The first major piece of domestic silverware in the English league is up for grabs in the Carling Cup Final on Sunday. After a 16 year absence, Liverpool are back at Wembley and Cardiff City of the Championship provide the opposition.

Liverpool have obviously targeted this trophy this season, opting to field a strong side in the early rounds when the vast majority of clubs use the Carling Cup to give fringe players a run out. They have reached the final the hard way, having been drawn away from home four times before being paired with Manchester City in the two legged semi final. Liverpool won 3-1 at Exeter of League 2 and 2-1 at Championship side Brighton before tackling tough trips to Premier League opponents Stoke (won 2-1) and Chelsea (won 2-0). The 3-2 aggregate win over City in the semi final included a 1-0 win in Manchester and 2-2 draw in the return so Liverpool have won away from Anfield in every round. Whilst in the Premier League Liverpool lie in seventh spot, four points behind a top four finishing position, they are going strong in the FA Cup where a 6-1 hiding of Brighton last weekend set up a quarter final tie at home to Stoke.

Cardiff's route to Wembley has been eventful although the only Premier League opponents they faced were Blackburn Rovers who's priorities were clearly on avoiding relegation rather than cup glory. They have been to extra time in four ties, two of which went all the way to penalties but they came out on top against Oxford of League 2, Huddersfield of League 1 and then fellow Championship sides Leicester and Burnley. The 2-0 home win over Blackburn set up a semi final with another Championship side, Crystal Palace which finished 1-1 on aggregate and Cardiff held their nerve in the penalty shoot out. Cardiff are currently in the play off places in the Championship but they have fallen six points behind the automatic promotion places after losing three of their last four league outings.

As far as League Cup history is concerned, Liverpool have won this trophy seven times (more than any other club) and finished runners up three times. They last lifted this trophy in 2003 when they beat Manchester United 2-0, ironically in Cardiff as Wembley was being rebuilt. Liverpool also played in the 2005 final where they lost 3-2 to Chelsea in extra time. This will be Cardiff's first appearance in the League Cup final although they did reach Wembley for the 2008 FA Cup Final, where they lost 1-0 to Portsmouth.

The Betting: To Win the Trophy (Any Method)

Cardiff 9/2 BetXchange

Liverpool 1/6 widely available

Match Result (90 minutes)

Cardiff 8/1 World Sports Betting, Voltbet, Ladbrokes

Draw 7/2 World Sports Betting, Sportsbet, Voltbet, Sportingbet

Liverpool 4/10 BetXchange, Sportsbet, Voltbet

Selected Others (90 minutes)

Double Chance Cardiff/Draw 21/10 Sportsbet

HT/FT Liverpool/Liverpool even money Sportsbet

Under 2.5 goals even money World Sports Betting

Over 2.5 goals 9/10 BetXchange

Both teams to score (yes) 13/10 World Sports Betting, BetXchange

Correct score Liverpool to win 2-0, 5/1 Ladbrokes

Correct Score Liverpool to win 2-1, 8/1 BetXchange, Hollywood

Odds are correct at the time of publication but are subject to change. Some bookmakers may not have priced up on all markets at the time of publication.

The Verdict

This final produced a big surprise last season when Arsenal lost to Birmingham City but if Liverpool go about this task in similar fashion to their demolition of Championship side Brighton in the FA Cup last week, it's hard to see Cardiff living with them. I'll go with Liverpool HT/FT where the top price looks attractive enough and for additional interest, 2-0 Liverpool in the correct score market.

Bets: HT/FT Liverpool/Liverpool even money Sportsbet

Correct score Liverpool to win 2-0 5/1 Ladbrokes

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