Our football props column offers up 8/1 and 23/1 shots for Wednesday’s Carabao Cup quarter-final between Liverpool and Leicester.
“The Welsh youngster now has two assists in five appearances for his club this season, one of which can be largely ignored given it was a one-minute run-out as a substitute.”
Liverpool v Leicester
Wednesday 22 December, 19:45
I feel a bit bad putting up the same bet based largely on the same evidence that I did a month ago – believe me, I don’t expect to be paid twice for the same work.
But the fact is it’s often worth backing a player several times in a row if you fancy him to land something at a big price and that’s my theory here.
I highlighted full-back Neco Williams a month ago when Liverpool hosted Porto in the Champions League, recommending him for an assist.
Williams didn’t land the bet on that occasion – although he would have done if James Milner’s late shot hadn’t been kept out by the visiting keeper – but a repeat punt looks the order of the day for this Carabao Cup quarter-final.
Both sides will make changes aplenty. COVID has hit the Liverpool camp and the Reds have bigger fish to fry than the League Cup, while Leicester are likely to be missing an entire XI following a bad run with injuries and COVID.
Williams is likely to be one of the changes, coming in for Trent Alexander-Arnold at right-back, just as he did in the 2-0 win at Preston in the last round.
The Welsh youngster managed to assist on that night and he now has two assists in five appearances for his club this season, one of which can be largely ignored given it was a one-minute run-out as a substitute.
In addition, Williams has caught the eye for Wales this season, playing down the other side of the pitch. It was from the left he provided an assist against the Czech Republic in October, while his forward runs, shots and balls into the box were a feature of Wales’ games in the most recent international window.
Yes, Alexander-Arnold’s boots are big ones to fill but Williams will certainly set out to replicate the role.
As assistant boss Pep Lijnders said on Tuesday: “The past proved we can make changes (and) still play our way. It’s the only way: to play our way. Even when we have a team B, it’s always plan A.”
With Roberto Firmino a likely centre-forward, one itching to impress having been kept largely on the bench this season, Williams will have a quality target for his crosses into the penalty area.
With talk of Leicester being forced to play midfielder Wilfred Ndidi as a centre-back, it’s just too tempting to also get involved with Firmino given the Brazilian, who bagged a hat-trick at Watford in October, is 15/8 to score at any time.
I’ll therefore go with a staking plan of three-quarters of the stake on the Williams assist at 8/1 and the other quarter on the Williams assist/Firmino anytime goal double (NB, it doesn’t have to Williams setting up Firmino) at what look tasty odds of just over 23/1.
Source: BetFair Tips
