Prediction: 2-0
Tip: Liverpool to win/Liverpool to keep a clean sheet
Key Points:
1. Liverpool is unbeaten in 20 home games
2. Cardiff has only managed to keep two clean sheets in the Championship this year
3. Liverpool has defeated Cardiff in all of their last five encounters
Liverpool will host Cardiff City at Anfield for the 4th Round of the FA Cup on Sunday.
The Reds are still without a few of the regular starters due to their active participation in the Africa Cup of Nations. Still, they have impressed with what they have by bringing in positive results.
Liverpool is ranked 2nd in the Premier League table, nine points behind Manchester City with a game in hand. Jürgen Klopp's side is undefeated in their last five matches with four wins and a draw in all competitions.
The Bluebirds under Steve Morison have made their journey to the fourth round by defeating Preston earlier in extra time. Despite finishing 8th of 24 last season, they have been miserable to replicate a fraction of that form. Cardiff is 20th in the Championship standings.
With a nine-point gap, they are not immediately in threat of relegation. It is rather sad to see the outfit struggle after a promising last season. Cardiff has lost twice and won thrice in their last five matches in all competitions.
Klopp has been criticized for disregarding the English cup competitions. But this year, he looks determined for a domestic double. The Reds are already in the finals of the Carabao Cup, and an added leverage from the FA Cup could secure two silverware for the Merseysiders.
Liverpool is the favorite in this fixture as Cardiff is not much of a threat for the top Premier League sides. The existing difference of talents in both the outfits does indicate favoritism in the odds of this contest.
For the hosts, Sadio Mané and Mohamed Salah are still active with their international squads at AFCON. Out of the remaining players, Divock Origi, Thiago Alcântara, and Harvey Elliott are unavailable due to injuries. Cardiff has no reports of any players being unavailable, but the departure of Kieffer Moore could affect their offense by several notches.
Liverpool
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UEFA Europa League18 Apr 2024Atalanta0 : 1Liverpool- Premier League14 Apr 2024Liverpool0 : 1Crystal Palace
- UEFA Europa League11 Apr 2024Liverpool0 : 3Atalanta