The EFL Cup quarter-finals take centre stage this week with three ties spread across Tuesday and Wednesday as the race for the semi-finals begins to gather pace. Cardiff City carry the hopes of the League Cup as the competition’s sole non-Premier League survivors when they welcome Chelsea to South Wales, while Manchester City host Brentford at the Etihad looking to make home advantage count. Defending champions Newcastle United also return to St James’ Park, eager to bounce back from weekend disappointment as they face Fulham. Arsenal and Crystal Palace complete the quarter-final line-up next week.
Before diving into the individual matchups, here’s a quick look at the EFL Cup outright market. Arsenal and Manchester City lead the betting as joint favourites at 9/4, followed by Chelsea at 9/2. Holders Newcastle are priced at 11/2, with Crystal Palace at 12/1, Fulham at 16/1 with Brentford at 22/1 and League One outsiders Cardiff City rounding things off at 50/1.
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TUESDAY
CARDIFF CITY v CHELSEA – Click here to bet
The EFL Cup quarter-finals continue this week as Cardiff City welcome Chelsea to the Cardiff City Stadium on Tuesday evening, with the Bluebirds carrying the distinction of being the only non-Premier League side still standing in the competition. Cardiff arrive in excellent shape under Brian Barry-Murphy, 28 matches into their season across all competitions with 19 wins, two draws and just seven defeats, and firmly top of League One on 41 points from 19 games after a thrilling 4–3 victory over Doncaster at the weekend.
Cardiff City have built strong momentum, winning five of their last six home matches in all competitions, although they were reminded of the unforgiving nature of knockout football during that stretch with a 5–1 home defeat to Wimbledon in the Football League Trophy. Their EFL Cup campaign, however, has been impressive, edging past Swindon 2–1 in Cardiff, cruising to a 3–0 home win over Cheltenham, overcoming Burnley 2–1 at Turf Moor, and then seeing off Wrexham by the same scoreline on the road to secure a place in the quarter-finals.
Meanwhile, Chelsea travel to South Wales having played 24 matches across all competitions, recording 13 wins, five draws and six defeats. Enzo Maresca’s side ended a four-match winless streak with a clinical 2–0 home victory over Everton at the weekend, a result that lifted the Blues to fourth in the Premier League with 28 points from 16 outings.
Chelsea reached the quarter-finals after entering the tournament in the third round, securing two impressive away victories, a 2–1 win at Lincoln City followed by a thrilling 4–3 triumph at Wolves. Although the Blues have been winless in their last three away matches across all competitions (D1 L2), their flawless record on the road in this tournament offers some reassurance. With a potential semi-final against Arsenal or Crystal Palace looming, it will be intriguing to see whether Maresca leans on fringe players or fields a stronger, more competitive lineup.
Head-to-Head
It’s been six years since Cardiff and Chelsea last faced each other, but recent history heavily favours the Blues. Chelsea have won all five of their previous encounters across all competitions, underlining the challenge Cardiff face if they are to pull off an upset.
Betting
Cardiff City 10/1
Draw 5/1
Chelsea 11/50
Verdict
Chelsea’s quality should see them through, though a chance is taken on the idea that they may rotate from the side that played against Everton on Saturday. That could give Cardiff an opportunity to get on the scoresheet, but it’s unlikely to be enough to cause an upset.
Suggested Bet: Chelsea to win & both Teams to Score at 43/20
WEDNESDAY
MANCHESTER CITY v BRENTFORD – Click here to bet
Manchester City host Brentford at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday in the EFL Cup quarter-finals, marking City’s first home tie of this season’s tournament. Pep Guardiola’s side have played 24 matches in all competitions, winning 17, drawing two and losing five, and come into this clash off the back of an impressive 3-0 win away at Crystal Palace. That result extended their winning run to five in all competitions and kept them second in the Premier League, just two points behind leaders Arsenal with 34 points from 16 matches.
City entered the League Cup in the third round and progressed with back-to-back away wins, beating Huddersfield 2–0 before a 3–1 victory at Swansea. At home, they have been formidable, winning nine of 11 matches across all competitions this season. In each of those nine wins, City scored two goals or more, while their only two home defeats came without finding the net.
Brentford travel to Manchester off the back of a 1–1 draw with Leeds United on Sunday, a result that left Keith Andrews’ side 14th in the Premier League with 20 points from 16 matches. The Bees have featured in 19 matches across all competitions, recording eight wins, three draws and eight defeats.
Their route to the quarter-finals began with a 2–0 away win at Bournemouth in the second round, followed by a 1–1 draw with Aston Villa before progressing via a 4–2 penalty shoot-out, and most recently a 5–0 win over Grimsby. Away from home, however, Brentford have struggled, winning just three of 10 away matches in all competitions and losing the other seven. They are currently on a four-match away losing streak, conceding at least two goals in each defeat.
Head-to-Head
City won 1–0 away at Brentford earlier this season, extending their unbeaten run against the Bees to five matches (W4 D1).
Betting
Manchester City 19/50
Draw 4/1
Brentford 25/4
Verdict
While cup ties can be unpredictable, City’s home strength and squad depth should prove decisive. Brentford’s ongoing struggles on the road, particularly their tendency to concede multiple goals in defeat, suggest another difficult evening awaits at the Etihad.
Suggested Bet: Bet Builder – Manchester City to score over 1.5 goals & to win at 3/5
NEWCASTLE UNITED v FULHAM – Click here to bet
Newcastle United return to St James’ Park on Wednesday looking to respond after a disappointing 1–0 defeat away to Sunderland in the Wear–Tyne derby, a result that ended their four-match unbeaten run in all competitions. Eddie Howe’s side sit 12th in the Premier League with 22 points from 16 matches, and have featured in 24 games across all competitions, winning 11, drawing five and losing eight.
As defending EFL Cup champions, Newcastle have taken this competition seriously from the outset. They began their title defence with a 4–1 home win over Bradford City, before following it up with a 2–0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur, both at St James’ Park. Home form has been a major strength this season, with the Magpies winning nine of 13 home matches, losing just three. They are currently eight games unbeaten at home, winning seven and drawing one, and have scored at least two goals in each of those matches.
Fulham travel north after an impressive 3–2 away win at Burnley, lifting Marco Silva’s side to 13th in the table with 20 points from 16 league games. Across all competitions, the Cottagers have played 19 matches, winning eight, drawing three and losing eight.
Their EFL Cup run has included wins over Bristol City (2–0) and Cambridge United (1–0), before a dramatic penalty shoot-out victory at Wycombe following a 1–1 draw. While Fulham have won their last two away league matches, including a notable victory at Spurs, their overall away record remains a concern. They have lost five of nine away matches this season, conceding at least two goals in all five defeats, including a 2–1 loss at St James’ Park earlier in the campaign.
Head-to-Head
Newcastle won 2–1 at home earlier this season, although Fulham did complete a league double over the Magpies last term.
Betting
Newcastle United 71/100
Draw 57/20
Fulham 7/2
Verdict
After Sunday’s derby disappointment, a strong response is expected from the defending champions. Newcastle’s home form and scoring consistency at St James’ Park give them a clear edge, and with momentum to regain before facing Chelsea at the weekend, Howe’s side are unlikely to take this tie lightly.
Suggested Bet: Newcastle United to Win at 71/100
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Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
