Carabao Cup tips and predictions: Chelsea after revenge and more Cup shortcomings for Liverpool
Carabao Cup
The Carabao Cup takes centre stage this midweek as five-time winners Chelsea host Newcastle and record nine-time winners Liverpool welcome West Ham.
The quarterfinals of the Carabao Cup take place on Tuesday and Wednesday with three all-Premier League ties and a clash between the outright outsiders.
We’ve put together a quick preview of each tie and picked out our favourite bet.
Suggested bets
Middlesbrough to beat Port Vale
Everton vs Fulham
Fulham have become all-conquering at Craven Cottage but they’ve not won away to Premier League opposition since beating Everton 1-0 on August 12.
The Toffees are a different team at this point, embodying the defiant attitude their fans so often portray and are currently launching at the Premier League.
Marco Silva’s side have won just three of their 15 Premier League away games, but this looks a tougher test than the two they won against Everton.
With each of their previous four home wins coming by two or more goals, long gone are the days of Sean Dyche's Everton clinging on for a 1-0. They should get the better of leaky Fulham.
Port Vale vs Middlesbrough
Luckily for the lowest-ranked sides left in the Carabao Cup, they’ve drawn each other. Luck seems to be on Port Vale’s side as they’ve yet to draw a team above them before this.
Opponents Middlesbrough have come through four tricky away ties so far, including wins at Bradford and Exeter, so they look well-prepared under Michael Carrick.
Boro snapped a three-game losing streak at the weekend while the Valiants, 15th in League One, ended their five-game losing tilt at Vale Park.
Although it’s a banana skin, Carrick’s side have guarded against that so far and the hosts are in quite poor form.
Chelsea vs Newcastle
A full-strength, in-form Newcastle likely beat Chelsea, but the Magpies are still dealing with multiple injuries and things may be starting to click at Stamford Bridge.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side is unbeaten in four at home, picking up three wins and crashing in 11 goals in the process.
Overall, they’ve avoided defeat in nine of their 12 home matches. On the other hand, Newcastle have managed just two wins in their last 12 away from home.
Chelsea will want a measure of revenge for their recent 4-1 hammering at St James’ Park and this fixture may not be high on Eddie Howe’s list of priorities.
Liverpool vs West Ham
Last but not least, Liverpool plays host to West Ham at Anfield where Jurgen Klopp’s side will be desperate to bounce back from their below-par effort against Man Utd.
David Moyes' side sent Arsenal packing in the previous round and have won on the road against Brighton and Tottenham this season.
They’ve been plagued by inconsistency, though, as they’ve also found a way to concede three to Brentford and five against Fulham. But there’s one stat in particular that offers hope.
In 18 home League Cup ties dating back to 2013, Liverpool have won just five in 90 minutes. Notts County, Carlisle, Stoke and Derby have avoided defeat here, so West Ham can fancy their chances.
