The Reds hold the advantage going into the semi-final second-leg against Manchester City on Wednesday as they are 1-0 up from the first leg thanks to Gerrard’s penalty.

They entertain Roberto Mancini’s men, however, on the back of a disappointing 3-1 defeat at the Reebok Stadium on Saturday and Gerrard pulled no punches ahead of the second leg over the level of performance needed at Anfield. Those following the best in-play Carling Cup betting should remember this.

“I have been here a long time and experienced days like that and the important thing is to move on from it fast. If we perform like that against Manchester City, there will be no Wembley trip,” Gerrard told the club’s website.

“There is no good time to perform like that when you play for this club. You have to win every game.

“The fans won’t accept it, they don’t deserve it. It’s not allowed. Otherwise you get criticised by your manager, like we have all experienced.”

Dalglish laid into his expensively-assembled squad following the Bolton debacle and has also urged his side to bounce back against City as they look to make it to their first major domestic final since 2006.

The Reds have yet to play at Wembley since it’s redevelopment and do have the upper hand thanks to that first-leg win, but City winger Adam Johnson is confident his side can go to Anfield and overturn the deficit and claim a final spot against Cardiff City, who beat Crystal Palace on Tuesday in the other semi-final.

“No-one is expecting us to go through so the pressure is off for once and we can go there with freedom, play our football and have a go,” Johnson said.

“It won’t be easy but we are quietly confident.”

Grabavoy played in 25 games last season and is expected by those giving out soccer betting tips to be a regular again in 2012, particularly as fellow midfielder Andy Williams recently announced his retirement.

The 28-year-old, who has spent the last three seasons with the club, said: “I couldn’t be happier to have the opportunity to continue my career with RSL. This is one of the proudest moments of my career. I’m excited to find myself in a great situation for continued success.”

Grabavoy came through the youth team ranks at Indiana Hoosiers before making his name at Chicago Fire Premier. He went on to spend three years with Los Angeles Galaxy before playing for Columbus Crew and San Jose Earthquakes.

The midfielder moved to Real Salt Lake in 2009 and has gone on to feature in 68 matches for the club. His arrival is sure to have caused excitement and interest among those who bet on soccer matches.

Meanwhile, Fernandez has been handed the chance in the senior squad after progressing through Real Salt Lake’s Arizona academy. The former Penarol and CD Guadalajara player is expected to be Real Salt Lake’s third-choice goalkeeper this season behind Nick Rimando and Kyle Reynish.

The club is expected to make several more new signings before the start of the campaign after parting company with nine players recently, including Robbie Russell, Collen Warner, Arturo Alvarez, Rauwshawn McKenzie and Jean Alexandre.

The 2009 champions reached the semi-finals last year before being beaten 3-1 by eventual winners LA Galaxy.

The Australian Under-20 midfielder admitted it felt especially good to commit to a club that had nurtured him since his arrival in England in 2008.

“I am really happy to have signed a new contract and I’m pleased I’m going to be here for the next four years.”

“Coming through the ranks the fans have been great for me and I really appreciate it.”

Herd will now be able to focus solely on his on-field performances, which have so far this season been particularly eye-catching in a struggling Villa side. The 22-year old established himself as a regular in the opening half of the Premier League season – with McLeish able to take advantage of Herd’s ability to play in a number of positions.

An ankle injury put a slight bump in the road, in what is his first full season in the top-flight on English football. However, the 22-year old will know that he is still very much in his manager’s plans when he shakes off his current injury.

As well as cementing his place in the Aston Villa first-team, Herd will also be looking to upset the soccer betting tips odds by breaking into the full Australian side. The midfielder has spent time with the Socceroos without earning a cap but will surely make his debut if he continues to improve as well as he has been doing.

The victory was the Reds’ first in seven weeks and comes 12 days after Kosmina took over the head coach role on a caretaker basis – his second spell in charge of the club. The former Socceroo’s first tenure in charge of the club resulted in him leading his home-town club to the A-League title in 2005/06.

Rini Coolen’s disastrous start to the season upset the picks of those writing the soccer betting tips and cost him his job and Kosmina was quick to make a number of changes to both the first-team and training – freshening up a squad that had looked very stale so far this campaign. The comfortable win against the Phoenix was a sign to the Adelaide fans that those changes may be beginning to work.

With only three wins to their name so far this season, Adelaide will know that they haven’t achieved anything yet and will need to try put together a good run. Recent weeks have shown that this year’s A-League is extremely close from top to bottom, and a winning streak could see United shoot up the table and completely turn their poor season around.

Kosmina has played down his role in the change in the club’s fortunes, insisting the squad just needed the confidence to go out on the pitch and prove their quality.

“These changes aren’t about me; it’s what I believe to be in the best interest of the team and an opportunity for them to rebuild a self-belief in themselves.”

“The city of Adelaide deserves it, so does the code throughout the state.”

So far this season live soccer betting fans have watched on as they have won just one game in their last nine outings and Ferguson has identified this upcoming fixture against the Jets – who have plenty of their own problems – as the game that can turn their season around.

Star striker Shane Smeltz has been ruled out of the clash at Ausgrid Stadium with a groin strain suffered against the Central Coast Mariners in the run-up to Christmas and a scan on Wednesday indicated that a rest was required. Defender John Mitchell will also be suspended for the match following his red card last week – meaning the side could be vulnerable at the back.

Steve Pantelidis is expected to take Mitchell’s position at centre-half, whilst the up-and-coming Adam Taggart will be given the opportunity to make his first-team debut by replacing Smeltz – with the youngster looking to prove he is ready for the A-League. Also, club captain Jacob Burns is available following suspension and Todd Howarth has also recovered from his groin injury to make the squad. Keep an eye out for the latest team news before making your pick from the soccer betting tips.

Those who bet on soccer games in the NLS will be familiar with Marshall, who has already featured in 199 matches for Columbus and seems certain to surpass Mike Clark’s club record of 221 appearances, which he made between 1996 and 2003.

One-club man Marshall won the MLS’ defender of the year award in both 2008 and 2009 and helped the Crew win the MLS Cup in 2008.

“It feels good, I’m excited,” admitted Marshall. “Obviously, I’ve been here a long time. I enjoy it and I consider Columbus home. It’s nice to be here for a few more years and see if we can build on the success we’ve had the past few years.”

Marshall was the second pick in the 2004 MLS SuperDraft and has been a Crew regular ever since.

Columbus’ technical director Brian Bliss is delighted to have come to an agreement with Marshall who he sees as playing an integral part in a defence that will also consist of Carlos Mendes and Julius James, who penned a contract extension in July, as well as youngsters Eric Gehrig and Rich Balchan. Those who want soccer betting tips may want to consider the Crew’s strong defence when assessing their fixtures.

Marshall scored four goals in 2008 and 2009 but has only found the net once in the last two campaigns.

He was the team captain last season, with Columbus coach Robert Warzycha acknowledging: “He is obviously a very important part of our team. He is also one of the best players in the club’s history and he’s still in his prime, so we couldn’t be happier to get him signed to this new contract.”

The 28-year-old joins the club from Ecuadorian League champions Sociedad Deportivo Quito.
“Our commitment and goal to bring in the best players for our club continues,” said Chivas USA’s general manager Jose Domene.

“When we scouted in South America, Oswaldo Minda was one of the players we wanted. His experience in both local and international competitions will be of great value. We welcome him to the Red and White, and we are sure he will adapt to coach Robin Fraser’s system very quickly.”

Minda is familiar to those who bet on soccer games in Ecuador after he helped SD Quito clinch the fifth domestic League title in their history earlier this month and their third in four seasons. He spent three years with the club, finding the net 11 times in 85 appearances.
Minda has represented his country on 13 occasions and has featured in Copa America and World Cup qualifying matches this year.

Chivas USA, who had the 15th best record of the 18 MLS clubs last season, winning only eight of their 34 matches, have already signed four new players in the off-season and one of the most popular soccer betting tips ahead of the new campaign.

Before snapping up Minda, they had acquired the former Derby County, Millwall and Crystal Palace winger Ryan Smith from Sporting Kansas City as well as midfielder Arturo Alvarez and defender James Riley.

Last season was one of Chivas’ worst since they joined MLS in 2004. The Los Angeles-based side’s best season came in 2007 when they finished first in the Western Conference. Current Aston Villa goalkeeper Brad Guzan was on their books that season.

With it evident the striker’s chances at the club were going to be limited, Mariners head coach Graeme Arnold decided to allow Baird go on a trail with Sabah – who will compete in the newly formed Malaysian Super League. The experienced front-man did enough to impress, and a deal has been struck for his contract on the Central Coast to be terminated, allowing him to move to Asia.

Baird was quick to thank the A-League side for their part in making the move possible, making it clear he hopes the high-flying Mariners can maintain their current good form.

“The Mariners have been very supportive throughout this whole process.”

“They allowed me to travel to Malaysia to show Sabah what I could do and, thankfully, didn’t stand in my way to take up Sabah’s offer.”

“I enjoyed living on the Central Coast and sincerely hope my old teammates carry on their good form for the rest of the season.”

The Mariners will be doing all they can to keep pace with frontrunners Brisbane over the next few weeks, firstly with the trip to a struggling Adelaide side this weekend which should provide some interesting Live soccer betting. So far this season it has looked as though Central Coast are the only team that can genuinely compete with an untouchable Brisbane side. It remains to be seen whether they can continue to cling onto the Roar’s coat-tails during the rest of the campaign.

The in-form Coyne suffered the injury during the Glory’s 2-2 draw against the Melbourne Victory, and will now be sidelined for much of the season. Since returning to action earlier this season, Coyne has been one of Perth’s most consistent players and his absence will be a major blow the club’s chances of kick-starting their faltering campaign.

The experienced Coyne has remained upbeat about the injury, insisting he could be back in action in just three months time, quashing rumours that the problem could force the former West Ham man into retirement.

“I’m deeply disappointed but it’s part of the job, you do lose weeks out through injury and I’ve just got to cop it and get on with it.”

“It’s with a pinch of salt, there’s obviously people a lot worse off than I am and it’s just about how I treat the injury now and look after myself.”

“Touch wood and I’d like to be back next year, if not, the end of this year, and give my best again for Perth Glory.”

A thrilling game for Live soccer betting, Perth were comprehensively beaten by league leaders Brisbane at the weekend, but will have the chance to bounce back from that disappointment when they host Gold Coast United this weekend.

During the seasons following the takeover, The Blues managed to acquire some excellent accolades including: 3 Premier League titles, 3 FA Cup trophies, and 2 Football League Cup trophies.

But recently, it seems as if Chelsea have taken a turn for the worse. The London club’s performances have been quite abysmal, and with a relatively old team alongside some truly uninspiring players, it’s understandable as to why Chelsea have been failing so far this season. People who bet on Champions League games should remember this.

In the Premiership Chelsea currently reside in 5th position, which isn’t too disappointing. But by the end of the season, I can see the London side missing out on the top 4 with current manager Andre Villas-Boas getting the inevitable sack.

In Chelsea’s European campaign, the Premier League outfit are in 2nd position on the same points as Spanish team Valencia. So far in Chelsea’s Champions League campaign, The Blues greatest victory came against Belgian side Genk. The London club thrashed the Belgian team 5-0 with goals from: Raul Meireles in the 8th minute, Fernando Torres in the 11th and 27th minute, Branislav Ivanovic in the 42nd minute, and Salomon Kalou in the 72nd minute. People who bet on Champions League winner should bear this in mind.

So, how are Chelsea’s chances looking in terms of qualifying to the 2011/12 Champions League? Well to qualify to the Knockout Phase of the prestigious tournament, The Blues have to win their home matchup against Spanish side Valencia. I imagine that Chelsea will claim that all-important victory and make their way to the next stage of the competition. Players like Spanish international Fernando Torres will have to be on goal-scoring form to ensure qualification.