Capitol One Cup Draw - Reaction

Draw

AFC Bournemouth away is Liverpool's Capitol One Cup quarter final tie. The draw would have been perfect if the tie was at Anfield but I am confident of our chances despite their 2-1 win against West Brom due to our 2-0 victory last season in the same tie in the FA Cup. I am just happy that we managed to avoid Premier League opposition for at least one more round and especially happy that we avoided Chelsea. I was as surprised as anyone to see Newcastle record a 2-0 victory over Man City at the Etihad, but at least there is another top team eliminated from the competition benefiting our chances of winning the trophy.

Chances

I think that after the quarter final draw it will be surprising despite our inconsistent form this season to not progress to the semi-finals of the competition. With Man City out our chances of winning the cup are becoming better and better as the rounds progress. Chelsea in my opinion are the favourites to win the competition but I think that this season Liverpool can lift the trophy for the second time in 4 years.

Predictions

I am personally betting on Liverpool to lift the cup at the end of the competition but that is not just due to biased. Chelsea have drew Derby away from home, which normally would be seen as an easy win for Chelsea. However I see things differently, they needed an own goal to see off Shrewsbury which is something I would expect us to do and the tie is in the middle of a busy list of fixtures including two Premier League games against Hull and Stoke and a Champions League match against Sporting Lisbon. The Capitol One cup is not one that will be a priority to Jose Mourinho as lifting the title will be his main priority and I expect him to field a weak side against Derby. Derby are not a bad team so I predict that they will go through to the semi-finals of the cup.

Southampton are another threat to our chances of lifting the trophy and they got a fairly easy tie against Sheffield United but they are another side who should not be underestimated. They had a fantastic FA cup run last season reaching the semi-finals of the competition. Southampton are in great form under Koeman but that was the story last season and towards the busy Christmas period their early season form died out and I expect the same thing to happen again. They have many players who are not going to be able to adapt to the busy period and a Capitol One Cup tie will not help them at all. I don't expect them to field a weak side but I do expect it to be a difficult game but it is too hard to call for me.

Tottenham vs Newcastle will be a repeat of the recent 1-2 win for the Geordies. Their recent form despite calls for Pardew to be sacked is to be admired but I don't think that Pochettino will let that result happen again and Lamela could be the difference between the sides, as the Argentinian is showing great form following a poor first season. I do expect to face a Premier League side in the semi finals but there is a possibility Liverpool could face lower league opposition in the final like we did in the 2012 final against Cardiff. I personally think this competition is the best chance Liverpool have got to lift some silverware this season.