Carling Cup Semi Final First Leg: Manchester City v Liverpool Odds and Betting Preview

MANCHESTER, UK - Premier League leaders Manchester City are top priced evens (bet £10 to make £10 profit) favourites with Betfred and Ladbrokes to beat Liverpool at home on Wednesday night as they bid to win their second domestic trophy in as many seasons. Kenny Dalglish's side can be backed to bounce back from their last defeat at Etihad Stadium at best odds of 100/30 at bet365 and Stan James. The draw is quoted at stand-out odds of 5/2 with Victor Chandler.

As the tie is a two-legged affair the bookies are also quoting odds on which side will qualify from the tie. The Citizens are top priced at 8/13 at bet365 and Betfred, whilst Liverpool are available at best odds of 13/10 at bet365 to make the final.

Manchester City can welcome back Gareth Barry to the side after he missed the 3-2 defeat to Manchester United at the weekend having been sent-off when City beat Liverpool 3-0 at home in their last Premier League match. City will be determined not to lose two matches in a row especially as many believe they would have beaten United if Vincent Kompany had not received a straight red for his two footed lunge on Nani.

Kenny Dalglish will be hoping his side can be more resilient than last time out at Etihad Stadium and not have to recover from a big defeat at Anfield in two weeks. Without Luis Suarez up front the Reds lack potency and could well suffer on Wednesday evening.

Indeed in the first goalscorer betting market Liverpool forwards aren't really in the running according to the bookies as Craig Bellamy and Andy Carroll are as long as 10/1 with Stan James, who offer best price in all the first goalscorer betting. Sergio Aguero is top priced at 11/2, with Mario Balotelli next in the betting at 6/1. Edin Dzeko is a top priced 13/2 shot, whilst David Silva can be backed at 17/2, also with Stan James.

Bookmakers think this match will be a lower scoring encounter than last time as over 2.5 goals is a top priced 21/20 shot at Ladbrokes, while under 2.5 is quoted at best odds of 5/6 with Victor Chandler.

In the half-time/full-time betting market Manchester City can be backed at best odds of 9/4 at 888 Sport and totesport to win the match after leading at the break, whilst draw/Manchester City is a top priced 4/1 shot at Ladbrokes and William Hill. Liverpool/Liverpool is available at best odds of 7/1 with betinternet and totesport, while draw/Liverpool can be backed at best odds of 8/1 at Paddy Power and bet365.

The match kicks off at 1945 and will be shown live on BBC One

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