawn at home with Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal since losing to Liverpool in September.

Posted: February 4th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment

Previews of tonight’s other FA Cup fourth round replays

Three more games that have conquered the snow will take place

While the Merseyside derby is the big game of the day, there are three other important FA Cup replays taking place. Martin O’Neill looks to avoid more FA Cup disappointment as they host Doncaster, Blackburn face Sunderland for the fifth time in under three months and Billy Davies and Nigel Clough face their former clubs once more:

Aston Villa v Doncaster
Doncaster are unbeaten in four straight away games, winning three, having previously gone twelve matches without a win on the road. In contrast, Villa have won just five of their last sixteen home games and were eliminated from the Carling Cup at home to Championship strugglers QPR. Martin O’Neill’s side have only been past the fourth round once in eight years so they will be wary of an upset.

Blackburn v Sunderland

Posted: February 4th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment

Betfair go 2.54 on tonight’s derby featuring over 2.5 goals

Everton/Liverpool, 8.10pm, ITV1, Free Bets, Best Odds

Goals have been in short supply in recent Merseyside derbies which is why under 2.5 goals is priced up as low as 4/7 tonight but if there is going to be a game where that run ends then it’s likely to be at Goodison Park. Here’s why:

» The last four Merseyside derbies, and five of the last six, have all featured two goals or fewer.

» All six of Liverpool’s games in 2009 have contained under 2.5 goals.

» Similarly, all six of Everton’s games so far this year have seen two or less goals scored.

Posted: February 4th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment

Statistics to help you bet on Merseyside derby goalscorers

Everton/Liverpool, 8.10pm, ITV1, Free Bets, Best Odds

Steven Gerrard has been Liverpool’s hero in the last two Merseyside derbies but is that run likely to continue tonight? chickendinner have examined the prospects of all the most likely goalscorers:

Tim Cahill - The Australian has scored four goals in eight Merseyside derbies and has fired nine times against Big Four opposition.

Mikel Arteta - The Spanish midfielder has notched three times in his last three appearances at Goodison Park but has only ever scored once against Big Four opposition (Chelsea in 2006).

Marouane Fellaini - Since a run of three goals in four games in October, Fellaini has fired just once in twelve.

Steven Gerrard - The England midfielder scored in each of the previous two Merseyside derbies this month, although he has only scored in three of his last twelve away games.

Posted: February 4th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment

Burnley go into FA Cup replay with West Brom as favourites

Click here for the latest odds on tonight’s fourth round replay

Burnley have triumphed in all five of their cup matches at Turf Moor this season (one after extra time) and picked up results against four Premier League teams in the Carling Cup. The bookmakers aren’t risking another loss so 888sport and Paddy Power have chalked the hosts up at 13/10 favourites.

West Brom reached the semi-finals last year but have won just two of their fourteen away games this season and are 23/10 with Bet365 to triumph. Of last year’s other semi-finalists, Portsmouth and Barnsley have already bowed out while Cardiff need to beat Arsenal at the Emirates to progress.

Prior to the 2-2 draw at the Hawthorns in the initial tie, the hosts had won four straight meetings between the teams, again offering Burnley an edge.

Posted: February 3rd, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment