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Just over a week ago, Manchester City took on Liverpool in the Premier League knowing that a win would extend their lead at the top of the table to two points.
On Wednesday, the two sides meet again, this time knowing that a win will present the perfect chance to pick up their first piece of silverware of the season.
For both sides, winning the Carling Cup would mean so much more this year than perhaps it might have in previous campaigns.
City are already out of the FA Cup and know that for this season to be considered a success, they need to win more trophies than their nearest rivals, United.
Liverpool on the other hand, have not won a trophy since they won the FA Cup in 2006, so for fans usually so used to success, this past six years will have felt like something of a baron spell.
These are both clubs that have great history in the League Cup – Liverpool have won the competition on seven occasions, while City have also lifted the trophy twice before.
Match Winner
With two of their key players, the Toure brothers away on Africa Cup of Nations duty with the Ivory Coast, Manchester City’s chances of winning this game will no doubt have been reduced.
However, the fact that they are still odds on favourites (at evens) to win this game is testament to the strength in depth they are able to call upon.
Liverpool will be hoping to put the 3-0 Premier League defeat behind them, however, by picking up a first leg win in this semi-final. They are available at 10/3.
There is every chance that this game could end as a draw, with everything riding on the second leg at Anfield. The stalemate is priced at 5/2.
First goal scorer
Sergio Aguero is the bookies favourite to open the scoring, unsurprisingly, with Bet365 offering odds of 9/2 on him netting the first goal of the game.
Mario Balotelli and Edin Dzeko are both available at 11/2 with SkyBet to be the game’s first goal scorer, while the Liverpool duo of Andy Carroll and Craig Bellamy are both 8/1 with Totesport.
Recommended bets
With that 3-0 win fresh in the mind, City will be confident that they can produce a similar outcome in this one. They chances of the same score happening are a tempting 16/1 with BoyleSports.
A bland 0-0 draw might well be a realistic outcome for this game, with both sides not looking to take too many risks in the first leg, and Liverpool defending resolutely – that is priced at 9/1 with many bookmakers.
And finally, how about this being a high scoring game with over 3.5 goals? Well Ladbrokes will offer you 12/5 on that happening.
