Monthly Archives: September 2011

Flying Seagulls eye Reds’ scalp

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The second batch of Carling Cup third round matches continue on Wednesday night with two all Premier League encounters and holders Birmingham at big-spending Manchester City, but the stand-out tie is Brighton playing host to Liverpool.

BRIGHTON V LIVERPOOL 7.45pm

Gus Poyet’s side have taken the Championship by storm this season following promotion from League One, although they tasted defeat for the first time in seven outings at Leicester City on Saturday.

However, the Seagulls have not lost a competitive game at their new Amex Stadium with Liverpool’s Premier League rivals Sunderland being dumped out after extra-time there in the previous round.

And, with Kenny Dalglish’s side enduring an early season stutter following back-to-back defeats at Stoke and Tottenham, they could find the going tough on the south coast this week.

The Reds’ hopes will be boosted by the anticipated return of skipper Steven Gerrard (7/4 Anytime Goalscorer) following a six-month injury absence, but Charlie Adam and Martin Skrtel are banned following red cards at Spurs in Sunday’s 4-0 defeat.

Daniel Agger is missing with a broken rib so Sebastian Coates could make his first start for the club.

The sides have not met for over 20 years when Liverpool edged a five-goal thriller in the FA Cup, but they could be in for a long night on this occasion if they are to reach round four.

Prediction: Draw 90 Minutes @ 3/1
Value Bet: Brighton/Draw Half-Time/Full-Time @ 12/1

MAN CITY V BIRMINGHAM 7.45pm

Holders Birmingham will have their work cut out to emulate a repeat success in 2012 as they look ahead to a daunting trip to face money-bags City at the Etihad Stadium.

The Blues slipped out of the Premier League following the elation of defeating Arsenal at Wembley in February, while Chris Hughton has replaced Alex McLeish as manager.

Cash problems have seen several of last season’s cup heroes depart St Andrew’s and Hughton’s men have managed just two wins from their opening six games in the Championship.

They go to City on the back of a 4-1 thumping at Southampton and will do well to avoid a similar result as Hughton plans to make changes as his side struggle with the demands of domestic and Europa League football.

City will also be much-changed, but the likes of Owen Hargreaves (10/3 Anytime Goalscorer) could be called upon to make his debut for Roberto Mancini’s side, who should have too much for the visitors.

City have not lost in their previous 10 matches and have scored 17 goals in five league games so far this term so expect a few more in this game.

Prediction: Man City Home 90 Minutes @ 1/5
Value Bet: Man City 4-0 Correct Score @ 10/1

CHELSEA V FULHAM 7.45pm

A London derby at Stamford Bridge will see Andre Villas-Boas getting his first taste of cup football in England and it is likely that, while he will have his sights set on lifting the trophy (11/2 Outright), he will make some alterations to his side from the one that lost 3-1 at Manchester United on Sunday.

That said, Didier Drogba (10/3 First/Last Goalscorer) is expected to return to action to spear-head the Blues’ forward line.

Fulham will also be depleted as Aaron Hughes, Andrew Johnson and Bobby Zamora look set to all miss out, although £10.6million summer signing Bryan Ruiz could feature.

Fulham have not got past this stage since the 2004-05 season and, with Chelsea enjoying a superior head-to-head record, everything points to a home win.

Prediction: Chelsea Home 90 Minutes @ 3/10
Value Bet: Drogba, D 1st Goal Chelsea 2-0 @ 14/1

Meanwhile, in Wednesday’s three other games, Premier League rivals Everton and West Brom go up against each other at Goodison Park.

David Moyes’ Toffees (4/6 Home) have won five of their last seven home games, while Roy Hodgson’s Baggies (9/2 Away) might sit bottom of the Premier League table, but they have only lost three of their last 10 on the road in all competitions.

The return of Louis Saha to the Everton forward line might prove the difference, but this tie is expected to go the distance (13/5 Draw).

Championship leaders Southampton (4/7 Home) should have no trouble in accounting for League One outfit Preston (5/1 Away) at St Mary’s, but a tight game is in store (12/5 Draw) in South Wales when Cardiff (11/8 Home) face Championship rivals Leicester City (19/10 Away) at the Cardiff City Stadium.

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Spain stars in Mestalla shoot-out

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Roberto Soldado and David Villa will bid for top billing when unbeaten leaders Valencia entertain champions Barcelona in the pick of five La Liga matches on Wednesday.

Former Getafe striker Soldado has pushed his claim to be the principal striker for Los Che with five goals in three game league games so far this season – including a hat-trick in a 4-3 win against Racing Santander on the opening weekend of the Spanish season – and will be desperate to show former Mestalla favourite Villa he is not missed.

Villa – who scored 107 league goals in five seasons for Valencia, before leaving for Camp Nou at the start of last season – has had to play second fiddle to free-scoring Argentinian maestro Lionel Messi but finally opened his campaign with a brace in the 8-0 rout of Osasuna at the weekend.

The World Cup winner missed the corresponding fixture at Mestalla last season (which Barca won 1-0), but will be anxious to put one over his former employers.

Soldado, given his start to the season, is a wholly attractive 9/4 to score anytime against Barca. He is also a speculative 8/1 to score first, which he has done is two of Valencia’s three La Liga games so far.

Villa cannot be ignored at 5/4 to score anytime with the incentive of going back to the Mestalla, while Barca can be backed at 1/3 in the To Score First Goal market, which is priced accordingly given that this bet would have landed in all of their three La Liga games so far.

Gerard Pique, who suffered a calf injury during training for the Spanish Super Cup on August 23, took part in training on Monday but Pep Guardiola has given no indication whether he will replace makeshift central defender Javier Mascherano.

Elsewhere in La Liga on Wednesday, Real Madrid should get back on track against winless Racing Santander at Campos de Sport de El Sardinero (Racing Santander 11/1, draw 5/1, Real Madrid 2/9 – Match Prices).

Atletico Madrid will be hoping to make it three clean sheets on the bounce in all competitions, when they play host to basement club Sporting Gijon (Atletico Madrid 2/5, draw 10/3, Sporting Gijon 13/2 – Match Prices).

And this summer’s big-spenders Malaga will be expected to collect maximum points and keep a third La Liga clean sheet against strugglers Athletic Bilbao (Malaga 4/6, draw 11/4, Athletic Bilbao 4/1 – Match Prices).

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United out for revenge

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There are some tasty looking fixtures on Tuesday night as the Carling Cup becomes the focus once more, with two all Premier League clashes as well as an old rivalry renewed.

Leeds host Manchester United at Elland Road in a fierce rivalry clash with the Red Devils, unsurprisingly, strong favourites at 8/15 with the hosts available at 5/1 to spring a surprise and the draw at 3/1.

Sir Alex Ferguson has a tendency to field his fringe players in what is perceived by many as the weakest competition but he does have previous, having won the trophy three times in the last six years (United 6/1 to go all the way again).

A weakened team came unstuck against West Ham last season so there is always the potential for an upset, and Leeds did exactly that when landing a huge price to knock United out of the FA Cup in 2010 with a 1-0 at Old Trafford, when a League One side.

With the riches on offer by earning promotion to the Premier League, there is no guarantee that Simon Grayson will pick his strongest side, despite leading Leeds past Bradford and Doncaster to make it this far.

Ferguson might still be smarting from the FA Cup shock and with his side having made an impressive start to the season, it would be difficult to see his charges doing anything other than progressing.

United have won on their last two visits to Elland Road and have never lost to Leeds in the Carling Cup but it could be worth waiting for the teams news to see if that offers hope to the underdog.

Stoke and Tottenham go head-to-head at the Britannia Stadium after contrasting fortunes at the weekend, with the Potters getting trounced 4-0 at Sunderland, while Spurs enjoyed a 4-0 demolition of Liverpool.

Team selection is going to be key in this game with both managers also having to contend with the demands of the Europa League.

Tony Pulis’ men do have home advantage and have made the Britannia a difficult place to go – just ask Liverpool and Chelsea – and have been installed as marginal favourites at 8/5 in the match betting, with Spurs on offer at 13/8 and the draw at 12/5.

It may pay to side with the north Londoners on this occasion as they are coming into form having registered back-to-back wins in the top-flight and won home and away against Stoke last term.

They also have the less arduous task on Saturday when they travel to Wigan, with the Potters hosting the league-leading defending champions.

Aston Villa entertain Bolton in the other all Premier League fixture and this looks like a home banker, with Alex McLeish’s men priced at 5/6, the draw at 12/5 and Owen Coyle’s side available at 7/2.

Villa are unbeaten in their last eight home matches in all competitions and have a fantastic record in the competition, lifting the trophy five times and reaching the final eight times.

Things have gone spectacularly wrong for the Trotters following a 4-0 opening weekend win over QPR, having lost four successive league games, conceding 13 goals in the process, while the only win in the last five was a 2-1 home success over League Two Macclesfield in the second round.

It is difficult to see Arsenal (1/5), Wolves (4/5) and Blackburn (4/11) coming unstuck at home, while Newcastle (5/4) should have enough to see off Nottingham Forest (21/10), given the Championship side’s early struggles this season.

Middlesbrough (13/10) are fancied to continue their good form at Crystal Palace (19/10), with Rochdale (7/4) and Milton Keynes Dons (13/5) capable of winnign at Aldershot (6/4) and Burnley (Evens) respectively.

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Jewell targets crucial win

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Ipswich v Coventry is the Championship game on Monday evening, when both teams will go in search of much need victory. Both Town and City are loitering above the relegation zone and either manager will be feeling the heat should there team end up on losing this fixture (Ipswich Evs, draw 23/10, Coventry 11/4 – Match Betting).

Paul Jewell’s side have endured a poor start to the new campaign, and have been on the receiving end of a couple of thrashings from Southampton and Peterborough. They do have wins to their name against Leeds and Bristol City, and are certainly capable of getting the better of an average-looking Coventry side at Portman Road.

Goals should not be a problem to come by for Jewell’s side, with Michael Chopra and Daryl Murphy both capable of scoring plenty at this level. Chopra is 9/2 to score the first goal and despite drawing a blank since a brace on the opening day, there looks to be good value in backing the former Cardiff striker – there is certainly more to come from the 27-year old once he fully settles in.

Ipswich made 12 additions to their squad over the summer and have not quite gelled as a unit yet, but it is only a matter of time before they start firing and can easily move up the table quickly. If they do settle as a side, they have the players on paper to challenge for a play-off spot.

Coventry, on the other hand, look set to be in a battle to remain in the Championship this season. They have won just one game so this season, which was their previous game at home to Derby. Goals have been hard to come by for the Sky Blues, just five goals in seven games so far, and without a regular goalscorer, it would come as no surprise if Coventry are not in or around the danger zone come the end of the season.

The one bit of solace for the Sky Blues comes at the back, as defensively they have been pretty solid, with no-one yet turning them over.

Both Paul Jewell and Andy Thorn have come under a little bit of pressure and even at this early stage in the season, this could prove to be a crucial match. With a lot riding on this match, don’t be surprised if both teams try to keep it tight. Ipswich (2-1 Correct Score – 7/1) will be particularly anxious in front of their home fans, but should have enough to prevail.

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McCoist ready for Old Firm clash

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ally mccoistAlly McCoist may be preparing for his first-ever Old Firm game as manager on Sunday, but he is no stranger to the feisty Glasgow encounter (Rangers 6/4 draw 9/4 Celtic 9/5).

The 48-year-old hit 273 goals in 581 appearances during a 15-year-long playing career at Ibrox, before enjoying two spells as assistant to manager Walter Smith.

Smith retired over the summer allowing McCoist to make step-up into his first managerial role. The former Scotland international has made a solid start to life in the Ibrox hotseat, wining five and drawing one of their opening six league games to sit a point clear of Celtic at the top.

However, he now faces his biggest test to date when his side play host to their bitter local rivals on Sunday lunchtime.

The Old Firm games are often pivotal in deciding who wins the SPL title, given the last side to win the league outside of the Glasgow duo was Aberdeen in 1985.

McCoist is all too aware of the size of Sunday’s encounter, especially on a personal level now he is manager.

“I was very lucky as a player against Celtic and hopefully I’ve kept some of that luck,” said McCoist. “The pressure as assistant manager was very intense and I realise the responsibility is certainly greater.

“I understand the enormity of the occasion, having played in so many and being an assistant in so many. I’m not sure it will feel any different because the desire to win and to do well will be absolutely massive.”

The Gers did suffer early season disappointment in Europe, losing at first to Malmo in Champions League qualifying and then to NK Maribor in the Europa League.

However, their early European exit does mean they have had a week to prepare for Sunday’s game, a luxury not afforded to Celtic, who lost 2-0 away at Atletico Madrid in the Europa League Thursday night (Rangers 6/1 to win 1-0).

Their boss Neil Lennon believes that could work in their favour, affording them an early chance to make amends for that defeat in Spain.

“Going from the European game into the Old Firm game is probably the best thing that can happen,” said the 40-year-old.

“Sometimes you can come back from a European game and there is a flatness going about your SPL duties but with a game of this magnitude, it can be easy to motivate the players.”

Lennon had the upper hand in Old Firm clashes last season, winning three, drawing two and losing two of the seven matches.

After one of those games – a Scottish League Cup clash in March – Lennon and McCoist had an infamous fight on the touchline.

The duo promptly apologised after the game, aware of the influence their behaviour may have on the terraces, but their presence in each dugout merely adds to what is already a passionate affair.

Value bets:

Nikica Jelavic to score first 5/1
1-1 draw 11/2.

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Gunners set to fire at Ewood

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After a busy and somewhat disappointing week of European action, as far as the English sides were concerned, we turn our attentions back to the Premier League on Saturday with six intriguing matches. The day kicks off with Arsenal travelling to Blackburn at 12:45pm, before five 3pm matches take centre stage for what are likely to be close encounters.

Blackburn v Arsenal (12:45)

The Gunners head to Ewood Park off the back of what was a good point at Borussia Dortmund in their Champions League opener. Having been outplayed for much of the game, Arsenal were lucky to take a point against the German champions. That result will have served to boost the confidence of Arsene Wenger’s men though and they will fancy their chances of getting the better of Blackburn.

Arsenal are a decent value 10/11 for the win against bottom club Rovers, who are 10/3 with the draw 12/5. The Gunners will also be boosted by the return of Alex Song and Gervinho from suspension, the latter having looked very lively in midweek. Arsenal will still be missing a number of first team regulars through suspension, as too will Blackburn, but should have enough to see off Steve Kean’s strugglers.

Match bet – Gervinho to score at anytime @ 11/8

Aston Villa v Newcastle

After all the drama of Alex McLeish taking over at Villa Park the Midlands outfit have made a solid start to the season, maintaining their  unbeaten start with a 2-2 draw at Everton last week. They now play host to a Newcastle side who also look to have come on since last season, so this should be a tight encounter.

Traditionally the home side has come out on top in this fixture, with three points staying with the host in seven of the last eight meetings. With that in mind, it is no wonder Villa are 10/11, with Newcastle 10/3 and the draw 12/5. Given how evenly matched the two sides appear to be on paper a low scoring draw looks to be a safe bet.

Match bet – Under 2.5 goals @ 5/6

Bolton v Norwich

Bolton’s start to the season couldn’t have been much tougher and they’ll probably still be licking their wounds after the 5-0 mauling they were on the end of last week against Manchester United. However, they need to get themselves together quickly for the visit of Norwich, a game they should win if their confidence hasn’t taken too much of a blow.

Bolton’s recent home record is poor, with two wins from six, but with a fixture against a Norwich side who already look like they are going to struggle, the Trotters could have found the answer to their prayers. The Canaries have looked good in most of their games, but only have two points to show from their first four games. With Bolton’s Premier League experience you’d expect them to get the better of the newly promoted side, especially as they’ve won all seven of their previous home games against Norwich.

Match bet – Bolton to win @ 4/5

Everton v Wigan

These two have made solid yet unspectacular starts to the season, with Everton so far dealing well with a lack of investment this summer. The Latics were found wanting at Manchester City last week, but they won’t be the only team to get rolled over at Eastlands this season. Latics boss Roberto Martinez kept the majority of his squad together during the off season and they look to have picked up from where they left off at the end of the last campaign.

Wigan haven’t won at Goodison Park since 2005 and have a pretty awful record on the road, hence why they are 6/1 to claim the three points. If Everton are to avoid being sucked into a relegation battle, then this is the kind of game they need to be winning.

Match bet – Everton to win to nil @ 13/10

Swansea v West Brom

The Swans have been so unlucky not to have won a game yet this season, the Welsh outfit pushing Arsenal all the way last weekend. Brendan Rodgers’ side deserved something from their trip to north London and should be full of confidence for the visit of West Brom. The Baggies were a bit fortunate to come away with three points last weekend but with Roy Hodgson in charge, West Brom have looked a more solid outfit.

Even so Swansea’s hard work will give them just reward before too long and Saturday could be the day they finally get their reward of a first Premier League goal. The Swans are 20/21 to score first on Saturday and that could be enough to see them to their first win.

Match bet – Swansea to win @ 13/8

Wolves v QPR

Has the bubble burst for Wolves already? That will be the question on the lips of Wanderers fans after they saw their unbeaten start to the season ended by Tottenham last week. The visit of an upbeat QPR side probably isn’t the fixture they wanted after the 2-0 lose to Spurs, but Mick McCarthy won’t have let his team stay down in the dumps for too long. Wolves are traditionally tough to beat at home but have only taken maximum points twice from the last seven at Molineux.

QPR did everything but score against Newcastle on Monday and Neil Warnock was understandably pleased. With so many new additions it will take time for everyone to bed in, but Rangers should have enough about them already to at least take a point from their visit to the Black Country.

Match bets – Joey Barton – First Goalscorer @ 12/1 and draw @ 12/5

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5 weeks in – 3 key questions

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It’s the fifth weekend of the Premier League coming up and already there have been a whole host of talking points. We attempt to answer three key questions thrown up during the first month of the new campaign.

Can Manchester City maintain their flying start and win the league?

In a word, yes (City 2/1 – Premier League Outright). There were many who questioned City’s apparent defensive-minded approach under Roberto Mancini last season, when they often appeared to win ugly.

However, this season – so far at least – some of their attacking play has been mesmerising.

Plenty of fans and pundits alike will say it’s easy to look so good considering the amount of money lavished on the side by the club’s super-rich owners and, of course, spending nearly £70million on Sergio Aguero and Samir Nasri is bound to make them look easy on the eye.

But City were often difficult to watch last term despite the millions spent 12 months ago, so there seems to have been a sea-change in the tactics at the Etihad Stadium.

Aguero has been the real difference so far and the Argentinian has enjoyed surely one of the best starts to life in the Premier League for a foreign player (7/2 – Premier League Top Goalscorer).

Can he keep it going? The rest of the league will hope not, but if he does, then the league title could be City’s to throw away.

Are Liverpool good enough to break back into the top four?

Seven points from 12 is a solid enough start for the Reds, but Kenny Dalglish’s side could arguably be mixing it with the Manchester clubs at the top with a perfect record so far if it wasn’t for some poor finishing and debatable refereeing over the past month (Liverpool 20/1 – Premier League Outright).

They began well against Sunderland on the opening day and were a Luis Suarez penalty miss away from being 2-0 up at half time, before a disappointing second-half display let the Black Cats back into the match.

Impressive victories over Arsenal and Bolton swiftly followed though, with Liverpool looking every inch a top-four side.

Defeat at Stoke last weekend has dampened down expectations somewhat, despite the fact they missed a hatful of chances to win the game, while Dalglish was very vocal in his insistence they should have had at least one penalty at the Britannia Stadium.

Those decisions tend to even themselves out over the season and, provided the Reds bounce back, Liverpool do appear to have enough strength in depth once again to secure a top-four berth.

Can Swansea, Norwich and QPR survive?

Well, Swansea need to score first before they can even begin to think about staying up (8/13 to be relegated). Four games without a goal is poor by anyone’s standards and, although they have faced Manchester City and Arsenal in that opening period, Brendan Rodgers’ side need to improve up front…..and soon.

Admittedly they have managed two goalless draws so far as well, but it’s not looking good for the Welsh outfit at the minute.

Norwich (8/13 to be relegated) have begun the campaign slowly as well and many people’s tips to finish bottom are sitting just outside the relegation zone after four games. Draws against Wigan and Stoke have been overshadowed by defeats against West Brom and Chelsea, but Paul Lambert’s side have shown signs they can hold their own among the big-boys.

A lack of top-flight experience in the Canaries’ squad is used as the reason to suggest they will not survive, and the fear among the Carrow Road faithful is that that prediction will ring true.

QPR look the most likely out of the promoted trio to keep hold of their top-flight status come next May (6/4 to be relegated).

Neil Warnock now has the backing of an owner prepared to give him funds to strengthen his squad and the transfer-window purchases of Joey Barton, Anton Ferdinand and Shaun Wright-Phillips have added considerable Premier League experience to his ranks at Loftus Road.

Provided these three can inspire the rest, then Rangers should accrue enough points over the course of the season to stay up.

So, to answer the question to this one – no, no and probably!

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City and United turn to Europe

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If you are looking for two genuine Champions League contenders aside from Barcelona or Real Madrid then you don’t have to look much further than the city of Manchester this year. Both City and United have flown out of the traps in the Premier League and now they are about to show the rest of Europe what they are capable of.

Manchester City v Napoli

Four years after the Abu Dhabi United Group bought Manchester City they are finally dining with the big boys at Europe’s top table. Roberto Mancini managed to deal with the pressure put him on by the club’s mega-rich owners to secure Champions League football and is now looking to show what his star studded squad is capable of. If their Premier League form is anything to go by they should be more than a match for Napoli in a game they are 2/5 to win, with the Italians 8/1 and the draw 7/2.

Mancini’s summer editions have given City that extra bit of creativity they were lacking last season, with Samir Nasri and David Silva showing how deadly they can be together in their 5-1 rout of Tottenham. Up front they have added one of Europe’s deadliest strikers in Sergio Aguero, the Argentine having scored six goals in four appearances thus far. Mancini has an embarrassment of riches but these three look as though they will be key to City’s success in Europe.

Despite this being City’s maiden season in the Champions League you’d expect them to at least reach the knock out stages given the amount of experienced campaigners they have in their squad, with Yaya Toure and Carlos Tevez having won the competition.

They have been drawn in a tough group, with Bayern Munich and Villarreal to come, but City start with, on paper, the easiest game they will have in Napoli at home. The Azzuri might have won at Cesena at the weekend but traditionally don’t travel well in Europe, managing one win in five Europa League matches last season. City should win this game, but they will have to keep Edison Cavani, Ezequiel Lavezzi and Marek Hamsik quite if they are to assure three points. Aguero is on fire and at 4/1 to score first might be worth a look.

Benfica v Manchester United

United fans must have been laughing when they discovered who they would face in the group stages of this season’s Champions League. With games against Benfica, Otelul Galati and Basel to come you’d be forgiven for thinking they’d virtually been given a bye, hence why they are 2/7 to win Group C.

United will probably be happy to get their toughest group match out of the way first because Benfica are no mugs on their own ground. United know how dangerous Benfica can be having been knocked out by them in the group stages in 2005. However, with Chelsea to come on Sunday in the league and five more matches after Wednesday in the Champions League, Sir Alex Ferguson has hedged his bets for this one and will rotate his squad.

Rio Ferdinand has been left behind, while Darren Fletcher, Park ji-Sung, Ryan Giggs and Dimitar Berbatov are poised to come into the starting XI. United are 10/11 for the win, which seems short when you consider Benfica’s home form – two defeats in 24 matches at the Estádio da Luz.

The Portuguese giants are 10/3 to cause an upset, with the draw 12/5. The Águias might have lost a couple of big names but they recruited well this summer and still have Oscar Cardozo on the books. A draw looks to be a safe bet, a result which will probably suit United.

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Gunners face German test

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Arsenal have a huge European test on their hands on Tuesday when they face Borussia Dortmund at Signal Iduna Park in their first Champions League group clash of the season (Dortmund 6/5, draw 23/10, Arsenal 12/5).

The Gunners have endured a slow start to their Premier League campaign with just four points from their first four games in the top flight so far.

Arsenal (16/1 Champions League outright) head to Germany with a win under their belts but it was a less than convincing 1-0 victory over newly promoted Swansea City last weekend that will not fill Gunners fans with confidence.

Having finished in fourth place in the Premier League last term, manager Arsene Wenger and his men have already played in the qualifying rounds of this competition and were able to overcome Italian outfit Udinese over two legs.

That success will have been a good experience for a somewhat new look Arsenal side who will need to draw on that when they take on the current Bundesliga champions.

Dortmund have not made the best start to the defence of their domestic crown, as they currently sit in 11th place in the Bundesliga table and this could be a promising sign for the Gunners.

Arsenal’s new signings Per Mertesacker, Mikel Arteta and Yossi Benayoun could all feature for the Gunners but Aaron Ramsey will miss out through injury in what will be a fiery clash.

Wenger’s side will have their work cut out for them but they might just be able to nick a draw to take back to the Emirates.

Tuesday’s other game with British interest sees Chelsea host German opposition of their own in the form of Bayer 04 Leverkusen (Chelsea 2/5, draw 7/2, Leverkusen 15/2).

This will be the first game for manager Andre Villas-Boas with the Blues in the Champions League and the Portuguese coach will be looking to continue his unbeaten record with the London outfit.

Chelsea (8/1 Champions League outright) midfielder Frank Lampard has admitted there is extra pressure on his side to win this lucrative European competition from the club’s owner Roman Abramovich, who has made no secret of his desire to win the tournament.

The Blues have come close in the past, most notably their final appearance against Manchester United back in 2008, but the club are yet to lift the prestigious European Cup.

With Chelsea looking like they are starting to settle under Villas-Boas, they will be full of confidence going into this game, however it won’t be easy against a Leverkusen side who are only two points off the top of the Bundesliga.

Tuesday’s game will see a welcome return for Germany international midfielder Michael Ballack, who helped the Blues secure the first domestic double in their history.

The 34-year-old has plenty of European experience but not even that is likely to stop Chelsea picking up all three points in front of their home fans at Stamford Bridge.

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Eagles to fly at the Palace

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The remaining two Carling Cup second-round ties take place on Tuesday evening with Premier League side Wigan facing a tricky trip to Championship outfit Crystal Palace aiming to bounce back from Saturday’s 3-0 drubbing at Manchester City, while League One rivals Charlton and Preston go head-to-head at the Valley (Carling Cup – totesport).

Crystal Palace v Wigan (8pm)

This is the stand-out contest from the two Tuesday evening fixtures as it throws up the possibility of a lower league outfit dispatching a top-flight side from the competition.

Sunderland, Norwich, QPR and Swansea were notable scalps for Football League sides in the second round and Dougie Freedman’s Eagles have the potential to see off Roberto Martinez’s Latics in south London this week (21/10 Home 90 Minutes).

Palace have made a decent start to their Championship campaign, but things have just started to slide with Saturday’s 3-2 defeat at Leeds following on from a 1-1 draw against Blackpool at Selhurst Park before the international break.

Therefore, they will be looking to get a confidence-boosting win under their belts ahead of Saturday’s league visit of Middlesbrough – who, ironically, they will also face at Selhurst Park next Tuesday in the third round if they progress past Wigan.

Freedman is not expected to make too many changes from the side that lost the five-goal thriller at Elland Road so midfielder Darren Ambrose will possibly start on the bench, while defender Anthony Gardner could be in the squad.

Latics boss Martinez is expected to make wholesale changes to his squad for the long trip to London with James McCarthy poised to return from a knee injury, new signings Shaun Maloney and Patrick van Aanholt could play.

Conor Sammon and former Wolves midfielder David Jones are also set to be handed starting roles, while former Palace trio Ben Watson, Victor Moses and Emmerson Boyce could be denied a reunion with old friends by being handed the night off with Martinez having one eye on Saturday’s game against Everton.

It looks like being a close encounter as Palace have won three and drawn one of their four home games this season, while Wigan’s (5/4 Away 90 Minutes) defeat at Manchester City being their first reverse since April.

Extra-time could well be on the cards while an under-strength Wigan could be the key for Palace to edge them out and progress to round three.

Prediction: Draw 90 Minutes @ 12/5
Value Bet: 1-1 Correct Score 90 Minutes @ 6/1

Charlton v Preston (7.45pm)

An all-League One affair at the Valley sees high-flying Charlton face an improving Preston side, who sit just outside the play-off places.

Chris Powell’s Addicks have looked all the better for their summer overhaul as the vast number of new faces have gelled in well with the remaining players to see them sit unbeaten in second spot, level on 17 points with leaders Sheffield United.

However, it is on the road where Charlton have excelled as they have a 100 per cent record from three games, while points have been dropped against Scunthorpe and Sheffield Wednesday on home turf.

But, with a trip to Championship high-fliers Southampton awaiting in round three, Charlton can point to the fact they defeated second tier side Reading 2-1 in the first round at home and also recorded a comfortable 2-0 win against Exeter at the weekend.

Bradley Wright-Phillips has again been the key man for the Addicks with five goals in the bag already this season, but with Powell promising “one or two changes” for the game there is no guarantee he will be in the starting XI.

Preston chief Phil Brown has also hinted at some changes for the game with promotion back to the Championship also his top priority for this season.

As a result striker Iain Hume, who played in Friday evening’s 4-3 win against Yeovil despite featuring for Canada on international duty 48 hours earlier, could get the night off to prepare for Saturday’s league tussle at Brentford.

North End (5/2 Away 90 Minutes) are also on a decent run after remaining unbeaten in the five games following a disappointing opening day 4-2 defeat against Colchester at Deepdale, while they came from behind to defeat Crewe 3-2 at home in round one.

As with the first game, it is difficult to call (5/2 Draw 90 Minutes), as both managers are clearly looking to give a several key men a break from the action.

However, Charlton have the strength in depth to cope with a myriad changes and that should be enough to get them marching through to face the Saints at St Mary’s next Wednesday.

Prediction: Charlton Home 90 Minutes @ 21/20
Value Bet: Charlton 2-1 90 Minutes Correct Score @ 7/1

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