On Sunday afternoon Wembley stadium will be awash in the red of Liverpool and blue of Cardiff. Both sets of fanatical fans are respected throughout football as being among the most genuine and loyal, showing respect to their own teams and opposition alike. By Sunday evening one set of supporters will be heading home disappointed and the other celebrating the first trophy of the English season with the guaranteed 'booby' prize of the The Europa League! But despite the much maligned competitiveness of the Carling Cup a trophy is still trophy and you can bet that behind closed doors both Arsene Wenger and AVB would swap places with either manager to keep their respective teeth baring chairmen from the door. For Liverpool it's the opportunity to end a six year trophy drought (after 2006's FA Cup 'The Gerrard Final') in surprisingly a first visit to the new Wembley (since the Spice Boys disaster at the old one 1996). In Kenny Dalglish's first full season back the cup would represent a step forward and some justification towards the money spent in the summer to build his new team. It would also allow them to put aside the recent Luis Suarez controversy at least for 24hours. The Kop idolise King Kenny and are intelligent enough to know that the current side is a work in progress. The potential of the 4th Champions League spot (they currently lye only 4pts off Chelsea and Arsenal) still remains the chief goal. But what better motivation than getting a trophy inside the dusty cabinet and moving forward with vigour into the final third of the season to chase a potential cup double and 4th spot. Liverpool fans will remember fondly how in 2001 the penalty shoot-out victory against Birmingham for the same competition was the catalyst to both Champions League qualification and the Cup Treble. For Cardiff the opportunity is to continue their progress forward and win a trophy. So often theyve been the bridesmaid of recent years at the new Wembley just missing out in play-off finals and cup semi-finals. Winning the Cup would have the same effect as their opponents, and could propel them to the Premiership after so many near misses (they currently lie 4th). A top six of the championship without Cardiff in recent years is unheard off and shows not just their ability as a good football playing team but also the consistent work behind the scenes first from Dave Jones and this season Malky Mackay (what a great managers name - I always picture a wild-west saloon bar run by the Scotsman!). The big conundrum at present for Liverpool is whom the starting eleven will be and just what formation Dalglish will start with. Only Mr Glass aka Fabio Aurelio is currently out injured for the reds. Will Carroll and Suarez start together after recent good form? Is Bellamy going to be let loose against his beloved Cardiff? Who will partner Steven Gerrard in midfield? Out of Kuyt, Maxi and Downing - which will sit on the bench disappointed? And what about Jamie Carragher, do they dare to leave him out after all his years of service as he reaches the twilight of his playing career? I for one think Dalglish is too shrewd to underestimate Cardiff, knowing the importance to the fans and the new owners I believe he will pick his strongest line-up with attacking intent. Expect to see Suarez and Carroll start, with Bellamy wide left and a interchanging midfield three of Gerrard, Adam and Henderson covering each blade of glass, running from deep and spreading the ball out wide using Bellamy and Suarez's pace. I also believe Carragher will start because he is still the natural defensive leader of the back line for such a game where Cardiff as underdogs are going to throw the kitchen sink at you for a potential 120minutes. Enrique, one of Skrtel or Agger, and Johnson will make up the remaining unit (unlucky for the superb Martin Kelly) with of course Pepe Reina between the sticks. Cardiff are waiting on the fitness of captain Mark Hudson and midfielder Stephen McPhail before Mackay finalises his line-up. Goalkeeper Tom Heaten is expected to return between the sticks and leading scorers Miller and Whittingham have the talent to keep Liverpool's back line extremely busy. If McPhail isn't deemed ready for a full 90minutes just yet I expect their full line up to be - Heaton, McNaughton, Hudson, Turner, Taylor, Whittingham, Gunnarsson, Cowie, Conway, Mason, Miller. It would be nice to see Anthony Gerrard play some part for the Blues and have both cousins on the pitch at the same time against each other some tasty sunday afternoon tackles could certainly heat up the family dinner! I see this being quite an open game, allot tighter than both sets of supporters maybe secretly thinking. In the end I believe Liverpools superior class over 90minutes will tell. Expect to see Steven Gerrard lifting the trophy after a hard-thought victory. Meaning Kenny Dalglish will become only the third manager in history to lift all three domestic trophies. Where will it leave both clubs for the remainder of the season? I wouldn't be surprised to see Liverpool achieve the Cup Double and add the FA Cup in May, though narrowly miss out on 4th spot. Both cups would be an excellent season of progress for Kenny's men to build on - success ultimately breeds success and the League Cup is often the starter - Mourinho 2005, George Graham 1987 and even Manchester United in 1992. As for Cardiff regardless of the final result I believe lady luck will finally smile on them in May and they will achieve a well deserved promotion to the Premier League where they will be a tough battle for anyone. Apparently it's going to start getting hotter over the weekend, what better way to bring forward the looming Spring over the horizon with a beautiful day out at Wembley and two well supported and deserving teams. Make no mistake, the League Cup competition is very, very worthwhile... which is why Sundays match is more than just a day out in London. As the great Bill Shankly said 'If you are first you are first. If you are second you are nothing.' Good luck to both teams. My scoreline prediction: Liverpool 2 1 Cardiff. (I'll be putting a spare £10 on that at 8-1 Ladbrokes)