Liverpool Should Be Confident Against Injury-Hit Bolton

Both Liverpool and Bolton Wanderers have experienced something of an upturn in form in their respective leagues lately but something will have to give at Anfield tonight (17:30) as the two sides take each other on in the FA Cup.

Liverpool are unbeaten in nine in all competitions, their last defeat a 3-0 thrashing away at Manchester United back in December. Their last home loss was back in November when they succumbed to the might of league leaders Chelsea despite going 1-0 to the good through Emre Can in the opening 10 minutes.

Bolton were languishing in the Championship relegation zone before the appointment of Neil Lennon as manager. The club now find themselves in 15th position in the league, 10 points clear of the drop zone and 11 shy of the play-off party. What`s more, Wanderers have picked up eight points from their last five games on the road.

Both of these sides entered the FA Cup at the third round stage and both sailed through to the fourth round without the need of a replay. Lennon`s Whites scored the only goal in a Lancashire clash against Wigan through young striker Zach Clough whilst Brendan Rodgers` men had to battle to take down League Two`s AFC Wimbledon.

Steven Gerrard put the Reds in front after 12 minutes at the Cherry Red Records Stadium before cult forward Adebayo Akinfenwa levelled up for Neal Ardley`s side less than 10 minutes before half time. A tense second 45 followed but captain Gerrard hit the back of the net for the second time in the 62nd minute, a goal that proved enough to stop the Dons in their tracks.

The brace-scoring Gerrard is expected to be rested for tonight`s game.

In spite of their slight difficultly in overcoming lower league opposition, ladbrokes have installed Liverpool as the 1/3 favourites to progress through to the fifth stage of the tournament following tonight`s encounter. Most bookmakers are offering odds of 5/1 on Bolton managing to earn a replay from the clash whilst it is 12/1 across the board should you think the Championship club will win outright tonight.

This big price on a Bolton win can be explained by examining the vast number of key faces that Neil Lennon is missing through injury. Firstly, the underdogs will be without South Korean winger and apparent Crystal Palace transfer target Chung-Yong Lee who has scored three goals in 23 appearances for his club. The 26-year-old is currently nursing a leg injury. Wanderers will also be without fellow attacker Max Clayton who has bagged one goal from nine games after the 20-year-old picked up a knee complaint. Four-goal striker Craig Davies is also out (hamstring).

As a result, the odds on a Liverpool clean sheet are looking solid at 20/21 (Totesport) with a win to nil for the Merseyside club being priced up at 11/10 (betway, paddy Power, Skybet).

The Reds will, however, have to be aware of the visitors` experienced attacking duo, 37-year-old partnership Eidur Gudjohnsen and Emile Heskey.

Former Chelsea man Gudjohnsen has scored once in his first six games for the club whilst ex-Red Heskey has also grabbed one, though he has only played four times since moving from Australian side the Newcastle Jets.

Punters can back Icelandic Gudjohnsen at 11/2 (Coral) to score at any time whilst former England international is also available at 11/2 with the same bookmaker.

In further injury news, Bolton will also be without Mark Davies (knee) and Marc Tierney (ankle).

The home side are expected to make a number of changes beyond the absence of Gerrard with various young players anticipated to feature. Such names being rumoured are those of Sheyi Ojo, Jordon Ibe and Jordan Rossiter.

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24/01/2015     © Frixo 2024