The fourth round proper of the FA Cup is generally the time when some of the big time teams start to struggle and/or run into each other. Could we see some more FA Cup magic on Saturday when Wolverhampton pays a visit to Anfield to take on a struggling Liverpool side?
This FA Cup duel will go down Saturday, January 28, 2016, at 7:30 a.m. ET at Anfield. The match will be televised live on FOX Sports 1.
Soccer Odds at BookMaker.eu
Liverpool -450
Wolverhampton +1100
Draw +500
Over/Under 3
Odds Analysis
Just from the pure standpoint of the names on the crests of the uniforms, Liverpool has to be a significant favorite over a team that hasn't had a thought in the Premier League in quite some time. The Reds are set at -450 on the moneyline at home and are basically 2-goal favorites on the Asian Handicap. A lottery ticket on Wolverhampton on the moneyline would pay 11 to 1.
The total of 3 more or less insinuates that the Wolves have a 50/50 chance of scoring in this match, while Liverpool is likely to net either two or three more often than not.
How They Got Here
The Wolves already have one upset to their name this year. They went on the road to Stoke City and knocked off the Potters 2-0 in a somewhat shocking defeat. It was a match that was won handily from start to finish, as both Helder Costa and Matt Doherty found the back of the net to get the Championship side the big victory to move onto Round 4.
In theory, Liverpool should have had it relatively easy in the third round of the FA Cup. The team drew League Two side Plymouth Argyle at home before returning to Home Park to finish off the minnows in a 1-0 victory. That said, manager Jurgen Klopp has used relatively weak lineups thus far in the FA Cup, though it should be noted that the second match against the Pilgrims featured Divock Origi, Daniel Sturridge and Philippe Coutinho, all of whom were out of the fold in the first 90 minutes of what turned out to be a home-and-home series.
Recent Form
Liverpool is suddenly in somewhat shockingly bad form. The team lost 3-2 against Swansea City at home, a tremendous defeat for a team that thought it was in the running for the Premier League title up until that point. That loss came on the heels of the escape against Plymouth and a 1-1 draw at Manchester United on top of a 1-0 loss in the EFL Cup against Southampton and a 2-2 draw at Sunderland. Needless to say, it hasn't been a banner 2017 yet for Klopp and his side.
Liverpool will have a chance to advance to the EFL Cup Final if it can beat out Southampton by more than a 1-0 margin that it lost by in the first leg of that home-and-home series in a match to be played at Anfield on Wednesday.
Wolverhampton is still fighting the idea of relegation from Championship this season. The team sits in 18th position on the table after a 3-1 loss at Norwich last weekend. That ended a brief two-game winning streak with victories over Aston Villa in league play and Stoke City in the FA Cup mentioned earlier.
Free Soccer Betting Pick
Liverpool's form is just flat out awful right now, but these cup ties tend to be the ultimate panacea to get a team back on track. Particularly if the EFL Cup semi doesn't go well against Southampton, we see a big opportunity here to back the Reds. Klopp should be encouraged to use a better side, one that probably will include Joel Matip, who is still awaiting FIFA clearance after not being allowed to play in the Africa Cup of Nations.
The Wolves are just far too young, particularly up front, to play with a team like Liverpool on the road in most instances. It's been a nice run to this point, but this is where it ends for a team that is going to likely side 10 men under the age of 28 on Saturday.
FA Cup Odds: Liverpool 2, Wolverhampton 0
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