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Brighton v Liverpool (live on Sky tonight)

The only Carling Cup (League Cup) meeting between these two teams was played at Anfield in October 1984 when Liverpool won 4-0.

Three FA Cup matches have been played at Brighton down the years with the following results:

January 1991: 2-3

January 1984: 2-0

February 1908: 0-3

Brighton are unbeaten in five matches at their new stadium

Liverpool have only kept one clean sheet (at Arsenal) this season

First half analysis for Brighton’s league games this season: Scored 4–Conceded 1

Second half: Scored: 7–Conceded 4

First half analysis for Liverpool’s league games this season: Scored 2–Conceded 2

Second half: Scored: 4–Conceded 5

Leeds v Man Utd (live on Sky–7.45)

Cup matches since the turn of the Millennium:

January 2010 (FA Cup): Man Utd 0  Leeds 1

October 2003 (Carling Cup): Leeds 2  Man Utd 3

These two teams have met four times in the Carling Cup (League Cup) down the years, with Manchester United winning on all four occasions (goal difference: 9-4).

Leeds have won five of their last six home games

Manchester United have won the Carling Cup twice in the last three years

Over 11 years have past…..since Leeds received what remains their record tranfer fee of £30,000,000 from Manchester United for Rio Ferdinand, the club having made twelve million profit on the player having signed Rio from West Ham twenty months before in November 2000.

Villa won via a 1-0 score-line in each of the two legs when these two teams last met in this competition in round two during the 1993/1994 season.

Villa had previously destroyed Birmingham 7-0 at the same stage of the competition five years earlier.

We have to go back to the first leg of the final in 1963 to find Birmingham’s only victory against their local rivals. 

Birmingham won 3-1 and secured the trophy four days later when drawing 0-0 at Villa Park.

Wigan beat Arsenal via the away goals rule to reach the final of this competition five years ago.

Arsenal reaped some consolation when beating the Latics 3-0 in round four two years later.

Arsenal have met Wigan seven times at home in all competitions.  Arsenal have won all seven games via an 18-4 aggregate score-line.

Out of interest, these two teams have never met in the FA Cup.

Manchester United won the only League Cup match contested between these two sides to date at Old Trafford via a 1-0 result back in October 1985.

United have won the last six games (all competitions) between the two teams (17-1 aggregate score-line).

The last Cup match (FA Cup) was contested at Old Trafford in January 2003 which United won 6-0.

Carling Cup Quarter Final Match Previews

The Carling Cup has reached the Quarter Final stage now with only 8 teams left & all of them only a few steps away from a glamour final at Wembley so there is absolutely everything to play for here.

We have had a good look at all the Carling Cup ties & here are our views on the matches & the betting recommendations we feel offer value & well worth consideration:

West Ham United vs Manchester United – (Tuesday 7.45pm)

Now as far we know & the last time we checked, Christmas Day is supposed to fall on 25th December & that is the day you are supposed to get your presents so why then are the bookies offering punters a big one on the 30th November?

Christmas looks to have come early for punters with the bookies offering 4/6 for a Manchester United win here & while that will sound dismissive of West Ham United, a potential 66% profit for investing in Manchester United to win this tie seems too good to miss.

Yes we know it’s the Cup & so anything can happen and indeed with the Carling Cup we know that managers change their teams around & try different things but surely 4/6 for a Manchester United win has to be call in this one

Manchester United are top of the Premier League on 31 points while West Ham United are bottom on 12 points, Manchester Unite are unbeaten so far this season & have not lost a competitive game in any competition since April while West Ham have already lost 7 & only won 2 matches this season.

Manchester United have scored 48 goals in all competitions while West Ham United have only scored 19 goals & conceded 28 and whichever way you look at this fixture, everything points towards Manchester United & there is not one statistic to give West Ham hope in this one.

Of course statistics & form in other competition does not always work out the way we expect & West Ham United may well see this as a welcome break from their relegation struggles & indeed do come here after a confidence boosting home win against Wigan so they will be up & will again want to put on a show for their fans.

West Ham United vs Manchester United matches always have a particular edge to them, generating a really good atmosphere & usually excellent tempo to the games & we are expecting much the same this time & indeed this should be a competitive match but the absolute key is team selection for Manchester United & assuming United play a relatively strong side, they should have too much quality for West Ham United here & they can book their semi-final spot.
Betting Recommendations:
Outright Match Result: Manchester United to win
Correct Score options: Manchester United 2-1/3-1
First Goalscorer each way/Players to score anytime: Rooney/Gibson/Hernandez
Scorecast options: Rooney/Gibson/Hernandez score first & Man United win 2-1/3-1
Double Result: Manchester United H/T & F/T

Arsenal vs Wigan – (Tuesday 7.45pm)

The West Ham United vs Manchester United Quarter Final places top against bottom & this clash of Arsenal vs Wigan represents a similar gap with 3rd top against 3rd bottom & another one sided looking match in prospect.

As we said before this is the Carling Cup & we know that anything is possible & Arsenal have been strangely vulnerable at home this season but the odds of 2/7 for an Arsenal win tell you what the bookies think & to be fair those odds while very short do look entirely fair.

Now we know that Arsene Wenger has always treated the Carling Cup as part of his training plan for his younger players & that usually meant that the major players were rested & young reserves were drafted in but we don’t expect that this time as Arsene Wenger knows he is under great pressure to win silverware this year.

We are expecting Arsene Wenger & the Arsenal players to take this match very seriously and while some of the major players may get rested or put on the bench, we are expecting Arsenal to play a very strong side & go all out for their place in the Semi-Finals.

With regards to Wigan then all we know for sure is that they will look to play good, controlled passing football because that is the way Roberto Martinez gets all his sides to play but what we don’t know is how Wigan will actually perform as they are unpredictable & can go from being brilliant to poor week to week & even during the 90 minutes of the match.

Wigan are on a bad run, don’t look to have any real quality about them & are struggling for confidence so surely this match is simply a case of Arsenal’s mental approach & form and assuming Arsenal hit the ground running in this match then a comfortable Arsenal win looks the only sensible way to go in this one.
Betting Recommendations:
Outright Match Result: Arsenal to win
Correct Score options: Arsenal to win 3-0/4-0
First Goalscorer each way/Player to score anytime: Bendtner/Van Persie/Walcott
Scorecast options: Bendtner/Van Persie/Walcott score 1st & Arsenal win 3-0/4-0
Double Result: Arsenal H/T & F/T

Birmingham City vs Aston Villa – (Wednesday 7.45pm)

Local pride & bragging rights for their respective fans are usually the main prizes up for grabs whenever local rivals meet but this time Birmingham City vs Aston Villa are both chasing valuable places in the Semi-Final of the Carling Cup & we are expecting that to really raise the stakes for this Battle of Birmingham.

Intensely competitive, physically challenging matches are par for the course when Birmingham City & Aston Villa clash and of course the other key factor is the pressures that come with not wanting to lose to their fiercest rivals so we are expecting another battle here.

The last 3 games between these two sides have only produced 2 goals, with two tight 1-0 wins for Aston Villa & a 0-0 from earlier this season & clearly those statistics don’t bode well for those looking for entertainment & goals but the fact this is a cup game & not a Premier League game might just change that.

Both Birmingham City & Aston Villa are struggling towards the bottom end of the Premier League sitting 14th & 15th respectively but league form doesn’t matter so much coming into this cup match & hopefully both teams will forget about the fear of losing & go for the win here.

Looking at the betting market for this then we have to admit that neither side appeals as a win bet & the fact the draw is the only betting option that appeals fits in with our expectations that this will be fiercely competitive, physically intense & a battle that may well need extra-time & penalties to decide the winner.
Betting Recommendations:
Outright Match Result: DRAW
Correct Score options: 1-1/2-2
First Goalscorer each way/Player to score anytime: Jerome/Larsson/Young
Scorecast options: Jerome/Larsson/Young score 1st & 1-1/2-2
Double Result: DRAW H/T & F/T

Ipswich Town vs West Brom – (Wednesday 7.45pm)

It’s Christmas present time again folks as the bookies offer of odds against for a West Brom win here looks a great value, gift wrapped bet we will gladly place on this one.

West Brom have had a mixed season in the Premier League but when you consider they went to Arsenal and won, went to Manchester United and got a 2-2 draw after being 2-0 down & incredibly went to Everton & won 4-1 then surely another away win should come in this one.

Obviously we have to respect Ipswich Town as the hosts in the game & Roy Keane will want his players to show character & pride after being dumped 4-1 by their local rivals Norwich City but surely if West Brom take this game seriously then they should have too much quality & get the job done.

Roberto Di Matteo will surely take this game seriously & play a very strong West Brom side and Ipswich Town will not want to go down without a fight so this should be a decent, competitive game with a few goals to come but in terms of a bet we have to take the great value present that is the odds against quote for a West Brom win, cheers bookies.
Betting Recommendations:
Outright Match Result: West Brom win
Correct Score options: West Brom win 2-1/3-1
First Goalscorer each way/Players to score anytime: Brunt/Dorrans/Odemwinge
Scorecast options: Brunt/Dorrans/Odemwinge score 1st & West Brom win 2-1/3-1
Double Result: West Brom H/T & F/T
Well those are our views for the Carling Cup Quarter Final matches and we hope you find them interesting & informative and that they help guide you towards successful punts on what should prove to be another truly fascinating & dramatic set of Carling Cup matches.

Remember to check the latest team news before you bet & also to shop around for the best odds & best terms available and good luck with whatever bets you have.

Carling Cup Round 4 Match Predictions:

The Carling Cup has reached Round 4 with only 16 teams left & all of them only a few steps away from a glamour final at Wembley so there is absolutely everything to play for here.

We have had a good look at all the Carling Cup ties & here are predictions for the games with the value betting options we feel are worth consideration:

Tuesday’s Carling Cup matches:

BIRMINGHAM CITY to beat Brentford 2-0/2-1
Birmingham City H/T & F/T

IPSWICH TOWN to beat Northampton 2-0/2-1
Ipswich Town H/T & F/T

WEST BROM to beat Leicester City 2-1/3-1
WEST BROM H/T & F/T

MANCHESTER UNITED to beat Wolves 2-0/3-0
Manchester United H/T & F/T

SWANSEA to beat Wigan 2-0/2-1
DRAW H/T & SWANSEA F/T

Wednesday’s Carling Cup matches:

BURNLEY to beat Aston Villa 2-1/3-1
Burnley H/T & F/T

NEWCASTLE UNITED to beat Arsenal 2-1/3-1
Newcastle Utd H/T & F/T

STOKE CITY to beat West Ham 2-0/2-1
Stoke City H/T & F/T

Well those are our views for the Carling Cup Round 4 matches and we hope you find them interesting & informative and that they help guide you towards successful punts on what should prove to be another truly fascinating & dramatic set of Carling Cup matches.

Remember to check the latest team news before you bet & also to shop around for the best odds & best terms available and good luck with whatever bets you have.

Carling Cup Round 3 Match Previews

The Carling Cup is down to the last 16 phase now & this is the stage where the Premier League teams come into the competition & that has helped to create a really fascinating & interesting fixture list for this week.

The Carling Cup is a tough competition for punters to get stuck into & take too seriously given how some managers treat their matches in this tournament but we know that & despite that, the Carling Cup still offers an opportunity to have a few fun bets.

It is next to impossible to predict how all the managers will treat this competition & therefore which players will line up for which teams so our recommendations are purely value based picks but really anything is possible in the Carling Cup so best to keep stakes low.

We have had a good look at the fixtures & here are our views on the value bets we feel are worth consideration:

Carling Cup Round 3 Predictions:

EVERTON to beat Brentford 2-0/2-1

LEICESTER CITY to beat Portsmouth 2-1/3-1

STOKE CITY to beat Fulham 2-0/2-1

TOTTENHAM to beat Arsenal 2-1/3-1

MILLWALL to beat Ipswich 2-0/2-1

WOLVES to beat Notts County 2-1/3-1

BURNLEY to beat Bolton 2-1/3-1

BIRMINGHAM CITY to beat MK Dons 2-0/2-1

SUNDERLAND to beat West Ham 2-0/2-1

PETERBOROUGH to beat Swansea 2-1/3-1

CHELSEA to beat Newcastle United 2-0/3-0

ASTON VILLA vs BLACKBURN DRAW 1-1/2-2

MANCHESTER UNITED to beat 2-1/3-1

WIGAN to beat Preston 2-0/2-1

LIVERPOOL to beat Northampton 2-0/3-0

WEST BROM to beat Man City 2-1/3-1
Well those are our views for the Carling Cup Round 3 matches and we hope you find them interesting & informative and that they help guide you towards successful punts on what should prove to be another truly fascinating & dramatic set of Carling Cup matches.

Remember to check the latest team news before you bet & also to shop around for the best odds & best terms available and good luck with whatever bets you have.

Thirteen of the thirty two clubs left in this season’s Carling Cup have won the trophy before.  In order of the number of successes, the clubs read as follows:

7–Liverpool

5–Aston Villa

4–Chelsea–Manchester United–Tottenham

3– Leicester

2–Arsenal–Manchester City–Wolves

1–Birmingham–Blackburn–Stoke–West Brom

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Tuesday’s matches–League Cup stats:

Tottenham v Arsenal (Live on SS2 7.45)

Tottenham: 3 wins–Draws: 3–Arsenal wins: 5

Recent matches at White Hart Lane: 5-1 (Jan 2008) & 2-2 (Jan 2007)

Birmingham v MK Dons

Just one match played–MK Dons won 2-1 despite Birmingham scoring the opening goal in October 1998.

Brentford v Everton

These two teams have never met in cup competitions before now.

Burnley v Bolton

This is the first League Cup meeting between these two sides.

Millwall v Ipswich

Millwall: 1 win–No draws–Ipswich: 1 win

The two matches were played over two legs in September 2000 when Millwall won 2-0 at home before being knocked out via a 0-5 defeat at Portman Road.

Peterborough v Swansea

Peterborough: 2 wins–No draws–Swansea: 1 win

Peterborough won the only match staged at this venue via a 3-0 margin in August 1995.

Portsmouth v Leicester

Portsmouth: 1 win–Draws: 1–Leicester: 1 win

Two matches stages at Fratton Park to date; Portsmouth won 2-0 in September 1977 following a 1-1 draw in 1975.

Stoke v Fulham

Stoke: 1 win–No draws–Fulham: 1 win

Stoke secured their 1-0 victory on this ground in September 1994.

Sunderland v West Ham

Sunderland: 1 win–Draws: 1–West Ham: 3 wins

Results at Sunderland: 0-3 (Sept 1988)–1-1 (fourth round in 1979)–4-1 (Sept 1964)

Wolves v Notts County

Wolves: 2 wins–No draws–Notts County: 2 wins

Scorelines at Wolves to date: 0-1 in October 1992 & 3-0 in August 1987.

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Wednesday’s games:

Scunthorpe v Manchester United (Live on SS2 7.45)

These two teams have never met before in any competition according to my records.

Aston Villa v Blackburn

Villa have won both matches to date.

Villa won 6-4 in January this year despite being two goals down within twenty six minutes of play.

Chelsea v Newcastle

Chelsea have won all four games this far. 

All matches were played when two legs were contested in the competition, the two results at Stamford Bridge; 1-0 (December 2001) & 2-1 (October 1992). 

Wigan v Preston

Wigan: No victories–Draws: 2–Preston: 4 wins

The three matches played at Wigan have produced the following scorelines: 2-3 (August 1996)–0-0 (August 1988)–1-2 (September 1980).

Liverpool v Northampton

These two teams have not met in this competition to date. 

Liverpool remain unbeaten via three matches (two wins) in League and FA Cup competitions.

West Brom v Manchester City

West Brom: 1 win–No draws: Manchester City: 2 wins

The only match played on this ground resulted in West Brom’s single victory to date via a 4-2 margin in round three in 1966.

Best Bets for the Midweek Carling Cup matches

It’s Carling Cup time again & that means absolutely anything is possible from a betting perspective as different teams treat the competition in different ways so team selection will be key but here are our own views on the best bets for the Carling Cup matches taking place on tuesday & wednesday night:

HUDDERSFIELD TOWN to beat Carlisle 2-0/2-1, Rhodes/Kay/Pilkington to score 1st/anytime

IPSWICH TOWN to beat Exeter City 2-0/2-1, Walters/Priskin/Stead to score 1st/anytime

NORWICH CITY to beat Gillingham 2-1/3-1, Martin/Holt/Jackson score 1st/anytime

BRIGHTON to beat Northampton 2-0/2-1 – Sparrow/Barnes/Smith score 1st/anytime

SOUTHAMPTON to beat Bournemouth 2-0/3-0 – Barnard/Lallana/Connolly score 1st/anytime

READING to beat Torquay 2-1/3-1 – Long/Sigurdsson/Church score 1st/anytime

BRISTOL CITY to beat Southend 2-0/3-0 – Sproule/Clarkson/Adomah score 1st/anytime
Those are our ideas of the best value bets in the Carling Cup this week & we have provided a range of correct score & goalscorer options to give different ideas for possible scorecast combinations but as ever we wish you all the best with whatever bets you have.