Exeter vs Liverpool Prediction and Preview – 08/01/16

FA Cup preview – Exeter vs Liverpool prediction.

Exeter manager Paul Tisdale could call on Clinton Morrison for the FA Cup third round tie against Liverpool on Friday. The 36-year-old has mostly been used from the bench this season but his big game experience in the top flight with Birmingham could prove valuable. Leading scorer Tom Nichols was just 17 years-old when he came on as a substitute in the 3-1 defeat against Liverpool in the 2011-12 League Cup at St James’ Park and is set the lead to line.

Liverpoo’s intense run of fixtures continues in January and Jurgen Klopp will use this opportunity to rotate the squad. Back up goalkeeper Adam Bogdan is expected to be given another chance on the strength of  solid displays in the League Cup. 19-year-old wide man Ryan Kent has been recalled from a loan spell at Coventry and could be handed his Liverpool debut. Nathaniel Clyne and Albert Moreno could be rested with Conor Randall and Brad Smith the most likely replacements. Coutinho and Lovren join Daniel Sturridge, Martin Skrtel, Divock Origi and Jordan Rossiter at the treatment table.  

Possible Line-ups

Exeter: 4-4-2 formation: Olejnik; Davies, Brown, Moore-Taylor, Woodman; Grant, Oakley, Nicholls, Holmes; Nichols, Morrison

Liverpool: 4–3-3 formation: Bogdan; Randall, Toure, Sakho, Smith; Allen, Lucas, Brannigan; Lallana, Benteke, Ibe;

Statistics

• Exeter have won 4 drawn 2 and lost 4 of their last 10 matches
• Liverpool have won 5 drawn 2 and lost 3 of their last 10 matches
• Over the course of their previous 10 matches, Exeter have scored an average of 1.5 goals and conceded an average of 1.4 goals per game
• Over the course of their previous 10 matches, Liverpool have scored an average of 1.2 goals and conceded an average of 1 goal per game
• There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 6 of Exeter’s previous 10 matches
• There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 3 of Liverpool’s previous 10 matches

Prediction

This is the first time Exeter have reached the FA Cup third round since 2005 when they drew 0-0 against Manchester United at Old Trafford before losing the replay 2-0. The League Two side defeated Port Vale, who are a division above, 2-0 a month ago to set up a third round against the Premier League giants. Exeter currently lie 16th in the lowest tier and have lost the last four games, three of those at home.

Liverpool won 1-0 at Stoke in the League Cup semi-final first leg on Tuesday to make it three wins from the last four games in all competitions. The Reds have used back up players in both the League Cup and Europa League this season and have yet to be defeated in either competition. Klopp’s biggest concerns lie up front. Liverpool have managed just five goals in eight games since defeating Southampton 6-1 in the League Cup quarter final on 2 December.

Liverpool have been knocked out of the FA Cup by lower league sides four times in the last 10 years and could be vulnerable to what would be the biggest shock of this year’s third round.

Tips

Exeter to win at 15/2 with BoyleSports

Under 2.5 goals at 9/7 with Marathonbet

Exeter to win 1-0 at 23/1 with 888sport

What are your predictions?

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