Bournemouth v Liverpool: Time to believe in the Reds

Liverpool fans will hope to see Emre Can at Bournemouth

Michael Lintorn is tipping out-of-form Liverpool to rally and ruin Bournemouth's 12-match unbeaten run...

Bournemouth v Liverpool
Wednesday, 19:45
Live on Sky Sports 1

Match Odds: Bournemouth 3.814/5, Liverpool 2.021/1, The Draw 3.953/1

It's amazing how much the Capital One Cup climbs up the priority list when more serious business is going awry and you have emerged as a 5.04/1 candidate to be the next Premier League manager axed.

Brendan Rodgers has never been a Capital One Cup fan. He achieved one 90-minute victory in four attempts in his initial two campaigns at Anfield, losing at home to former employers Swansea in the first and being taken to extra time by Notts County on Merseyside in the second.

It was a similar story at Swansea: they navigated a hasty exit away to fourth-tier Shrewsbury in their maiden Premier League season. His Reading side ducked out to Barnsley in 2009/10. Watford were quarter-finalists he took over in 2008/09. He led them out in the next round - admittedly against Tottenham.

However, what matters is that he cares now. They have seen off Championship flyers Middlesbrough and the ever-challenging Swansea, and Jordan Henderson and Philippe Coutinho were among his starters in the latter fixture. Rodgers also stated that "the aim is to go on and win the competition".

Bournemouth have been brilliant this term, topping the Championship and going 12 games without defeat in all competition. They have drawn two of the latest three at home though and conceded at least twice in each of their previous four contests on the south coast, so they are far from flawless.

Liverpool have lost far more often than they will deem acceptable on their 2014/15 travels, but they haven't drawn away domestically. They have also won twice on the road over the past two months against QPR and Leicester teams who fit the Bournemouth profile, having recently been promoted.

Another thing in the Reds' favour is that they triumphed 2-0 at the Goldsands Stadium in the FA Cup fourth round in January.

Both teams to score

Bournemouth haven't fired a blank in front of their fans since March, netting 12 times and conceding nine in their most recent four such matches alone.

Liverpool unsurprisingly have shut out just one of their last dozen domestic hosts, giving up three goals in an alarming six of those outings.

Newcastle and Man United are the only English hosts to have actually kept them quiet in over a year though, and it was a David de Gea wonder display exclusively that enabled the latter clean sheet.

Best Bet: Back Liverpool to win @ 2.021/1
Other Recommended Bet: Back both teams to score @ 1.794/5