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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