We are down to 16 teams in the EFL Carabao Cup and on Wednesday we have five all Premier League match ups to tackle.
This round begins on Tuesday with Bradford vs Peterborough and Fleetwood vs Arsenal whilst on Thursday Everton will host Newcastle. Let’s focus on Wednesday’s games.
Man City vs Brighton
City are the holders of this trophy and they joined this season’s competition in the previous round where they thumped Norwich 5-0 in a home fixture. City have 2 of 3 UCL matches and after 7 straight wins in the EPL they went down 2-1 at Villa at the weekend but remain top, ahead of Arsenal on goal difference.
Brighton also began their Carabao Cup story in Round 3 away to Man United. They were in trouble at 2-0 down inside 10 minutes but turned it around to come away with a 3-2 win. Brighton lost 2-0 at Liverpool in the EPL on Sunday but remain in third place and they are also unbeaten in the Europa Conference League.
Verdict:
City gave game time to a number of youngsters in the previous round and their team sheet will make interesting reading given this is a stronger test. Both sides have been busy although you could perhaps argue Brighton haven’t been overly extended in the Europa Conference League.
I’ll take my chances with the price boost for both teams to score and over 3.5 goals in total in regulation time.
Bet: Both teams to score and over 3.5 total goals? Yes boosted to 17/10 from 6/4 with Sportingbet
Bournemouth vs Aston Villa
Bournemouth put Lincoln City away 4-0 in a Round 3 home fixture with Ryan Christie scoring a hat trick. They are in really good shape right now with 4 wins in their 4 outings, 2 in the EPL and 2 in the Europa League which included a 3-0 victory over AC Milan here.
Villa were 3-1 winners away to Coventry in their only Carabao Cup action so far, Tammy Abraham scored 2 of their goals. They have won 3 from 3 in the UCL and after a poor start to the EPL season after beating Man City at the weekend they have now taken 10 points from their last 4 league outings to climb into the top half.
Verdict:
Team sheets will probably be worth waiting for here as this looks really tricky with both sides in form in the EPL and going well in their respective European competitions.
I would expect Tammy Abraham to the bulk if not all of the game so his price boost for 2 or more shots on target enters the equation.
Bet: Tammy Abraham 2+ shots on target at 17/5 from 11/4 with Sportingbet
Fulham vs Crystal Palace
Fulham were 3-0 winners at home to Wimbledon in Round 2 and they followed up with a 3-2 win away to West Ham in the previous round. They have won back to back league games to climb out of the bottom 3, at home to Hull and away at Coventry (both 1-0).
Palace joined the competition in Round 3 and saw off Championship high flyers Middlesbrough with a 3-0 home win with Strand-Larsen scoring 2 of their goals. They are coming under pressure in the EPL after back to back defeats at Brighton 5-0 and then at home to Newcastle (2-0) and two recent UEL matches delivered a defeat at Lyon and a draw at Besiktas.
Verdict:
Palace have already won at Craven Cottage earlier this season, they edged a league game 3-2 with Tyrick Mitchell scoring 2 of their goals but it’s been going pear shaped recently and the coach is reportedly in danger of losing his job.
I doubt either coach would welcome extra time so a chance is taken on both teams to score with either team to win.
Bet: Both teams to score and either team to win? Yes at 13/10 with Sportingbet
Sunderland vs Brentford
A second half goal from Talbi gave Sunderland a 1-0 home win over Hull City in Round 3. They have been going well in the Europa League with 2 wins and 1 draw rotating their side but in the EPL they are bottom of the standings with just 5 points and their only win came at home to Fulahm in Round 2.
Brentford’s Carabao Cup story began away to Brimingham in Round 2 and they dished out a 6-11 hiding to the Championship side. In the next round they were 2-1 winners away to Reading. Theya re currently sixth in the EPL where their only defeat came at home to Liverpool, a game they finished with 9 men.
Verdict:
These teams have already met at Brentford in the EPL and it finished all square at 1-1. Sunderland are up against it in the EPL and have a huge game coming up away to Coventry at the weekend. They have also been juggling resources with the Europa League and whilst a few fringe players may have a point to prove, you have to think Brentford will be more incentivised than the hosts.
I’m with 2 goals or more in the second half thinking that the visitors may well stack their bench.
Bet: 2nd half totals over 1.5 at 19/20 with Sportingbet
Liverpool vs Chelsea
Liverpool joined the competition in Round 3 where they were 3-1 winners at home to Spurs with Mac Allister, Gakpo and Szoboszlai registering their goals. A much needed home win, 2-0 against Brighton in the EPL at the weekend moved Liverpool up to fourth and in the UCL they are 3 wins from 3.
Chelsea were 2-0 winners at home to Luton in Round 2 and followed up by blitzing Leeds in the second half of a 6-3 home win (0-1 half time) with Palmer and Welbeck both scoring twice. Although they are fifth their EPL form is still a bit hit and miss and at the weekend they went down 2-0 at home to Spurs.
Verdict:
A really tough call in the absence of team sheets but I will side with btts yes and 4 goals or more. .
Bet: Both teams to score and over 3.5 total goals at 13/10 with Sportingbet
Prices are subject to change