Carabao Cup semi-final preview: Fulham vs Liverpool
It’s ten days since Fulham’s last match; does that restorative break mean the west London side can return, ready to handle anything that’s thrown at them on Wednesday night?
Marco Silva’s team trail Liverpool by a goal after the first leg of this Carabao Cup semi-final. On that occasion, Willian gave the Cottagers the lead at Anfield, before Curtis Jones and Cody Gakpo fought back to give the Merseyside team a 2-1 advantage.
Do Fulham have any hope of turning that scoreline around then? Well, Liverpool aren’t generally an easy side to peg back, even away from Anfield. Last week, there was talk that Jurgen Klopp’s side might not have it all their own way at Bournemouth. The Reds duly won 4-0.
Can the Cottagers mount a comeback?
Fulham have got their work cut out for them; a glance through the history books is unlikely to instil the team with a sense of freewheeling optimism. Liverpool have won the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-finals nine times – and progressed to the final on eight of those occasions.
In the here and now, Fulham have an impressive but flawed home record; they’ve won five of their last six home games in all comps, including a 2-1 victory over Arsenal. But they also lost 2-0 to Burnley in that run; the Clarets are currently 19th in the Prem and have won just three league games all season.
Fulham’s recent good results at home should give the side at least some hope, but they’re playing catch-up against a side that could settle for a draw on the night and still progress.
Although Liverpool may not be minded to settle, having scored eight times across their last two matches.
Klopp’s men also put four past Fulham when they met last month. They’re capable of going on a tear, but may not need to. Either way, it’s tricky to see this match ending in fairy tale fashion for the hosts.
If there is a way for Fulham to provide an upset – or at least a consolation – perhaps it’s through Raul Jimenez. The Mexican striker has scored in each of his last three home games, with a total of four goals against Forest, West Ham and Arsenal. Jimenez is 13/5 to find the net on Wednesday.
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