The big boys will surely take this opportunity to rest a few players after a busy few weeks of international and continental action, while for the smaller fry still left in this EFL – or Carabao Cup as we should probably call it – have an opportunity to land a big scalp. The prize of a Wembley day out is not that far in the horizon.
So who makes up our EFL Cup betting tips this Tuesday?
Arsenal vs Norwich (Tuesday, 7:45pm)
We know that Arsene Wenger enjoys these domestic cup competitions, and indeed winning the FA Cup has arguably saved him as Arsenal manager on more than one occasion.
The Gunners enjoy battling it out for cup silverware, and while a top four finish has to be a priority winning this match, on home soil and against lower-league opposition, will be high on Wenger’s to-do list this week.
Norwich are going well in the Championship, but their stats are rather uninspiring. They have only scored two or more goals in 3/13 matches this term and just once in their last nine, and a side preoccupied with defence will surely come away empty handed from the Emirates – particularly with how good Arsenal looked as an attacking force in the 5-2 win at Everton on Sunday.
Recommended Bet
Arsenal to Win to Nil (6/4 with bet365)
Bristol City vs Crystal Palace (Tuesday, 7:45pm)
Bristol City have been mostly very good at Ashton Gate this season, and so Saturday’s 0-3 loss against Leeds on home soil will have come as much as a surprise to them as it will have done punters.
But the Robins will regroup and presumably fancy the job on Tuesday night against a Crystal Palace side that still hasn’t scored away from home this term.
Roy Hodgson may just adopt an experimental approach here as he seeks a winning solution on the road, and that will surely play into the hosts’ hands. They will sniff a cup upset here.
Recommended Bet
Bristol City Draw No Bet (19/20 with Paddy Power)
Manchester City vs Wolves (Tuesday, 7:45pm)
Manchester City are bulldozing all and sundry at the Etihad Stadium this season, but you fancy that Pep Guardiola may just make some changes to his side after a busy few weeks for his players.
The EFL Cup must rank fourth out of four on his list of priorities this term, and he surely won’t risk any players struggling with knocks or fitness. If Wolves can keep the likes of Leroy Sane and Bernardo Silva quiet, they have a chance.
The bookmakers have the West Midlanders priced at 20/1 to win this game, and while those odds will tempt some the Asian Handicap market is ripe for the picking. Surely Nuno Santo, the Wolves boss, will pick a strong side to take to Manchester?
Recommended Bet
Wolves +2.25 Asian Handicap (5/4 with bet365)
Leicester City vs Leeds United (Wednesday, 7:45pm)
In the last round of this competition a much-changed Leicester side did well to get past Liverpool, and clearly the option to bring in fringe players like Islam Slimani and Demarai Gray does not harm the Foxes too much – both are top talents.
But Leeds broke their away day hoodoo with an excellent 3-0 win at Bristol City on Saturday, and they will be determined to keep that upward trend in motion here.
The Yorkshire side have routinely raised their game against Premier League opposition in recent years – who can forget their famous win over Manchester United in the FA Cup, and they may just sense another momentous victory in the Midlands.
Recommended Bet
Leeds +1.00 Asian Handicap (17/16 with BetFred)
