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The Carling Cup has now reached the Quarter Final stage & this is the point at which the competition really begins to get serious & important to teams as they all know they are only 3 games away from a place in the final & so there everything is to play for.

8 Premier League teams make up the quarter finalists & to emphasise the quality left in the competition, 6 of the 8 teams are in the top 7 in the Premier League so we are expecting 4 very competitive & entertaining ties.

All 4 quarter finals look fascinating games that should provide plenty of entertainment & here are our views on the matches with the value betting recommendations we feel are worth consideration.

Manchester United vs Tottenham – (Tuesday 8.00pm)

This is a re-run of last years Carling Cup final & this definitely looks set to be a very interesting tie with both teams intent on playing positive football & going for the win.

Both Manchester United & Tottenham have had fantastic starts to the season which is born out by the fact Manchester United sit 2nd & Tottenham 3rd so we are expecting this to be a very competitive match.

The key to this match could well be the relative team selection of both sides because we are expecting Alex Ferguson to continue his policy of using his squad members & youth players to form the basis of the team & that will have a big impact on this match.

The Manchester United squad is very strong & indeed the back-up players are very talented but there can be no denying that Manchester United are not as strong & don’t carry as much attacking threat to the option without their main players just as they showed in getting beaten by Besiktas last week.

We fully expect Harry Redknapp to field his strongest possible side because he will believe Tottenham can win this trophy & certainly Tottenham’s strongest side will carry a massive threat to the Manchester United team & they will feel they can definitely win this match.

Tottenham have been in very good form & their 2nd half performance against Aston Villa will give them a lot of confidence to go & be very positive against Manchester United with their attacking pace a key factor.

This should be a fantastic game of positive, attacking football because that is the only way both Manchester United & Tottenham play the game & we do expect a few goals but the key to the match will be team knews so with Manchester United likely to playing a weaker side, that makes Tottenham appeal even more as likely winners of this match & they look a fantastic value price to do so.

Betting Recommendations:

Outright Match Result: Tottenham to win

Correct Score options: Tottenham to win 2-1/3-1

First Goalscorer each way/Player to score anytime: Defoe/Keane/Krancjar

Scorecast options: Defoe/Keane/Krancjar score 1st & Tottenham win 2-1/3-1

Double Result: Tottenham Half Time & Full Time

Portsmouth vs Aston Villa – (Tuesday 7.45pm)

This is a really fascinating quarter final tie with bottom club Portsmouth taking on 6th place Aston Villa & it should be a match well worth watching.

With this being a case of bottom club Portsmouth against 6th placed Aston Villa then naturally the assumption is that Aston Villa have a stronger chance to win this but the real key who wants to win it more.

Portsmouth’s sole motivation for this season has to try & survive in the Premier League so while this is cup Quarter Final, it is hard to know exactly how serious they will take this competition because league form & points is that counts right now.

Admittedly, new Portsmouth manager Avram Grant will be looking to boost confidence within the team & obviously a victory in the cup would help that but he may just be tempted to rest some of the main players in this match & that will affect how they play.

Portsmouth did get beaten 4-1 by Manchester United which sounds like a thrashing but that scoreline does not reveal that Portsmouth were the better side in the 1st half & probably should have been in front with them showing enough quality & spirit to give them confidence to be positive in this match against Aston Villa.

If Portsmouth are to succeed in this match then the key will be their defending which has been poor all season & they will have to be very, very careful against an Aston Villa side with the attacking threat of the likes of Agbonlohar, Ashley Young, Carew, Heskey & Milner.

Martin O’Neill has a main ambition of guiding Aston Villa into a top 4 finish & of course Champions League place for next season but he has also stated his desire to win a trophy so we are expecting Aston Villa to take this tie very seriously indeed.

Aston Villa have been in good, consistent form & they will see this match as a fantastic opportunity to earn a semi-final place & put themselves only 2 matches from the final.

A very important element to this match will be who scores first because that first goal will open up the game & force the team who are trailing to chase the game & given how both Portsmouth & Aston Villa play, they will both be suited by that & it should make for an excellent game.

Premier League form is more important to both Portsmouth & Aston Villa but we expect both to have a real go at winning this on the night which should make the game open & on that basis Aston Villa look a cracking bet to win this & make their extra attacking quality pay off.

Betting Recommendations:

Outright Match Result: Aston Villa to win

Correct Score options: Aston Villa 2-1/3-1

First Goalscorer each way/Player to score anytime: Carew/Heskey/Agbonlohar

Scorecast options: Carew/Heskey/Agbonlohar score 1st & Aston Villa win 2-1/3-1

Double Result: Aston Villa Half Time & Full Time

Blackburn Rovers vs Chelsea – (Wednesday 8.00pm)

Just like in the other Carling Cup matches, neither Blackburn Rovers or Chelsea will see this match or competition as a priority but we are still expecting both teams to have a go on the night.

Blackburn Rovers are an inconsistent side with mixed form but the fact this is a home tie will give them confidence given how solid they have been at Ewood Park so far this season.

Blackburn Rovers don’t have the strongest of squads & no real top class players although in David Dunn they have a creative influence who can hurt teams on his best form & he will be the key for Blackburn on the night.

Chelsea come into this match on a roll & at present it simply looks as though no team can beat them as they look supremely well balanced, solid & have quality right throughout the team.

Chelsea are dominating the Premier League at present with a 5 point lead & comfortable wins over Liverpool, Manchester United & Arsenal in the Premier League as well as equally straightforward wins in the Champions League show why Chelsea are probably the strongest side in european at this point.

Chelsea don’t concede goals, they are flexible, well balanced & strong in midfield & have great attacking variety & quality up front so they are quite simply the complete package with fantastic confidence & belief running through their entire squad.

We expect Blackburn Rovers to be more positive & competitive than would be the case in a Premier League match but nevertheless in terms of the result we can only see another comfortable win for Chelsea to continue their excellent winning form.

Betting Recommendations:

Outright Match Result: Chelsea to win

Correct Score options: Chelsea to win 3-0/3-1

First Goalscorer each way/Player to score anytime: Lampard/Kalou/Malouda

Scorecast options: Lampard/Kalou/Malouda score 1st & Chelsea win 3-0/3-1

Double Result: Chelsea Half Time & Full Time

Manchester City vs Arsenal – (Wednesday 7.45pm)

The common theme with all the Carling Cup quarter finals is that this competition is not a priority for anybody & up until recently that would have definitely been the case for both Manchester City & Arsenal but this has suddenly become a massively important match.

Manchester City & Arsenal both come into this match experiencing problems with their form & with the pressures of expectancy mounting on them.

Mark Hughes & his Manchester City players are suddenly finding themselves under huge pressure to win with a run of 7 consecutive, dissappointing draws in the Premier League seriously damaging their Champions League ambitions.

Those 7 draws have highlighted how unbalanced & fragile the Manchester City teams looks with fantastic attacking quality combined with defensive fragility & weakness.

Mark Hughes is under immense pressure to deliver success at Manchester City & he knows that this competition has suddendly become a fantastic opportunity to attempt to win a cup so we are expecting Manchester City to be really pumped up for this match.

Arsene Wenger has had a comfortable ride as Arsenal manager & obviously that is down to his amazing achievements at the club but nearly 5 years without a trophy has started to cause unrest amongst the Arsenal fans & the pressure is definitey rising.

Up until a few weeks ago, Arsenal were going very well in the Premier League & also had qualification in the Champions League sorted out but it has all gone wrong in the last few weeks.

The biggest blow has been to lose key striker Robin Van Persie to a major injury & that has had a major impact on Arsenal’s style of play & performance levels with poor displays & damaging defeats against Sunderland & Chelsea.

Arsene Wenger knows that he has to deliver a trophy of some sort within the next couple of years & clearly this tournament is a great opportunity but the quandry for him his that he has to change his policy of playing the youth players which he seems unwilling to do.

We do expect Arsenal to play their reserve & youth players in this match & that has to be a concern for Arsenal & their hopes of winning this tie because while those young players are talented, they lack the experience & that could prove decisive.

Good, positive football looks guaranteed in this match as both teams have good motivation for wanting to win but we are going to take Manchester City to prove their strength at home by winning this & easing the pressure on Mark Hughes for now at least.

Betting Recommendations:

Outright Match Result: Manchester City to win

Correct Score options: Manchester City to win 3-0/3-1

First Goalscorer each way/Player to score anytime: Tevez/Bellamy/Adebayor

Scorecast options: Tevez/Bellamy/Adebayor score 1st & Man City to win 3-0/3-1

Double Result: Manchester City Half Time & Full Time

The match stats below are compiled with major football betting markets in mind. They are presented as facts without recommendation, allowing you to spot trends and decide whether they have relevance as betting opportunities. Click any ‘Bet Now’ button to see a bet slip from that bookmaker.

NARRATIVE:

Chelsea will be troubled by the fact that they have lost all three games when they were level at the interval. Both teams have made the most of the half time lead they had secured down the years, having claimed an aggregate of 29/42 points in the process. Arsenal have secured eight of their ten victories by a single goal margin whilst Chelsea have won two of the last four matches. Arsenal only failed to score once in seventeen games with Chelsea scoring a maximum of one goal on twelve occasions. Doubles: Arsenal 4—-Chelsea 1

MARKET: Result

Arsenal: 10 wins–Draws: 5–Chelsea: 2 wins (goal difference: 28-21)

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MARKET: Correct Score

2-1 x 4, 1-0 x 3, 1-1 x 3

MARKET: First team to score

Arsenal: 10—-Chelsea: 6 (1 x 0-0 draw–seventeen years ago)

MARKET: Even or odd total of goals:

Even: 7—-Odd: 10

Clashes between any of the big 4 sides are always huge events & certainly this clash of Arsenal & Chelsea at the Emirates is a massively important match to both team & one that we expect to provide plenty of quality & intensity.

There can be no denying the importance of this match to both Arsenal & Chelsea and so we fully expect both teams to be desperate to win it but also desperate not to lose to one of their major title rivals.

Arsenal come into this match on the back of suffering a big blow to their title hopes & a huge blow to their confidence by losing 1-0 at Sunderland & Arsene Wenger will be desperate for Arsenal to bounce back here.

Arsenal regained winning ways in the Champions League in midweek but this is a whole different game & Arsenal will have to show real strength & determination in this fixture because they cannot afford to lose anymore ground to Chelsea in the title race.

Home form has been a key factor in Arsenal’s success this season & their impressive home record will give them massive confidence ahead of this match but nevertheless, Arsenal fully appreciate the dangers of Chelsea and they will have to be on their best form to hold Chelsea in this match.

The big problem for Arsenal in this match is the absence of key striker Robin Van Persie & that will make it tougher for Arsenal to break Chelsea’s strong & experienced defence down.

Chelsea come into this match with everything seemingly going to plan as they keep winning game after game & looking like the team that everybody else has got to aim to beat this season in all competitions.

11 wins from 13 games is Chelsea’s stunning league record so far this season & apart from those two surprise defeats at Wigan & Chelsea, they have been brilliant in every game showing a fantastic blend of strength, quality & experience that has to be admired.

Chelsea are the top scorers with 33 league goals & have the best defensive record with only 8 conceded and have had 9 clean sheets in their last 11 games which clearly indicates the massive task that Arsenal have in this match.

Arsenal do have a decent record in this fixture & they definitely have a chance on their best form but Chelsea produced a fantastic performance to win comfortably here last season & they do look a value bet to follow up that win here.

Betting Recommendations:

Outright Match Betting: Chelsea to win

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Correct Score options: chelsea to win 3-0/3-1

First goalscorer each way/Player to score anytime options: Drogba/Anelka/Lampard

Scorecast options: Drogba/Anelka/Lampard score 1st & Chelsea win 3-0/3-1

Double Result: Chelsea Half Time & Full Time

The match stats below are compiled with major football betting markets in mind. They are presented as facts without recommendation, allowing you to spot trends and decide whether they have relevance as betting opportunities. Click any ‘Bet Now’ button to see a bet slip from that bookmaker.

NARRATIVE:

The fact that only four of these local matches have been drawn will surprise neutral readers, as will the news that Everton have shut Liverpool out seven times down the years. Liverpool achieved the double over Everton twice in the last four years during which time Liverpool gained three victories (Everton won the other encounter). The last draw was played out in the 1999/2000 season whilst the visitors have scored two goals or more in seven of the last nine years, during which time Liverpool gained all seven of their victories at Goodison. Doubles: Everton 0—-Liverpool 3

MARKET: Result

Everton: 6 wins–Draws: 4–Liverpool: 7 wins (goal difference: 20-21)

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MARKET: Correct Score

2-0 x 3, 0-0 x 2, 1-1 x 2, 1-2 x 2, 1-3 x 2

MARKET: First team to score

Everton: 8—-Liverpool: 7 (2 x 0-0 draws–last was witnessed ten years ago)

MARKET: Even or odd total of goals:

Even: 11—-Odd: 6

There are not many games bigger than this in the whole footballing calendar & to fans of both sides there are definitely no games bigger than Everton v Liverpool & certainly this renewal is no different.

It goes without saying how massively important this game is to everybody connected to both Everton & Liverpool but this game is especially important given how badly both teams are struggling at present in the Premier League.

Everton & Liverpool have set incredibly high standards for themselves in recent seasons & quite simply they have both fallen way behind that level this season & both have endured a greatly frustrating & inconsistent start so far.

14th position is where Everton stand coming into this match & more importantly they have not won any match since the 1st of October & have only won one match in the Premier League since the end of September.

Everton’s season sunk to new lows on wednesday night as they produced a humiliating performance to be trailing struggling Hull City 3-0 at half time & although they displayed some courage to get 2 goals back, that defeat was a bitter blow & certainly proof of the problems Everton face at present.

Admittedly Everton have suffered with terrible injury problems which has had a massive impact on what was already a thin squad but nevertheless, their form has been so poor & inconsistent that injuries are not totally responsible & clearly other problems lie within the squad.

The biggest problem is that Everton appear to have lost their key strengths of being well organised & very hard to break down and instead they have become defensively fragile & disorganised with a clear lack of confidence within the team.

The real positive for Everton is that they know Liverpool come into this match with their own problems with injuries & loss of form and also after the deflating failure to qualify for the knockout stages in the Champions League so that should definitely level the playing field in this match.

The fact this is a home match should give Everton confidence & the motivation to really give their fans a performance of quality & spirit that should then give them a good chance of getting a positive result in this match.

Liverpool & Rafa Benitez come into this match having to start rebuilding their season after being dumped out of the Champions League & already ruled out of the title race by their own frustratingly inconsistent form & of course this is a huge game for everybody connected to Liverpool.

5 defeats from their first 13 Premier League games illustrates how poor Liverpool have been this season & more worryingly for this match 4 of those defeats have come in away matches & that has to be a big concern here against their big rivals.

Liverpool have endured a nightmare scenario with injuries but like Everton, that is not the sole reason behind their failure so far & there are many more problems within the club that have contributed to their failings.

The biggest failing is that the Liverpool squad has been found wanting in terms of depth & quality with the back-up players for all major areas of the team proving not good enough.

Self belief & team confidence within the Liverpool squad has clearly been damaged & they just look a very fragile team & even in victory against Debrecen, Liverpool looked limited & lacking in all areas of the pitch.

The local & historical rivalry between Everton & Liverpool means that without doubt this will be the most intense, physically competitive game of the weekend in the Premier League & both Everton & Liverpool will be looking for a win but also desperate not to lose & that fear of failing could be the deciding factor & a hence a scoring draw seems a sensible call with both teams settling for a share of the points.

Betting Recommendations:

Outright Match Betting: DRAW

Correct Score options: 1-1/2-2

First goalscorer each way/Player to score anytime options: Cahill/Saha/Gerrard

Scorecast options: Cahill/Saha/Gerrard score 1st & 1-1/2-2

Double Result: Draw Half Time & Full Time

The match stats below are compiled with major football betting markets in mind. They are presented as facts without recommendation, allowing you to spot trends and decide whether they have relevance as betting opportunities. Click any ‘Bet Now’ button to see a bet slip from that bookmaker.

NARRATIVE:

Just one Premiership match between these two teams which was contested in November 2003. The spoils were shared (1-1) with both goals being scored in the second half.

MARKET: Result

Wolves: No wins–Draws: 1–Birmingham: No wins (goal difference: 1-1)

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MARKET: Correct Score

1 x 1-1

MARKET: First team to score

Wolves: 0—-Birmingham: 1

MARKET: Even or odd total of goals:

Even: 1—-Odd: 0

High profile games such Arsenal vs Chelsea & Everton vs Liverpool obviously take the spotlight this weekend but those games won’t matter to anybody connected to Wolves or Birmingham City and for those fans this is the biggest, most important game of the weekend & probably season so far.

Wolves & Birmingham City came up together from the Championship last season & both were strongly fancied to be involved in the relegation scrap this season & that definitely seems to be the case so this is a huge game for everybody connected.

Wolves have displayed real commitment & team spirit in every single game this season but in terms of player quality & team performance they have been found wanting & it really is not surprising to see them sit 2nd bottom of the league.

Mick McCarthy’s team have given everything in every game but they have faults in all the key areas with a defence that looks fragile & lacks pace, a midfield that lacks creativity & strength and a forward line is short on power & goal threat and clearly with that combination of failings it is easy to see why Wolves are struggling.

Mick McCarthy knows that the one key factor in Wolves survival bid will definitely be their home form & with this match being against not only their big local rivals but also relegation rivals, this match must be one that Wolves target a win in & we do expect them to be very positive here.

The problem for Mick McCarthy faces is trying to maintain the confidence of the team & especially after being thrashed by Chelsea last weekend but the local derby element should help somewhat in the respect & focus the players minds here.

Alex McCleish made clear at the start of the season that is sole ambition was to finish 17th or higher so the fact Birmingham City currently sit 13th must be incredibly satisfactory to him & everybody concerned with Birmingham City.

Birmingham City are one of the simplest teams to evaluate in the Premier League because they are on the most consistent in terms of approach & style of play with their focus on being defensively solid & hard working key elements to their success so far.

Birmingham City have been fantastic in defence this season & only Chelsea, Manchester United & Aston Villa have conceded fewer goals which is a remarkable achievement & the main reason they have the results that they have so far.

Team confidence & belief is obviously a massively important factor & Birmingham City should come into this game very confident after their deserved 1-0 win over Fulham last weekend & they know that they are very hard to breakdown so that definitely gives them a chance of getting a positive result here.

The biggest weakness for Birmingham City is their obvious inability to score enough goals which does affect their chances of winning games & that has to be a concern but they do have players who can edge tight games with moments of quality which will give them hope.

This is a massively important local derby with both Wolves & Birmingham City determined to try & win gain vital points in this relegation 6 pointer but with so much at stake for both teams & given how intensely competitive we expect this game to be, a low scoring draw seems a very sensible call & a value bet worth taking.

Betting Recommendations:

Outright Match Betting: DRAW

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Correct Score options: 1-1

First goalscorer each way/Player to score anytime options: Mcfadden/Benitez/Jerome

Scorecast options: Mcfadden/Benitez/Jerome score 1st & 1-1

Double Result: Birmingham City Half Time & Draw Full Time

The match stats below are compiled with major football betting markets in mind. They are presented as facts without recommendation, allowing you to spot trends and decide whether they have relevance as betting opportunities. Click any ‘Bet Now’ button to see a bet slip from that bookmaker.

NARRATIVE:

Villa

Aston Villa in 5th welcome 4th place Tottenham to Villa Park to what is a massively important match & one which we expect to provide plenty of positive, attacking football.

This match is so important because both Aston Villa & Tottenham have started the season in very good form & both are chasing a top four finish this season to earn the right for Champions League football next season.

Coming into this match, there are only 3 points between the two sides with Tottenham sitting in 4th place on 25 points & Aston Villa a place behind on 22 points & we are expecting this to be a very competitive match with both teams determined & positive to go for the win.

Historically, Aston Villa have had the edge in this fixture during the Premier League years with 9 wins for them & only 2 wins for Tottenham which will boost their confidence but equally Tottenham did win this fixture last season with an impressive performance & they will also believe they can win this.

Aston Villa produced an excellent performance to win their last home match 5-1 & of course Tottenham come into this game on the back of that incredible 9-1 win over Tottenham so we do expect this to be a very attack minded match with goals likely.

The key element of both Aston Villa & Tottenham is the pace they have in attack & clearly that will be a massively important factor here as whichever side handles that better will probably win the game.

There does not appear to be too much between these sides in any aspect of the game as both Aston Villa & Tottenham appear to have fairly equal strengths & weaknesses with both teams looking well organised, well balanced & currently displaying strong team ethic & confidence so this really should be a very competitive & entertaining match.

This really could be one of the most competitive & entertaining games of the weekend in the Premier League with both Aston Villa & Tottenham believing they can win this match & so any result is possible but Tottenham look a value bet to have the edge on the day & follow up their win in this fixture last season.

Betting Recommendations:

Outright Match Betting: Tottenham to win

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Correct Score options: Tottenham to win 2-1/3-1

First goalscorer each way/Player to score anytime options: Defoe/Crouch/Krancjar

Scorecast options: Defoe/Crouch/Krancjar score 1st & Tottenham to win 2-1/3-1

Double Result: Tottenham Half Time & Full Time

The match stats below are compiled with major football betting markets in mind. They are presented as facts without recommendation, allowing you to spot trends and decide whether they have relevance as betting opportunities. Click any ‘Bet Now’ button to see a bet slip from that bookmaker.

NARRATIVE:

Sunderland have scored just one goal via three games whilst Wigan has scored in all three matches. Premiership stats (home and away: Wigan: 4