Cardiff v Liverpool: Reds to ease to first trophy in six years

This Sunday sees Liverpool make their first trip to the new Wembley, hoping to justify a 4/11 price tag to beat Championship side Cardiff in 90 minutes, and claim an eighth Carling Cup title in the process.

Perhaps bizarrely, it will be Cardiff’s third visit to the England national stadium, having lost out in the 2008 FA Cup final along with the 2010 play-off final.

Their lengthy 8/1 odds to win in normal time here suggests that this run of defeats is set to continue, but some could be tempted by the 10/3 on offer for the sides to play out a draw that would lead to extra time.

Cardiff undoubtedly possess the ability in their squad to pose problems for the Liverpool backline, and the likes of workhorse striker Kenny Miller will be desperate to make an impression at Wembley.

With this in mind, the 11/10 on offer for both teams to score in the match looks too big, while a Liverpool win with both teams finding the net appears unmissable at 5/2.

12/1 odds are also appealing for Liverpool to win by a 3-1 scoreline, and after proving they can put a few past lower league opposition in their 6-1 FA Cup demolition of Brighton last week, the Anfield club can contribute to ensuring that four or more goals occur in the game at 21/10.

It will be somewhat of a surreal experience for Craig Bellamy at Wembley, with the Welshman turning out against his boyhood club and an outfit he spent time on loan with last season.

Bellamy is 4/1 to score first, and punters may be encouraged to pay attention to this, along with the same price for the improving Andy Carroll.

Captain and penalty taker Steven Gerrard is 5/1 to bag the opener, whilst the aforementioned Miller is the Bluebirds’ biggest threat, and is priced at 10/1 to break the deadlock.