Our football analyst previews all eight EFL Cup round of 16 matches, which get underway on Tuesday the 24th of October 2017.
The fourth round of the Carabao Cup returns in midweek. Of the big teams, Arsenal and Manchester City face lower league clubs, while Manchester United, Chelsea and Tottenham go up against Premier League opposition.
Tuesday 24 October
Arsenal 1/4 | Draw 5/1 | Norwich City 15/2 (20:45)
Arsenal entertain Norwich at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday. Arsene Wenger’s side had to work hard to get the better of League One outfit Doncaster with Theo Walcott scoring the game’s only goal at the Emirates. The Gunners will be hoping for a much better performance against Daniel Farke’s men. They’re unbeaten in their last five meetings against the Canaries with Wenger’s side winning four times.
Their last encounter was in April last year when Danny Welbeck gave Arsenal a 1-0 win at the Emirates. Norwich have reached the fourth round in five of their last six seasons, losing on penalties at Leeds and Everton to miss out on a place in the last eight in the past two campaigns. Arsenal should win here, but I suggest taking Both Teams to Score at 6/10 – eight of the last 11 meetings between the sides have seen both teams on the scoresheet.
Bournemouth 7/10 | Draw 11/4 | Middlesbrough 7/2 (20:45)
Bournemouth play host to Middlesbrough on Tuesday night. Eddie Howe’s side have so far managed to overcome clashes with Birmingham and Brighton, while Garry Monk’s men have breezed past Scunthorpe United and Aston Villa without conceding a goal.
These sides last met in April with the Cherries claiming a 4-0 win at the Vitality Stadium. The Boro have failed to win – and register a goal – in their last three visits to Bournemouth, shipping seven goals in two defeats. Back Howe’s side to win at 7/10.
Bristol City 31/20 | Draw 23/10 | Crystal Palace 33/20 (20:45)
Premier League strugglers Crystal Palace travel to Ashton Gate to take on Championship side Bristol City. Palace boss Roy Hodgson will return to the club he spent a brief time in charge of during the era of 1982. These sides’ last meeting came in the 2013/14 League Cup with the Robins running out 2-1 victors on their turf.
For a second successive season Lee Johnson’s men have progressed into the fourth round of the competition, having beaten Plymouth Argyle, Watford and Stoke City. The Eagles defeated Ipswich and Huddersfield at Selhurst Park to get to this stage. But they’ve been dreadful in the Premier League and I’m backing the Robins on the Win/Draw Double Chance at 9/20.
Leicester City 5/10 | Draw 33/10 | Leeds United 5/1 (20:45)
Leicester City will welcome Championship side Leeds United to the King Power Stadium. The sides last did battle three years ago with a solitary goal from David Nugent securing victory for the Foxes at Elland Road. The Foxes have so far beaten Sheffield United away in the second round and in the last round they beat Liverpool 2-0 at the King Power.
The Whites comfortably saw off League Two opponents in Port Vale (4-1) and Newport County (5-1) at Elland Road in the first and second rounds respectively, before beating Burnley 5-3 in a penalty shootout after a 2-2 draw in the third round. I’m going for the home win.
Swansea City 57/10 | Draw 32/10 | Manchester Utd 9/20 (20:45)
League Cup holders Manchester United will make the trip to the Liberty Stadium to take on Swansea. These sides met in the Premier League two months ago with Jose Mourinho’s side thrashing the Swans 4-0 in south Wales.
The Red Devils also won at the Liberty Stadium last season, earning a 3-1 victory thanks to Paul Pogba’s stunning drive and two goals from Zlatan Ibrahimovic. United’s squad depth looks excellent and they can afford to rest some of their key players and still win comfortably. The away win is a banker, but take the Red Devils on the (-1) Handicap at 5/4.
Manchester City 1/10 | Draw 8/1 | Wolves 16/1 (21:00)
Manchester City are favourites to win the Carabao Cup at 7/2 with Hollywoodbets. Pep Guardiola’s side beat West Brom 2-1 in the third round thanks to a brace from Leroy Sane, while Championship side Wolves saw off Bristol Rovers courtesy of an extra-time goal by Bright Enobakhare.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side, who also beat Yeovil and Southampton, have reached the fourth round for the first time since October 2011 when they were dumped out by City who won 5-2 at Molineux. That same month also saw their last trip to the Etihad, with City beating Mick McCarthy’s team 3-1 in the Premier League. Back City to win on the Half-time/Full-time Double at 4/10.
Wednesday 25 October
Chelsea 4/10 | Draw 36/10 | Everton 6/1 (20:45)
Chelsea welcome Everton to Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night. These sides last met in this competition in the 2011/2012 campaign when Daniel Sturridge scored an extra-time winner for the Blues at Goodison Park.
Antonio Conte’s men have already beaten the Toffees on home soil in the Premier League this season thanks to goals from Spanish pair Cesc Fabregas and Alvaro Morata. Chelsea have won their last three meetings against Everton, scoring 10 goals without reply. Conte’s men steamrolled Nottingham Forest 5-1 in the third round and they should see off the Toffees here.
Tottenham 5/10 | Draw 7/2 | West Ham 47/10 (21:00)
Tottenham will battle West Ham at Wembley on Wednesday in arguably the tie of the round. The Hammers have managed to get some positive results against Spurs in recent seasons, winning five and earning a draw in their last 10 meetings.
However, Mauricio Pochettino’s side beat them 3-2 at the London Stadium in the Premier League last month. Spurs have struggled at Wembley, therefore I’m backing Both Teams to Score at 13/20.
TREBLE TIPPED @ 42/10
Man United (-1) Handicap 5/4
Chelsea Win 4/10
Tottenham vs West Ham BTTS 13/20
