Liverpool and Everton long-priced to play out friendly derby
Published:Liverpool and Everton meet in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley on Saturday, and Ladbrokes offer a 25/1 price for 90 minutes to be played without the referee showing a single card.
Disciplinary troubles have plagued the Reds in recent weeks, as they have seen goalkeepers Pepe Reina and Alexander Doni both dismissed, and Brad Jones booked when deputising for the latter at Ewood Park on Tuesday night.
Their goalkeeping woes have contributed to their price for final progression lengthening, and Kenny Dalglish’s side are now 8/11 shots to make a third Wembley appearance of the season, having been a shorter price prior to Doni’s suspension.
Some punters may believe that Liverpool’s farcical troubles between the goalposts will continue, and they can back either keeper to be dismissed on Saturday at 16/1, whilst it is a 12/1 chance that Brad Jones saves a penalty kick, as he did from the bench on Tuesday night.
Jones is 50/1 to score a goal at any time in the match, and he would be the first goalkeeper to notch at the new Wembley should he manage this feat.
Amidst Liverpool’s enhancing odds, Everton are only slight outsiders as 11/10 hopes to qualify for a second FA Cup final in four years, and the recent form of David Moyes’ charges would suggest they have a great chance of doing so.
It is 21/10 for the game to reach extra-time, with Liverpool 10/1 chances to qualify in this period, and the Toffees priced 11/1 to do the same.
Either side are attributed 10/1 odds for success on penalties, which was Liverpool’s method of victory in their one previous visit to the reformed national stadium, whilst Everton qualified for the final via this route in 2009.
Alternatively, Liverpool can be backed at 8/5 to win in 90 minutes, whilst Everton are afforded a 2/1 price for the win in normal time.
