There are plenty of Carling Cup ties to get stuck into on Wednesday night with several Premier League teams in action. There will doubtless be many fringe players on view, and it will be a chance for the lesser lights to carry out a giant-killing act (totesport – Carling Cup).

Exeter City v Liverpool

The feel-good factor is back at Anfield after a period in the doldrums with ‘King’ Kenny once again at the helm.

The Merseysiders have spent millions of pounds to try to bring the good times back and look to have a squad capable of challenging for silverware.

While the Premier League may be beyond them at this stage of their rebuilding, cup competitions have always been important to the Anfield faithful and veteran defender Jamie Carragher has stated that they will be taking the Carling Cup seriously as it is a competition that they could realistically win.

With that in mind and a strong squad to choose from, the likes of Dirk Kuyt, Maxi Rodriguez and Raul Meireles could all feature against the Grecians, while several other squad players may get a run-out.

The League One outfit have garnered just one point from their four league outings to date but will see this as a chance to topple one of the biggest clubs in the world and should go into the clash with little or no fear.

But Liverpool are tipped to take care of the Devon club and maybe go all the way to Wembley this time around.

Odds: Exeter 7/1, Liverpool 2/5, draw 7/2

Everton v Sheffield United

In contrast to their rivals from across Stanley Park, Everton have little or no money to spend and have failed to bring in any new players over the summer months.

They have played just one Premier League match this season and went down 1-0 to new-boys Queens Park Rangers, despite dominating the game.

There appears to be an air of despondency hanging over Goodison Park at present and a good Carling Cup run could be just what the doctor ordered to lift the mood.

Manager David Moyes does not have the luxury of a big squad to choose from and so it is likely that several first-team regulars will be given an outing against the Yorkshire side.

Tim Cahill, Jermaine Beckford and Louis Saha are all doubtful for the second round tie, while the Scot will also have to do without Seamus Coleman, Magaye Gueye and Diniyar Bilyaletdinov.

The Blades have made an excellent start to their League One campaign with 10 points from their first four games and they will fancy their chances of an upset against an Everton side who are low on confidence.

United boss Danny Wilson has stated that he will try to win every cup game that the club plays in this term and not just focus on promotion back to the Championship.

Stephen Quinn will be given a late fitness test after a rough outing against Tranmere while Ryan Flynn and new signing Kevin McDonald may well return from injury.

Odds: Everton 4/9, Sheffield United 13/2, draw 100/30

Blackburn Rovers v Sheffield Wednesday

Blackburn are one of four Premier League clubs yet to gain a point this season after defeats to Wolves and Aston Villa and boss Steve Kean is already under pressure.

This is a game he could do without, as defeat in front of the Ewood Park faithful would have the fans and press calling for his head.

Rovers have been stretched by injuries just two games into the season and there will be a number of unfamiliar faces in the line-up as the Scot looks to rest some players for the weekend clash with Everton.

But he cannot afford to be too complacent as Wednesday have made a solid, if unspectacular, start to their League One campaign and are tipped for promotion back to the Championship.

Radosav Petrovic looks set to make his full debut and the tough-tackling Serb could be what the side needs to lift them back to winning ways.

Gel Givet is set to play alongside Grant Hanley in the centre of defence with Ryan Nelson given the night off to prepare for the weekend clash with Aston Villa.

Jason Lowe and Bruno Ribeiro could well feature in what has become a must-win clash for the north-west outfit.

Owls boss Gary Megson is set to ring the changes as on-loan winger Ben Marshall will be rested while skipper Rob Jones will also miss out despite recovering from a broken nose sustained in last week’s defeat to Bury.

Odds: Rovers 8/15, Sheffield Wednesday 5/1, draw 3/1

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