There’s no Champions League or Europa League fixtures this midweek, but there’s plenty for lovers of football betting to get stuck into thanks to the third round of the EFL Cup which takes place on Tuesday and Wednesday.
We have some fantastic ties in store, including a few all-Premier League clashes that’ll take all the solving. It’s an accumulator backer’s dream, but you don’t have to do it all on your own.
Our team of experienced sports gamblers lend a hand, previewing the biggest match on each of the two nights. Great news, you can even follow your bets live thanks to the Sky Sports coverage from 7.45pm.
Manchester United – Derby
Jose Mourinho has a lot on his plate this season as The Red Devils target success in the English Premier League and Champions League, so you shouldn’t be surprised if ‘The Special One’ doesn’t give the League Cup his full, undivided attention.
He is under a bit of pressure at Old Trafford at the moment, however, especially from certain sections of the media who believe he should be doing better given the money he has spent. So there’s no way they can afford to bow out of the competition early, especially to lower league opposition.
Derby started the new Championship season in fine style and picked up four wins and a draw in their first eight outings. The Rams secured an impressive victory over Hull City away from home in the last round, smashing The Tigers 4-0 in front of their own fans.
Former Glasgow Rangers striker, Waghorn, scored the first goal in that match, bulging the net on 25 minutes and that opened the floodgates. Jozefzoon doubled up shortly after, Fleming knocked the ball into his own net under heavy pressure midway through the second-half and Mount added the fourth and final strike with a minute of regulation time remaining.
Jose to Freshen Things Up
Mourinho will freshen his side up a little, bringing in several fringe and youth players he believes are good enough to win the match and hungry enough to impress supporters. That’s just what we expect them to do too. There are not many chances for a man on the outskirts of the first team to get game time at United these days, so anyone coming in must make an impression.
United are favourites for the win at 2/7 – top price with Betfred – the draw available at 11/2. The away day won’t receive much attention, even with a cracking 12/1 up for grabs at Ladbrokes. Take a chance and back the home side -1 goal on the handicap at 8/11 (bet365). Well worth a spot in your accumulators.
Liverpool – Chelsea
Game of the night on Wednesday and this will also be, by far, the best fixture of the round. Not as exciting a match as it would be if it were taking place in the Premier League with three points up for grabs but there are so much needle and history between these rivals they don’t know how to take it easy. Neither manager will play hist best 11, but it won’t be a million miles away.
The Blues have really impressed in the opening few weeks of the season – against the expectations of many – and they lead the title race after five games, carrying a 100% record. That record is shared by just one other team – Liverpool. This will be interesting, the enemies looking to prove a point.
Liverpool have their tails up and after reaching the final of the Champions League last term, narrowly beaten by Real Madrid; they exploded out of the traps in the Premier League. They also made a statement when rallying to beat French giants PSG at Anfield last week, nicking a jaw-dropping 3-2 result thanks to 91st minute winner from Firmino.
The Reds took a 2-1 lead into the break that night, Sturridge and Milner on the scoresheet to better a reply from Meuier. When boy wonder Mbappe levelled on 83 minutes it looked like both sides would get a share, and few would’ve grudged them it either. No, there was to be one final twist in the tale, Firmino climbing off the bench to make all the difference.
You’ve Got to Fancy Goals
There are valid reasons to back both sides for the win here and we wouldn’t put anyone off trusting either with their stake money. Liverpool won’t roll over at home, their fans just don’t allow it. They do have the Champions League to contend with, however. Chelsea doesn’t and that could see the Londoners take this a little more seriously than their hosts.
The shrewd move would be avoiding the unpredictability of calling the match-winner all together and, instead, having a punt on this being a gripping match with plenty of goals for us to enjoy. Both teams to score is settled as our NAP at 8/11 (Betfred).