Football – England – Capital One Cup 1st Round
Wednesday 13th August 2014 – Kickoff: 1945hrs
It’s the first round of the Capital One Cup (or the League Cup if you prefer), and Sheffield United entertain League Two outfit Mansfield Town at Bramall Lane.
Sheffield United started their League One campaign with a disappointing 1-2 home defeat to Bristol City who finished mid-table at the end of last season but are tipped to do well this term under manager Steve Cotterill.
However, Nigel Clough’s men will be keen to bounce back here tonight in a competition that they’ll feel they can progress to at least the third round if the fixtures are kind to them. Last season, The Blades were knocked out in the first round when they lost 1-2 to Burton Albion, but with a first day defeat on Saturday, I reckon we’ll see a more determined United outfit this time around.
Visitors Mansfield Town also suffered an opening day defeat of their League Two campaign when they lost 0-1 away at Northampton Town who are one of my ‘dark horse’ tips to perhaps make a play-off place this season under manager Chris Wilder.
Back to Mansfield though, and they too crashed out of this competition at the first hurdle last season with a 0-2 defeat away at Tranmere Rovers who at the time were a League One side. In their first season back in the football league last term, The Stags finished a creditable mid-table but they may have to wait another couple of seasons to mount a serious promotion challenge.
It’s always a bit of a risk when you dabble in the League Cup as you’re not sure how serious some of the teams take the competition now, but with a larger squad and more depth at their disposal, I’ll back Sheffield United to take this tie, particularly as they lost on Saturday. Manager Clough will be keen to get that ‘winning feeling’ back at Bramall Lane as soon as possible as they prepare for what could be a big season for them. United to edge this perhaps 1-0.
Pick: Sheffield United straight win @ 1.67 Bet Victor
