Carling Cup Final: First Goalscorer Tip

For a man who has achieved so much in the game, it seems strange to think that Sunday will be the first time Steven Gerrard has led his Liverpool side out at Wembley. One thing his cup final appearances on other grounds tells us is that he is most certainly a man for the big occasion.

The 31-year-old is the only man to score in the finals of the League Cup, FA Cup, Champions League and UEFA Cup. WilliamHill go a best price 7/1 that Gerrard breaks the deadlock in the showpiece clash against Cardiff this weekend.

The Reds captain scored in both legs of the semi-final triumph over Manchester City - courtesy of two spot-kicks. Picking a player on penalty duty is always a great bonus when selecting a first goalscorer candidate. With Gerrard, you always have the additional prospect that he may score direct from a free-kick, from distance in open play, or arriving late in the box.

With strikers Suarez (19/4 BetVictor) and Carroll (6/1 Bet365) hardly prolific, and Bellamy (6/1 Coral) uncertain to start, the captain looks the best bet at the longest price. Particularly if you accept that Championship Cardiff taking the lead would be massively unexpected.