2011/12 Carling Cup Final Prediction

So the final is upon us, it has been a long trip for both of these clubs and they have overcome all odds to appear in the 2011/12 Carling Cup Final. Cardiff City will be representing the Championship as they take on Premier League outfit Liverpool F.C.

Cardiff had to come from a loss in their first leg tie against fellow promotion hopefuls Crystal Palace in the semi final. They had a host of chances to finish off the South London side in the second leg but just couldn’t find the back of the net for a second time. Neither team could score again so the tie was to be decided by penalties. Tom Heaton was the man of the moment as he stopped two of Crystal Palace’s penalties which left the score 3-1 on pens and sent Cardiff straight into the final.

Cardiff had over came several fellow championship sides but the most impressive victory was against Premier League struggler Blackburn Rovers, the bluebirds scored a 2-0 win in a dominant display. On February 26^th 2012 Cardiff will look to overcome the odds and beat the reds in what would be a historic victory. The winner of the carling cup will book themselves a place in the 2012/13 Europa League third qualifying round.

Liverpool overcame league leaders Man City in their semi final tie with a fantastic display in both legs and a deserved place in the final was their award. City always looked dangerous on the attack in both legs but Liverpool really outplayed the sky blues and if it wasn’t for a top display from Joe Hart in the second leg Liverpool could of score 5 or 6 more than they did.

Liverpool seem to have saved their best displays for the Carling Cup this season as they came from behind to beat a strong Stoke outfit in the Quarter Final and swept aside 4^th place Chelsea in the Semis with a comfortable 2-0 win. Liverpool will be returning to Wembley for the first time since 1996 to take on the Welsh team in what is set to be a classic.

Run to the Final

Cardiff

1^st Round - Oxford 1-3 Cardiff City (aet)

2^nd Round - Cardiff City 5-3 Huddersfield Town (aet)

3^rd Round - Cardiff City 2-2 Leicester City (Cardiff won 7-6 on penalties)

4^th Round - Cardiff City 1-0 Burnley

Quarter Final - Cardiff City 2-0 Blackburn Rovers

Semi Final - Crystal Palace 1-0 Cardiff City (1^st Leg)

Semi Final - Cardiff City 1-0 Crystal Palace (2^nd Leg) (Cardiff won 3-1 on penalties)

Liverpool

2^nd Round - Exeter City 1-3 Liverpool

3^rd Round - Brighton and Hove Albion 1-2 Liverpool

4^th Round - Stoke 1-2 Liverpool

Quarter Final - Chelsea 0-2 Liverpool

Semi Final - Manchester City 0-1 Liverpool (1^st Leg)

Semi Final - Liverpool 2-2 Manchester City (2^nd Leg)

Prediction

Cardiff City 1 – 3 Liverpool

Key Players

Cardiff City – Tom Heaton

Liverpool – Steven Gerrard

This will be a scintillating final between two great teams, Cardiff will certainly be the underdogs going into the match but this won’t deter them. Will Liverpool be able to add another trophy to an already illustrious cabinet not if Cardiff has anything to do with it? Whatever happens this will be a great fixture and I know all football fans cannot wait to watch these two battle it out to become the Carling cup winners