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FA Cup predictions, odds and best bets: Plymouth vs Liverpool, Villa vs Tottenham

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Our betting expert Jones Knows provides his insight as he analyses the weekend's FA Cup fourth-round action.

Plymouth vs Liverpool, Sunday 3pm - PLAY SUPER 6!

Those who think Liverpool are the best team in England should consider backing them to win the FA Cup outright when you assess how the market is shaping up. Arne Slot's men are 4/1 second favourites with Sky Bet, with Manchester City priced up as the market leaders - that makes little sense.

This should not prove too much of a problem for the Reds based on Plymouth's current form of winning one of their last 16 Championship matches. An away win with under 3.5 goals thrown into the mix at 6/5 with Sky Bet looks the play.

SCORE PREDICTION: 0-2

Aston Villa vs Tottenham, Sunday 5.35pm - PLAY SUPER 6!

Aston Villa are an easy team to score against, especially without Pau Torres. He is a huge miss and I'm always wary of trusting them without him.

The data points to the Spanish defender being a massive player for them.

SUPER 6: There is an overwhelming amount of Super 6 players backing the narrow 2-1 victory for Villa with 340,000 going for that scoreline

Since the start of last season, in 51 games with him, Villa's win percentage is at 58 per cent and they have conceded 1.3 goals per game. Without him, across a sample size of 22 games, their win percentage drops to 35 per cent and they are conceding 2.1 goals per game. In total, their percentage drops 23 per cent without him and they concede 0.8 more goals.

Of course, football is a low scoring sport so that goals conceded number is a red flag when it comes to backing Villa in this spot. This is a more important match for Spurs and they are the bet to qualify at 7/4 with Sky Bet.

SCORE PREDICTION: 1-2

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FA Cup predictions, odds and best bets: Plymouth vs Liverpool, Villa vs Tottenham

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Our betting expert Jones Knows provides his insight as he analyses the weekend's FA Cup fourth-round action.

Plymouth vs Liverpool, Sunday 3pm - PLAY SUPER 6!

Those who think Liverpool are the best team in England should consider backing them to win the FA Cup outright when you assess how the market is shaping up. Arne Slot's men are 4/1 second favourites with Sky Bet, with Manchester City priced up as the market leaders - that makes little sense.

This should not prove too much of a problem for the Reds based on Plymouth's current form of winning one of their last 16 Championship matches. An away win with under 3.5 goals thrown into the mix at 6/5 with Sky Bet looks the play.

SCORE PREDICTION: 0-2

Aston Villa vs Tottenham, Sunday 5.35pm - PLAY SUPER 6!

Aston Villa are an easy team to score against, especially without Pau Torres. He is a huge miss and I'm always wary of trusting them without him.

The data points to the Spanish defender being a massive player for them.

SUPER 6: There is an overwhelming amount of Super 6 players backing the narrow 2-1 victory for Villa with 340,000 going for that scoreline

Since the start of last season, in 51 games with him, Villa's win percentage is at 58 per cent and they have conceded 1.3 goals per game. Without him, across a sample size of 22 games, their win percentage drops to 35 per cent and they are conceding 2.1 goals per game. In total, their percentage drops 23 per cent without him and they concede 0.8 more goals.

Of course, football is a low scoring sport so that goals conceded number is a red flag when it comes to backing Villa in this spot. This is a more important match for Spurs and they are the bet to qualify at 7/4 with Sky Bet.

SCORE PREDICTION: 1-2

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Tottenham's players are hiding behind Ange Postecoglou and Daniel Levy, according to Paul Merson

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Tottenham’s players look like they are now hiding behind Ange Postecoglou and chairman Daniel Levy after their "shocking" midweek display against Liverpool in the Carabao Cup, says Paul Merson.

Spurs, who travel to Aston Villa in the FA Cup on Sunday, took a one-goal lead to Anfield on Thursday night but were thrashed 4-0 as they missed out on the chance to take on Newcastle in next month's Carabao Cup final.

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Meanwhile, Tottenham's Premier League points tally leaves them closer to the relegation zone than a place in Europe next season, and Merson says Postecoglou's side are "horrible" to watch right now.

"Everybody is hiding behind the manager and Levy now, that's what I feel," he said.

"There were some experienced players out there [against Liverpool]. There were a lot of caps out there and for me it wasn't good enough. It was like 'if we get beat it'll be down to Ange and it will be down to Levy'.

"I thought it was shocking.

"There are ways of losing. Everybody loses football matches, whoever you may be you [can] lose a football match, but there are ways, this is a semi-final, dig in.

"I think Ange is caught in between [the Devil and] the Deep Blue Sea now.

"They neither attack nor defend. At least before it was gung-ho, it was like we'll have a load of shots and we might get well beat.

"But now it's like they are not really defending but they're not attacking neither It's a horrible watch. It's a horrible watch at the moment."

Ange: Talk over future 'doesn't enter my head'

Postecoglou says will shut out talk about his future and focus on trying to salvage Tottenham's season when they travel to Villa in the FA Cup.

Postecoglou knows speculation over his job will intensify if an FA Cup exits follows the heavy Carabao Cup defeat to Liverpool.

Asked if he would still be in charge if they lost at Villa, Postecoglou replied: "That doesn't enter my head.

"I get that's obviously a massive topic of discussion because when things aren't going well you look at the person who's largely responsible for that and that's me.

"You've got to get on with it. It doesn't change the decisions I make, how I feel, how I work today or how determined I am to continue on this path.

"Right now the focus is on getting this group of players recovered for Sunday. It's a big game and hopefully a positive result and then over the next couple of weeks we'll get some significant players back, which I think will help.

"We're an easy mark at the moment. There's inconsistency in our play, everyone is saying I'm making excuses about injuries and it's kind of easy, with the club not having won a trophy in a long time, for people to pile on.

"It does feel like there's very much an eagerness to take the club down for one reason or another when the opportunity exists.

"At the moment we're giving them the opportunity but that can't chart our way forward. That can't be our motivation to change people's opinions."

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Liverpool 4-0 Tottenham (agg: 4-1): Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah among goalscorers as Arne Slot books first cup final appearance as Reds boss

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Carabao Cup holders Liverpool overturned a one-goal deficit to book their place in the competition's showpiece final at Wembley with a thrilling 4-1 aggregate win over toothless Tottenham.

Goals from Cody Gakpo - his tenth in 10 home appearances - Mohamed Salah, Dominik Szoboszlai and Virgil van Dijk cancelled out Lucas Bergvall's strike from the first leg, condemning Spurs to their joint heaviest defeat of Ange Postecoglou's charge.

Liverpool made their visitors pay for sloppiness in the first period when Yves Bissouma's simple giveaway presented the chance for Salah to feed Gakpo, but the remainder was a procession, as the Egyptian scored from the penalty spot after Antonin Kinsky's error, Szoboszlai stroked home a third and Van Dijk nodded Alexis Mac Allister's corner beyond the sorry goalkeeper.

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A patched-up Spurs looked like they did not know how to handle the occasion, with their one-goal advantage forcing a passiveness that rarely works at Anfield. Jamie Redknapp branded the display "horrendous" and "shocking".

Arne Slot's relentless Reds will meet Newcastle - who beat Arsenal 4-0 over their respective two legs - at Wembley on March 16 for the chance to lift a record-extending 11th League Cup trophy.

Postecoglou's promise of second-season silverware, meanwhile, feels more distant than ever, with his side unable to even muster a shot on target during a lifeless 90 minutes. Tottenham's 17-year wait for a trophy goes on.

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Redknapp hits out at Spurs' fight

Sky Sports' Jamie Redknapp:

"I cannot remember a team in my lifetime going down with less of a fight with what Spurs did today. Not having one shot on target in the semi-final of a second leg when you're trying to change the course of your history?

"I feel sorry for those players. I've never seen anything like it. You have young players, you're meant to protect them.

"Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall, they're young men and trying their best. But I'm looking at the experienced players today to lead and try and set the tempo. They didn't do that one bit.

"There's been some lows - Palace, Ipswich and Everton this season. But when you look at that today, the scoreline, just horrendous."

Analysis: Tottenham chaotic and confused

Sky Sports' Laura Hunter:

It would not be an exaggeration to say that Tottenham barely participated in that semi-final. The body language of players read something close to 'put me out of my misery' by the end.

Liverpool were impressive, very slick, but Tottenham had nothing to offer, not even belief. They completed just 88 passes in the first period, their fewest in a half of football under Postecoglou and the second 45 minutes only got worse. The scoreline actually flattered them - 0.18 worth of generated xG just as pitiful.

What will disappoint the manager most is the contrast from a first leg of such promise. There was precious little to be proud of from any individual. Where Postecoglou himself will have to concede, though, is over a clear lack of game plan. What were Spurs set up to do? They offered nothing that resembled coherence at either end of the pitch.

Jamie Redknapp said he was 'baffled' by Postecoglou's tactics. The players appeared equally confused, making it impossible to gain a foothold, and played directly into Liverpool's obliging hands.

Carragher: Spurs never shock in big games

Sky Sports' Jamie Carragher:

"It was never in doubt before the game. It's Tottenham! When do Tottenham ever win a big game? When do Tottenham ever go and surprise, win against the odds?

"The odds were massively in favour for Liverpool - they're at Anfield, they're the best team in the country, possibly the best team in Europe right now.

"But it's not just this Spurs team. They never shock you, never do something out of the ordinary.

Postecoglou deems outside opinion 'irrelevant'

Tottenham head coach Ange Postecoglou:

"It's fair to say we didn't get to the level we needed tonight. For us to give ourselves an opportunity we had to be a lot more aggressive with and without the ball - we weren't. We allowed them to control and dictate. They were too good for us."

Responding to Redknapp's claim that Spurs went down without a fight, Postecoglou said: "I know people get excited about things like that, people on TV give opinions, that's what they are there to do.

"My job is to manage this football club. Whatever people think or don't think is irrelevant, it doesn't really matter. I don't put any emphasis on it, or who we are. Everyone is allowed to have an opinion and express it. My view is I don't need to respond to that or be affected by it. I don't care, it doesn't worry me."

Slot: The most special evening

Liverpool boss Arne Slot:

"I think we had some big nights here already but yeah to reach a final should also be special, and that is what it is. So yeah in that perspective it has been the most special evening.

"In Holland we only have one cup competition and that final is played at the end of the season so it is new experience but a nice one to have.

"[Wembley] is a special stadium for English people but also for Dutch people because we know the history of the stadium and a final as well."

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Liverpool 4-0 Spurs: Jamie Redknapp and Jamie Carragher lead damning criticism of Tottenham Hotspur's limp Carabao Cup semi-final display

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Tottenham's limp performance in their Carabao Cup semi-final collapse at Liverpool was ripped apart by Jamie Carragher and Jamie Redknapp - with the display branded as "horrendous" and "shocking".

Spurs went to Anfield with a 1-0 first-leg lead but succumbed to a 4-0 defeat in the return fixture - with goals from Cody Gakpo, Mohamed Salah, Dominik Szoboszlai and Virgil van Dijk sealing the aggregate win for the Premier League leaders.

Spurs' response to that was zero shots on target - as they missed the chance to take on Newcastle in the March 16 final at Wembley.

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"I cannot remember a team in my lifetime go down with less of a fight with what Spurs did today," said former Spurs midfielder Redknapp.

"Not having one shot on target in the semi-final of a second leg when you're trying to change the course of your history?

"I feel sorry for those players. I think Djed Spence played 14 different positions tonight. I've never seen anything like it. You have young players, you're meant to protect them.

"Archie Gray and [Lucas] Bergvall, they're young men and trying their best. But I'm looking at the experienced players today to lead and try and set the tempo. They didn't do that one bit.

"There's been some lows - Palace, Ipswich and Everton this season. But when you look at that today, the scoreline? Just horrendous."

Asked to respond to those Redknapp comments in his press conference, Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou replied: "Why you asking me? Ask Jamie, he's made the comment.

"I know people get excited about things like that, people on TV give opinions, that's what they are there to do. My job is to manage this football club. Whatever people think or don't think is irrelevant, it doesn't really matter.

"I don't put any emphasis on it, or who we are. Everyone is allowed to have an opinion and express it. My view is I don't need to respond to that or be affected by it. I don't care, it doesn't worry me, it doesn't bother me."

'It's Tottenham! They never shock you!' - Carra on Spurs' mental block

Meanwhile, Sky Sports' pundit Carragher said he never had belief in Spurs finishing the job off after their first-leg victory.

"It was never in doubt before the game," Carragher said about Liverpool's victory. "It's Tottenham! When do Tottenham ever win a big game? When do Tottenham ever go and surprise, win against the odds?

"The odds were massively in favour against Liverpool, they're at Anfield, they're the best team in the country, possibly the best team in Europe right now.

"But it's not just this Spurs team. They never shock you, never do something out of the ordinary.

"I'm trying to remember the last big game they won: it was probably that semi-final against Ajax in the Champions League [in 2019].

"I was in the stadium that night and I don't want to take it away from Tottenham, but they were very lucky! They were battered for most of the game, it was a freak and they got two goals in the last minute.

"Whenever they go into a big game as a club, nobody ever believes they're going to win. That's not me as a Liverpool fan, those Tottenham fans there tonight - not one of them believed they were going to win and to go Wembley! They just won't."

'Accrington Stanley gave more'

Former Liverpool defender Carragher added that he felt League Two side Accrington Stanley gave a better account of themselves when they visited Anfield for their FA Cup third-round game with Liverpool.

The numbers even back that up. John Doolan's fourth-tier side did manage one shot on target in their 4-0 defeat on January 11, while they conceded fewer shots and had more touches in the Liverpool penalty area than Spurs' attempt on Thursday.

"I'm not just saying this to try and make a headline but I think of an FA Cup tie Liverpool played at home a few weeks ago. Accrington Stanley gave more than Tottenham and caused Liverpool more of a problem in that game. That's not right.

"You're playing against the best team in Europe, no one expects you to go through but it's the manner of the defeat. Those three midfield players are big, strong, powerful lads who can run, but if I'm playing in a semi-final, I'm hitting Curtis Jones early on.

"We saw it from Newcastle [against Arsenal]. Newcastle were ready and were going to make it as tough as possible. Tottenham didn't make that tough for Liverpool. It was one of the easiest games they've had this season.

"Even when promoted teams come to Anfield, they don't play with that fear. They came with a one-goal lead as well. It just goes back to that stereotype we all have with Tottenham.

"I loved the [Mauricio] Pochettino team, it had steel about it, probably the best Tottenham team since the early '80s, and that team still couldn't get over the line. There's definitely a mental block with the club. It goes back a long time."

Postecoglou 'looks lonely' as Spurs senior players slammed

Former Spurs defender Michael Dawson believes under-fire Spurs boss Postecoglou "looks lonely" on the touchline - as this latest setback increases the spotlight on his position.

But there was also criticism towards Spurs' senior players - notably captain Heung-Min Son - who went closest to finding the net by hitting the bar in the second half. But the north Londoners were 3-0 down by that point.

"He looks lonely there on his own," said Dawson about Postecoglou. "He's going through a challenging time. The players have to give more than they're giving at this moment in time. The senior players.

"Son is someone we've talked about for years and years in this Premier League and how good he's been. But when the going gets tough, and we've all been through it, you have to look to your senior players and help them young players.

"But believe me, that was a low, low night for Spurs.

"It was always going to be backs against the wall but they didn't show any character in possession, out of possession and they didn't show any desire to keep the ball out of the back of the net.

"To come here and get beat 4-0 without any fight and without a shot on target, it's a damaging performance."

Asked if he feels lonely on the touchline, Postecoglou told Sky Sports: "It's not an emotion I feel. I'm disappointed we weren't able to give a better account of ourselves and get to a final.

"The players are very disappointed. We had a great opportunity and unfortunately we didn't grab it.

"Liverpool fully deserved the victory tonight. They were the better team. We just weren't able to get a grip in any part of the game defensively or with the ball. They were too good for us.

"We allowed them to get into the game, we weren't as aggressive as we needed to be. Again, we didn't start the game off on the right foot, it allowed them to get comfortable. Once they got comfortable, it was difficult for us to get some control back."

Redknapp also took aim at Postecoglou's tactics, even with a long list of injuries mounting up for Spurs. Their tally of absentees went to 11 with Richarlison limping off at Anfield in the first half.

"Yes, they have had injuries but there are still enough players there to cause Liverpool some problems," he said.

"There's been defeats to Ipswich, Leicester, Crystal Palace and Everton. Everyone seems to find a way of beating this Tottenham side.

"The manager baffles me with his tactics. I think he's completely lost in what he's trying to do.

"You have to adapt and you have to change. If you haven't got the personnel you want then you have to make sure your tactics are spot on."

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Live Commentary - Liverpool vs Spurs

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Tottenham transfers: Ange Postecoglou confident Mathys Tel will stay permanently after completing Bayern Munich loan

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Tottenham Hotspur boss Ange Postecoglou is confident Mathys Tel will stay at the club past his loan spell after stating he did not "bring him here for six months".

The 19-year-old was signed on an initial temporary deal from Bayern Munich on Transfer Deadline Day, with a £45m option to make the switch permanent included, after performing a dramatic U-turn on his decision to reject a move to Spurs three days earlier.

If the option to make the transfer permanent is triggered, Tel will sign a six-year deal, and Postecoglou is confident that will happen.

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"He will play a significant part in our end to the season for sure and beyond," Postecoglou said ahead of Thursday's Carabao Cup semi-final second leg against Liverpool, live on Sky Sports. "He wants to make an impact and I expect him to do that.

"He will be a Tottenham player. I think he will show everyone he will be a Tottenham player in the next six months. I didn't bring him here for six months."

Ange on 'selling' Spurs to Tel

As previously noted, Tel initially turned down the move to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium before reversing his decision and joining on Deadline Day.

Sky Sports News reported this U-turn came about after a lengthy conversation with Postecoglou on how he would be used in the team, which reignited the player's interest in joining the club.

When asked about his powers of persuasion, Postecoglou played down claims of him "selling" the move and instead focused on the belief he has in the project as the reason why Tel chose to join.

He said: "There is something to be said for honesty and integrity. I think I have a pretty compelling story to tell because I think when I speak to players, I am not trying to sell anything that there isn't plenty of evidence for.

"It is not about smooth talking or selling. There is a good story here that I really believe in. I speak from a strong conviction that what I am saying will come to fruition."

When asked if any conversations with players had failed, Postecoglou added: "I don't need to do anything special. You hear the success stories but there have been plenty that haven't worked out. There was a couple this window!

"You know straight away that there is a disconnect. I don't have a 100 per cent hit rate. I walk away and think good player but won't be a good fit.

"I don't like having conversations unless there is real interest from both sides. I don't like to waste my time."

Tel could make debut vs Liverpool

Postecoglou also confirmed Tel and fellow new arrival Kevin Danso are available for selection against Liverpool but Micky van de Ven will miss out with the club looking to take precautions with his return after Radu Dragusin's ACL injury.

Van de Ven returned in the Europa League win against Elfsborg after missing seven weeks with a hamstring injury but was absent for the subsequent victory against Brentford last weekend.

Cristian Romero, who has been out since December with a thigh injury, will also be unavailable.

"Mathys and Kevin are both available," Postecoglou said.

"With Micky and Romero to a certain extent, I just feel we need to be more conservative with them.

"My view is we are not going to risk these guys. We'll keep them ticking over in training and make sure they are ready and don't have any setbacks."

Where will Tel play for Spurs?

The young forward adds well needed versatility to Spurs' injury laden side, with his new manager claiming he could operate as the striker or out wide given Dominic Solanke, Wilson Odobert, Brennan Johnson and Timo Werner are all currently sidelined.

"Archie Gray wanted to be a central midfielder, so who knows where he'll end up," Postecoglou joked when asked about where Tel will play.

"He's got the attributes to play as a No 9 for sure. He's played wide well for sure. At the moment we're probably going to need him in all those areas.

"As much as we've got issues at the back, we've probably got bigger issues in attack - we're missing three wingers and our main striker.

"I get people are still dismissing the fact tomorrow we're going to have nine first-team players out. Having Mathys, who can play both wide and centrally, in the short-term he'll fill all three roles."

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