The first of the big cups has entered the serious stage with Premier League clubs playing their first rounds in the Carling Cup. Four Premier League clubs are done for the season with recently promoted Norwich, Swansea, and QPR all losing their first games yesterday. Sunderland were the fourth team to leave the competition following extra time loss to Brighton. The early rounds of the mid-week cups are famous for delivering big upsets and this season looks to be no different.
Another four Premier League clubs go into battle today and while it’s easy to say they should win well, history suggests there will be at least one surprise result. That may well be in tonight’s early game where Exeter (41/5) host Liverpool (2/5). Exeter would themselves admit that a win would be a surprise result, although I am sure they are going all-out to do so. Liverpool don’t play well away from Anfield and these mid-week competitions are always testing of the top sides. We expect Liverpool to win, however, don’t be surprised to see the home side putting up a good fight.
In today’s other games, Blackburn (8/13) are at home to Sheffield Wednesday (11/2); Bolton (4/11) are at home to Macclesfield (10/1); and Everton (4/9) are at home to Sheffield Utd (15/2). It could be a good day for the Sheffield fans as both sides have a chance of causing upsets. Blackburn have yet to claim a point in the League and are no sure things even at home. Odds of 11/2 are fairly tempting for Wednesday who are traveling okay down in League One. Sheffield United may have been relegated to League One at the end of last season, but they are joint leaders at the top and playing some good football. Like Blackburn, Everton have failed to win a point and, if anything, have looked disappointing to date. United’s odds of 15/2 look even better than Wednesday’s and we’re tipping them to cause the biggest upset today.
Chelsea and Manchester United head Carling Cup betting at 6/1 with Manchester City a half point behind at 13/2. Liverpool are next best at 9/1 with the remaining sides at double figures. It’s early days when it comes to picking winners, but Man U certainly look to be in form already and will be hard to hold out this season. Early prediction – United to claim a cup’s clean sweep – now that should pay well for those who like betting on multiples.