EFL Cup Fourth Round Tips
Only 16 teams remain in the quest to lift the EFL Cup and there are plenty of heavy hitters still standing with Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Newcastle and Tottenham among those with ambitions of claiming the first piece of domestic silverware of the season.
There are five sides outside of the Premier League still in contention, including League Two outfit Grimsby, who upset Manchester United earlier in the competition, and the eight ties are set to take place across Tuesday and Wednesday.
Squad rotation remains a factor for top-flight sides mixing things in multiple competitions, but a place in the quarter-finals is the incentive and we have a trio of selections for punters to consider.
Tip 1 – Brentford to win & both teams to score vs Grimsby @ 19/10
Brentford should be taking no chances with their team selection for Tuesday’s fourth-round trip to Grimsby as the League Two outfit have already claimed the prized scalp of Manchester United and upset Championship crisis club Sheffield Wednesday in this season’s competition.
The Bees should be buzzing following Saturday’s 3-2 win at home to Liverpool and, having already dumped out Bournemouth and Aston Villa, it appears that they are taking the EFL Cup seriously.
Grimsby have been scoring for fun in League Two this season - they are the division’s joint-highest scorers with 27 goals in 14 games - but Saturday’s 3-2 loss at Crewe was their third defeat in four matches.
That suggests they may find this challenge too hot to handle, but they can trouble the scoresheet against a Brentford side that have seen both teams score in six of their last eight.
Tip 2 – Arsenal to win to nil vs Brighton @ 29/20
Arsenal may have bigger fish to fry than the EFL Cup, with them in pole position in the Premier League and having also made a fine start in the Champions League.
However, manager Mikel Arteta is desperate to claim silverware so should be willing to keep his options open and that was evident in a 2-0 victory at Port Vale in the previous round with his team selection including Bukayo Saka, William Saliba and Eberechi Eze.
Such is the strength in depth now at Arsenal’s disposal, a strong starting line-up is expected at the Emirates and they can bolster their excellent defensive record with another win to nil.
The Gunners have conceded only two goals in their last 10 matches in all competitions and Brighton, on the back of Saturday’s 4-2 loss at Manchester United, may find it hard to create clearcut chances.
Tip 3 – Newcastle to beat Tottenham @ 8/13
Newcastle are the proud holders of the EFL Cup, having defeated Liverpool in last season’s final to claim their first trophy in 70 years, and they won’t want to give up their crown easily.
The Magpies made it five wins in their last seven matches with Saturday’s 2-1 victory at home to Fulham and St James’ Park should be rocking for the visit of Tottenham, who have lost on their last three visits to Tyneside.
Spurs have won just three of their last eight matches, highlighting their inconsistent start to life under Thomas Frank, and a Premier League visit from London rivals Chelsea on Saturday may ultimately carry greater significance.
Odds correct at time of publication but subject to change
