In this EFL Cup Preview, we delve into four matches scheduled for Wednesday night and offer betting insights for each.
Brentford v Arsenal – Click here to bet
Brentford needed penalties to overcome Newport away in the last round having started the match at 7/20 favourites. They have now only won 1 of their last 9 matches in all competitions and are coming off back-to-back League defeats at home to Everton and away at Newcastle.
Arsenal play their first match in this tournament and they are coming off a 2-2 home draw against Tottenham in the League that broke a run of 3 successive victories in all competitions.
These sides last met at this ground in the League back in 2022 with Arsenal winning 3-0.
Although Brentford have been a bit off form in recent weeks I think they are going to be hungrier for a Cup run in this competition.
Suggested Bet: Brentford win at 22/10
Chelsea v Brighton – Click here to bet
Chelsea played Wimbledon in the last round winning 2-1 at home a game where they started 1/9 favourites. They haven’t been going well in the EPL taking only 1 point from the last 9 they have played for and they lost 1-0 at home to Aston Villa on the weekend and they have now gone three matches without scoring in the League.
Brighton got a bye to this point of the Cup so we only have their recent League form to go on. They beat Bournemouth 3-1 at home on the weekend having started 5/10 favourites and that was their 3rd successive League victory although they did lose a Europa League clash at home to AEK Athens in-between.
Brighton did the double over Chelsea last season and they are 18/10 for the win with Chelsea priced at 14/10 and the draw at 27/10.
Although Chelsea has found goals hard to come by, there are often goals when these teams meet and I am betting that we get 4 or more in the game.
Suggested Bet: Over 3.5 goals at 15/10
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Liverpool v Leicester – Click here to bet
Liverpool have had a bye up until this point and they will be coming into this competition with plenty of confidence having won their last 6 matches in all competitions. They were too strong for West Ham on the weekend winning 3-1 at home and in midweek they beat LASK 3-1 on the road in the Champions League. Liverpool have scored 3 goals in their last 4 matches and in 5 of their last 6.
Leicester have played two matches in the EFL Cup beating Burton and Tranmere on the road both by 2-0 margins. They are looking good in the Championship and have won their last 3 matches.
Liverpool are 9/20 for the win and while I think they are going to get the victory Leicester are well capable of pushing them all the way.
Suggested Bet: Handicap, Liverpool -1 goal, the draw at 3/1
Newcastle v Manchester City – Click here to bet
Both these sides play their first EFL Cup match so we will take a look at their recent League form.
Newcastle bounced back to form in a big way with an 8-0 away win over Sheffield United on the weekend that after drawing 0-0 at AC Milan in Champions League action in midweek.
Manchester City continue to sweep all before them and they maintained their 100% League record with a 2-0 home win over Nottingham on Saturday. They also enjoyed success in the Champions League in midweek.
These sides have already met in the League this season with Manchester City winning 1-0 at home and last season when City visited Newcastle in the League the match finished 3-3.
The bookmakers are struggling to separate this pair, but I am expecting Newcastle to target this Cup and will go with them for the win.
Suggested Bet: Newcastle United win at 17/10
Click here for betting on all of this week’s English Football action
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
