Wednesday’s Carabao Cup tips: Arsenal slip-up, Liverpool goals and City to edge Chelsea
- Seb Sternik
- 8 November 2022
Check out our key stats and suggested bets for Wednesday’s third round Carabao Cup action which sees Arsenal host Brighton, Liverpool take on Derby and Manchester City welcome Chelsea.
Arsenal vs Brighton
Premier League leaders Arsenal have got their sights set on a first league crown since the 2003/04 campaign.
The Gunners have won 11 of their last 13 games across all competitions and haven't conceded a goal in 297 minutes of football.
Mikel Arteta's men are currently two points ahead of Manchester City in the table and need to keep their foot firmly on the gas if they are to mount a serious challenge for the title following the world cup.
Considering their position, Arsenal's primary focus this week will be on Saturday's trip to Wolves.
With that in mind, don't be surprised to see a much-changed Gunners outfit for Wednesday's cup clash with Brighton.
Speaking of the Seagulls, this is a side which will arrive at the Emirates on the back of successive victories.
Roberto De Zerbi's side thrashed Chelsea 4-1 and beat Wolves 3-2 as they climbed up to sixth in the league.
Brighton don't have European ambitions to worry about, nor are they under any pressure to deliver a top four or a top six finish.
With the south-coast club in good form, a long cup run could be on the cards if they can get the better of Arsenal.
Should the Gunners field a weakened team, they could be for the taking. Brighton love a trip to North London and have won two of their previous three visits to the Emirates stadium.
With that in mind, our recommendation is to back a surprise 2-1 win for Brighton in the correct score market.
Liverpool vs Derby County
Liverpool and Derby County both share a big fanbase and a notable history. However, the clubs have gone in completely opposite trajectories over the lsat few seasons.
While the Reds have achieved countless successes and won multiple trophies under the guidance of Jurgen Klopp, Derby have gone from the brink of Premier League promotion to the edge of extinction.
This Wednesday, the two clubs will clash at Anfield with a place in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup on the line.
Liverpool have won six of their last eight games, yet they are continued to be regarded as inconsistent due to their high level of expectations.
Derby, on the other hand, are currently seventh in League One having won just seven of their 16 games in the competition.
One area the third-tier side have struggled in is goalscoring. Derby have bagged 20 league goals this season which is the same as 24th placed Burton Albion.
Nothing epitomises their goalscoring woes more than the fact Derby missed two penalties in their 1-1 draw with Morecambe last weekend.
Liverpool are unsurprisingly the big favourites for the midweek clash and considering the level of opposition, they should complete the job with goals to spare. As a result, our recommendation is to back the Reds with a -2 handicap.
Manchester City vs Chelsea
Of all the games taking place this midweek, it's Chelsea's trip to the Etihad stadium which sticks out more than any other.
Blues boss Graham Potter got off to a good start to life at Stamford Bridge, however the new-manager gloss is appearing to wear thin.
After going unbeaten in his first nine games, Chelsea have lost two of their following three outings - including a 1-0 home defeat to Arsenal and a 4-1 thrashing at Brighton.
While Potter's job is not under immediate threat - though you can never be sure of that at Chelsea - the Blues will be desperate to get their first win over a Big Six club this season.
Beating Man City at the Etihad though is far easier said than done. Pep Guardiola's men have won 15 successive games at home, and are unbeaten in 19.
The last team to pick up a victory in the blue half of Manchester was Tottenham who earned a 3-2 win last February.
Guardiola's men have a love-affair with the Carabao Cup and have won the competition four times over the last five seasons.
Their four-year unbeaten run was ended by West Ham last year as Liverpool went on to claim the title in a final against Chelsea.
City don't take this competition lightly - especially when the opposition is Chelsea. With that in mind, we are expecting a competitive fixture at the Etihad.
However, just because a game is competitive, doesn't mean you should expect goals. In fact, four of the last five games between these clubs ended in a 1-0 scoreline.
With City in the ascendancy and Chelsea slumping to a couple of defeats, our recommendation is to back the hosts to win and the match to produce under 2.5 goals.
Key stats
Arsenal haven't conceded a goal in three straight games
Brighton won two of last three visits to the Emirates
Derby haven't beaten Liverpool since 1999
Liverpool have won six of their last eight games
Four of the last five Man City vs Chelsea games finished 1-0
Chelsea have won just two of their last six games
Suggested bets
Brighton to beat Arsenal 2-1 - Correct Score
Liverpool -2 Handicap vs Derby County
Man City to beat Chelsea and under 2.5 goals
