The fourth round of the Carabao Cup is here – we are another step closer to the Wembley Stadium showpiece. With five of England’s top six still in the competition, punters will be eagerly anticipating Tuesday night’s fixtures. Manchester United do feature in our tips for this week but Eddie Howe’s Bournemouth head the accumulator. Check out my thoughts on the action below...
BOURNEMOUTH vs Middlesbrough
Eddie Howe’s men have struggled so far this season but a 2-1 victory away at Stoke City last weekend may spur the Cherries on as they look to build momentum.
Bournemouth will be confident of challenging for silverware in the League Cup this campaign and a quarter-final berth beckons barring a major collapse on their part on Tuesday evening.
Meanwhile, Middlesbrough have bigger fish to fry – securing promotion back to the Premier League has to be their number one priority. Garry Monk is a decent manager but this may be a step too far for the visitors.
The top flight side are unbeaten in their last three home games in all competitions and Boro’s run of five without a win does nothing to inspire confidence.
TIP: Bournemouth to win @ 8/11
Swansea City vs MANCHESTER UNITED
Swansea will rue last weekend’s defeat to Leicester City – the Welsh side failed to make up for a disappointing first half performance.
Against Manchester United, it is always going to be difficult but this might just be the best time to play the Red Devils. Swansea’s record in this fixture isn’t the worst but United did put four goals past Paul Clement’s side earlier this season...
And while Jose Mourinho’s men may not score four this time around, I’m expecting a similar outcome in terms of result – a convincing United win.
The Red Devils represent great value at 4/7 to win in south Wales on Tuesday evening and plenty of punters will be backing the visitors to get back to winning ways. This could get out of hand if United hit top form.
TIP: Manchester United to win @ 4/7
CHELSEA vs Everton
What is going on at Stamford Bridge? Chelsea have been far from assured in recent weeks – conceding three at home against Roma before allowing Watford to bag a couple of goals in their most recent top flight encounter.
Antonio Conte is in dire need of a confidence booster and an early Blues onslaught may be expected against Everton.
It is official: Ronald Koeman has left the club. You won’t find too many Toffees fans crying at his departure after a very poor start to the campaign and this isn’t the easiest of starts for interim boss David Unsworth.
Everton may struggle to keep tabs on Chelsea if the hosts go for the jugular and Conte may go with a strong starting line-up as he hunts silverware for the second year in a row.
TIP: Chelsea to win the first half @ 19/20
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR vs West Ham United
Spurs will head into this contest as red hot favourites and rightly so. After picking up a draw away at Real Madrid in the Champions League, the north London outfit thrashed Liverpool on Sunday – putting four goals past Jurgen Klopp’s hapless defence.
Harry Kane may get a rest here but if he does feature, expect the England man to get his name on the scoresheet at some stage.
Meanwhile, West Ham are in disarray and Slaven Bilic’s days at the London Stadium may be numbered; although the owners have stated that they will discuss his future at the end of the current campaign.
Spurs aren’t totally consistent at Wembley Stadium just yet but this looks tough for the Hammers and the hosts are worth backing at 4/9 in our League Cup odds.
TIP: Tottenham to win @ 4/9
*Odds subject to change - correct at time of writing*
