I don’t know about you but the English League Cup, otherwise known as Carling Cup, always has me running scared – from a betting perspective. You just never know which teams are showing the competition the respect it deserves, and those in the Premier League are the worst culprits.
We’re only at the Second Round stage but already the competition is hotting up, with thirteen clubs from the English top-flight – those who don’t have European commitments in 2011-2012 – set to enter the fray. But we will see any major upsets? If so, who’ll be this year’s giant-killers?
Could Exeter eliminate the competition’s most decorated club? The Grecians will entertain Liverpool at St James Park in a dream tie for the Devon outfit that you can catch live on Sky Sports 1.
Everton endured another miserable pre-season and could be vulnerable on the back of a 1-0 home defeat to QPR, with the Toffees up against Sheffield United at Goodison Park.
Meanwhile, Premier League new boys Norwich tackle League One pacesetters MK Dons at Carrow Road, Blackburn host Sheffield Wednesday at Ewood Park while Wolves and Newcastle both have potentially awkward away encounters with lower league opposition in the form of Northampton and Scunthorpe.
A shock is inevitable; there could even be a few looking at all 19 ties scheduled for this week, so it really does beg the question why on earth I’ve gone with my picks.
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EVERTON to beat Sheffield United (Everton V Sheff Utd; Wed, 24 Aug)
A demoralised Everton certainly look vulnerable on the back of a miserable pre-season; a severe lack of funds meant the club didn’t bring in a single new player during the summer while confidence in camp will be at its lowest for quite some time following the 1-0 home reverse to QPR at the weekend. Their Second Round opponents are a Sheffield United side in buoyant mood, the Blades having made an encouraging start to life down in League One with a four-match unbeaten run consisting of three wins and a draw.
Despite all the negativity which has engulfed Goodison, I fully expect the Toffees to chalk up their first win of the campaign on Wednesday, albeit against inferior opposition. A lack of depth means David Moyes will have to name a strong XI, mainly because he doesn’t have many other alternatives with what could best be described as a threadbare squad. It is, however, a squad which boasts its fair share of outstanding individuals and it’s about time they collectively raised their game during what is an incredibly difficult period for the Merseysiders.
After a drastic start to the new season, this is a glorious opportunity for Everton to not really amend the weekend’s wrongs but to finally get that elusive first win under their belts which should lift morale ahead of Saturday’s trip to Blackburn in the league – hence why David Moyes SHOULD name an ultra strong line-up, especially as the club doesn’t have any European commitments in 2011-2012.
Best odds: 4/9 Bet365
LIVERPOOL to beat Exeter (Exeter V Liverpool; Wed, 24 Aug)
It has been a while since the Reds were in League Cup action at such an early stage of proceedings, but their lack of European involvement should enhance their claims for a first domestic trophy for seven years as Liverpool set their sights on an eighth English League Cup triumph.
A trip to Devon isn’t ideal but the tie certainly is, kicking off against League One’s Exeter City. It will be an opportunity for manager Kenny Dalglish to exploit the full potential of a squad now boasting a wealth of quality in depth, something Jamie Carragher paid tribute to after Saturday’s 2-0 win at Arsenal.
I suspect there will be wholesale changes; Doni replacing Reina between the sticks; John Flanagan, Danny Wilson Emiliano Insua and Sotirios Kyrgiakos will all come into defensive contention; Jay spearing will almost certainly play the anchorman in a midfield containing Joe Cole, Raul Meireles, Maxi Rodriguez and possibly Jonjo Shelvey, while up front Daniel Pacheco, the 20-year-old Spaniard who has made just 5 first-team appearances for the club, could be handed a rare start and a window of opportunity to showcase his talents, with fellow striker David N’Gog on the verge of signing for Bolton.
Although wholesale changes is rarely viewed as a positive move, in this case it can be. There will be numerous players desperate to impress King Kenny ahead of an exciting campaign which has every chance of ending in silverware, whether it be in this competition or another. Plus, their opponents are prime for the taking having made a torrid start to the new term, losing three and winning none of their opening four fixtures in League One, where they currently reside in 22nd position.
Best odds: 2/5 Bet365
WEST BROM to beat Bournemouth (Bournemouth V West Brom; Tue, 23 Aug)
Following two gruelling league encounters with Man Utd and Chelsea, Roy Hodgson is set to rotate his West Brom squad, a healthy sized one at that, ahead of Tuesday’s trip down south to Bournemouth. The Baggies were dispatched by both United and Chelsea despite valiant displays in both, so a chance to freshen things up could be just what the doctor ordered.
Gonzalo Jara, Marek Cech, Graham Dorrans and summer signing Gareth McAuley are just some of the fringe players who will come into contention, while there is no shortage of forward options with Simon Cox, Marc-Antoine Fortune and Peter Odemwingie all vying for some playing time, the latter – top scorer last season with 15 Premier League goals – having only recently returned to first-team action and will be eager to get some minutes under his belt.
So it will be a competitive West Brom team that makes the trip to Dean Court to face a Bournemouth side who have been sluggish in the early parts of the season. The Cherries are languishing down in 20th position after three defeats from their first four league fixtures, so the arrival of superior opposition to what they are used to facing is far from ideal.
Best odds: EVENS VictorChandler
BRISTOL ROVERS to beat Watford (Bristol Rovers V Watford; Tue, 23 Aug)
Rovers were a busy club over the summer, bringing in former Torquay manager Paul Buckle who later went and signed a whole host of players who should steer The Pirates into promotion contention at the very minimum in 2011-2012.
They’re up against what I would describe as an ‘average’ Watford side who’ve made a dismal start to the new campaign, failing to win any of their first four games, registering just points. The Hornets have also mustered just one league goal thus far.
By the way, this is actually a First Round clash, as the original fixture has to be postponed due to the on-going riots in Bristol at the time.
Best odds: 19/10 Bet365
HUDDERSFIELD to beat Cardiff (Cardiff V Huddersfield; Tue, 23 Aug)
My final pick is my most handsome one; Huddersfield of League One to leave Championship side Cardiff stunned at the Cardiff City stadium.
The Welsh side will boast home advantage, which is always crucial in cup ties, but they’ve gone a little off the pace since winning their opening two league games, failing to win either of their next two. The Bluebirds also struggled to overcome Oxford in the previous round, a much-changed Cardiff eleven eventually winning 3-1 after extra-time.
Meanwhile, Huddersfield opened their league account with a succession of draws, no fewer than three in fact, but I’m hoping they’ve established some momentum after Saturday’s 3-2 comeback win over Colchester.
The Terries are, or were, the outright favourites for League One, so this should give manager Lee Clark a rough idea of where his team are at. And speaking of the Huddersfield chief, Clark, in his pre-match interview, insists his team won’t be phased by the calibre of opposition and that his charges will give their absolute all in a bid to reach the Third Round, hinting that he would name almost his strongest eleven similar to the one which thumped Port Vale 4-2, away from home, in the previous round.
Best odds: 7/2 WilliamHill
The Carling is on me should this five-timer deliver at 50/1 with VictorChandler!
