Reading V Liverpool: Saturday 2nd January (FA Cup)

Reading V Liverpool

Saturday 2^nd January – 17:15 GMT

Reading

FA Cup Odds: 400/1 Bet365

If you thought Liverpool’s fall from grace this season was emphatic then you should take a quick look at Reading’s predicament. It was only half-a-dozen months ago that Reading were competing for automatic promotion from The Championship. Now, however, they are struggling near the very foot of the table and a cup encounter with Liverpool will probably just be a hassler rather than a luxury despite the history of the tournament itself. Still, progression in the cup would certainly take the fans minds off matters and it’s important that the club at least make Liverpool work for a spot in the next round as Reading were embarrassing in their last competitive fixture of 2009..

Reading have seriously struggled this season, more than we could of ever imagined, and their dreadful half of the season was compounded by the sacking of Brendan Rodgers after just a third of the season played. Fans were hoping to go into the new year with some new found belief but we aren’t sure where they’re going to get any of this belief from as Reading have been woeful over the busy festive period and didn’t manage to record a single victory during December; registering three draws and two defeats.

When going into any fixture with a Premiership side its imperative that you prepare well, with momentum often crucial. Reading have none of the above and were in fact battered black and blue in their very last encounter of 2009; a 4-1 drubbing at the hands of Plymouth Argyle, a team even worse off than they are. That defeat down in Devon ensured that Reading not only went into the new year without a win but without a win in their last five games.

When Reading were plying their trade in the Premiership two seasons ago, The Madjeski was somewhat of a fortress for them, a welcome retreat from some tough away ventures. However, even in The Championship, Reading have failed to cement a similar aurora around Madjeski and actually posses one of the poorest looking home records that I’ve seen in a long time; 1-6-5. In 12 home fixtures this season, just in the league, Reading have managed just one win. That’s ridiculously bad for a club that would have pinpointed a promotion push at the start of the season but instead are having to come to terms that a fight just for their Championship status could be on their hands.

Reading have had to wave goodbye to the Premiership and the vast majority of their players with Premiership class since their relegation from the top flight in 2008. Their new crop simply haven’t made the cut this season and Reading are a team seriously suffering in a bad case of low self esteem at present. The confidence levels of the players will be at rock-bottom, whilst their performances on the whole have been terrible. To earn a replay would be an amazing achievement but only an away win sticks out for us in a contest which should be more one sided than Reading’s last encounter with Plymouth.

Liverpool

FA Cup Odds: 13/2 Bet365 

The Morale at Liverpool was given a huge boost in midweek after who else but Fernando Torres scored a late winner away at Aston Villa to send Liverpool to their first set of back-to-back wins in the league for well over two months. The Reds’ are steadily beginning to climb back up the table and with every set of three points the confidence in the Liverpool dressing room will rise. However, we still cannot disregard what has been an abysmal campaign thus far and, in actual fact, the FA Cup is Liverpool’s last chance saloon in some respects so we expect both the players and the manager to be extra motivated ahead of their Saturday clash with Reading in a tournament that, if they did manage to win, could salvage the reputation of the club after one of their worst starts to a season in recent history.

With Liverpool all but out of the title race in the Premiership and knocked out of the greatest club competition on the planet – The Champions League, the FA Cup now takes on even more significance as it becomes Liverpool’s last chance of some serious silverware. However, it’s will be four years too long from when the final does come around till Liverpool’s last final appearance, and final success, when they beat West Ham in arguably the greatest final that has ever been back in 2006. Since the turn of the millennium, however, Liverpool have managed just two final appearances and that’s simply not good enough for a club of their stature. Last year, Liverpool were sent packing a lot earlier than anticipated when they were knocked out by local neighbours, Everton, in the fourth round. While they were humiliated the season before by Barnsley, so the fans are well overdue a good run in the FA Cup.

Their win over high flying Aston Villa on Monday night, a side that have already beaten Liverpool once this season, as well as Man Utd & Chelsea. It wasn’t pretty by any stretch of the imagination but it was a clinical display considering chances were few and far between as Fernando Torres scored in the 93^rd minute to hand Liverpool their third win in four games. Rafael Benitez’s side is starting to grow in confidence once again and it’s so important that they build upon the success of beating Villa by sailing through this pleasant looking tie with Reading.

Rafael Benitez put out Liverpool’s strongest eleven on Monday night for the first time in God knows how long but, knowing the Spaniard, expect a few changes for their trip to Reading as Benitez attempts to tinker to save the fitness of some players. However, the basic core of the side, your Carragher-Gerrard-Torres, should all start from the off as surely Benitez knows this is Liverpool’s last pray. The Reds’, though, have struggled on the road of late and have won just one of their last three away fixtures. That one victory was their win at Villa Park and that result should stand them in good stead against a confidence ravaged Reading side.

Match Verdict: Liverpool to WIN – 1.45 SportingBet

Liverpool fans have become all too familiar to shocks in the FA Cup regarding their side and they will be praying for a smooth ride at The Madjeski on Saturday evening. Of Course, there were far easier draws to be had but a tie with Reading could have been a whole lot worse. The Reds’ are playing a Reading side suffering in confidence, a distinct lack of form and momentum, and a severe lack of team chemistry. Their new manager has yet to make the impact Mr. Madjeski would have hoped for and we don’t think his first real success will come on Saturday as we expect Liverpool to sail through this encounter, although sailing isn’t Liverpool’s favourite hobby this season so perhaps a rough ride is to be expected before progression is assured.

Match Odds:

Reading – 8.50 SkyBet

Draw – 4.50 VCbet

Liverpool – 1.45 SportingBet

SoccerBetting Value Tip: Dirk Kuyt FGS – 8.50 SkyBet