Carabao Cup: Reds can pip Hammers for spot in semis
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League Cup betting tips and quarter-final odds
The Carabao Cup is at the business end of the competition and we have tips from all four quarter-finals taking place on Tuesday and Wednesday.
One Football League team are guaranteed a place in the last four after Port Vale were paired with Middlesbrough, with the other three ties all-Premier League affairs.
Our League Cup betting tips can be backed in a four-fold at almost 40/1 and we start at Goodison Park with the clash between Everton and Fulham.
Everton v Fulham (Tue, 19.45)
The Toffees go into the game on a high after posting their fourth successive Premier League victory without conceding in a 2-0 win at Burnley over the weekend.
Fulham’s excellent run of results came to an end in a 3-0 defeat at Newcastle where their hopes of a fourth win in five went up in smoke in the first quarter when in-form striker Raul Jimenez was needlessly sent off for barging into Sean Longstaff which means he is suspended for the trip to Merseyside.
The Cottagers beat Everton 1-0 at Goodison Park on the opening weekend of the season, but Sean Dyche’s side are evens favourites to reach the semi-finals after turning their season around following a 10-point deduction for breaching the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules.
With Everton’s defence looking watertight, we’re on board at least one team not to score at 11/10 to kick off our League Cup betting tips.
Chelsea v Newcastle (Tue, 20.00. Sky Sports)
Newcastle smashed Chelsea 4-1 at St James’ Park just over three weeks ago, but five of the players that started that game could miss this quarter-final.
Nick Pope is definitely out, with doubts surrounding Alexander Isak and Kieran Trippier, who missed Saturday’s 3-0 victory over Fulham which saw Joelinton and Fabian Schar join a lengthy injury list.
Chelsea are 4/5 favourites to reach the semi-finals, but despite beating Sheffield United at the weekend, their only win against top-eight sides this season came against nine-man Tottenham, who lost two key players during the game.
Instead of picking a winner, we’ll go with both teams to score and over 2.5 goals at 21/20 as our next selection.
Port Vale v Middlesbrough (Tue, 19.45)
Boro fans are dreaming of 2004 all over again after beating Exeter from behind in the last 16 to reach the quarter-finals.
Almost 20 years after they beat Bolton in the final at Wembley, Boro head to Vale Park for a fifth successive away fixture in this competition priced at 5/6 to progress.
Despite both teams winning at the weekend, their form has generally been poor in their respective divisions, with Boro ending a three-match losing run with a 2-1 victory at Swansea, while Port Vale’s 11-game winless streak is over after a 3-2 win against Wigan made it back-to-back successes.
Boro should have too much for the hosts, though, and an away win and over 2.5 goals at 31/20 for a third match in four in this competition looks the way to go.
Liverpool v West Ham (Wed, 20.00, Sky Sports)
We wrap up our League Cup betting tips at nine-time winners Liverpool, who are 2/5 favourites to beat West Ham for an eighth successive time at Anfield.
The Reds’ home form has been spectacular, but they failed to win for the first time in front of their own supporters on Sunday when Manchester United ground out a goalless draw in an uninspiring encounter.
West Ham beat Arsenal 3-1 in the fourth round and will be on a high after bouncing back from their drubbing at Fulham with a 3-0 victory over Wolves on Sunday.
It may be worth checking Jurgen Klopp’s starting XI an hour before kick-off bearing in mind they host Arsenal in the Premier League on Saturday, so if he goes with a weakened team the Hammers may be an interesting prospect at 9/5 to win or draw in the double chance market.
However, we’re relying on a full-strength side to beat West Ham by a one-goal margin at 27/10 for a fifth time in six meetings at this ground.
All odds and markets correct as of date of publication
