In The Mixer: Experts pick their EFL Cup winners
Content Editor at Free Super Tips, Alex was born in the shadow of Old Trafford and is an avid Man Utd fan. After graduating from university he combined his love of football, writing and betting to join FST and now closely follows goings-on in all of the top European leagues.
In The Mixer is FST’s weekly column where we catch up with our team of football betting experts and get their opinion on the hot topic of the week.
The big boys are in action in the EFL Cup this week and with Tuesday and Wednesday’s action in mind, we’ve quizzed our experts on their picks for the winner of the competition.
Rob Eddy
While it is usually a risk going against the big boys in this competition, or indeed backing Spurs to win a trophy, Ange Postecoglou’s attacking outfit could be worth supporting at 12/1.
Those odds will be helped by having to face City in the next round but Pep Guardiola will be resting his big guns for that clash, although Spurs have as good a record against the Citizens as any regardless, as well as home advantage. Sunday’s defeat is a little off-putting but could still be a beneficial kick up the backside going forward.
Arsenal and Liverpool may well have bigger priorities, while one of Newcastle or Chelsea will be out, and the draw could open up at a juicy price.
Liam Flin
This might not age well given they travel to Newcastle in the last 16 on Wednesday but I think Chelsea could be in with a chance of going all the way.
The Blues have performed better than expected under Enzo Maresca this season, keeping in contention for the top four in the Premier League and winning both of their matches in the Europa Conference League.
It finall feels as though they are heading in the right direction and a cup triumph would do wonders for the club.
They have a big squad to cope with the added fixtures and at a best-priced 8-1 in the outright betting, they are worthy of interest.
Henry Hardwicke
I think you can oppose the teams at the head of the market and take a chance on a big-priced runner. The injury concerns of Arsenal and Man City could make it difficult for those sides to balance multi-competition commitments and Liverpool, Chelsea, Aston Villa and Spurs all have European endeavours to consider.
Brentford will be pushing for a top-half finish in the Premier League, the Bees have scored 18 goals in their six home matches this term and Thomas Frank’s side will be a tricky team to beat in west London.
Tuesday night’s Brentford Community Stadium clash with Sheffield Wednesday should see the Bees into the next round and offers of 25-1 look a little too big.
Enda McElhinney
It feels like Mikel Arteta has paid his dues as Arsenal manager and the next logical thing is to win a trophy. He inherited a soft-centred Gunners outfit but there is a steeliness now, with even a touch of the dark arts – which never hurts.
Arsenal ‘need’ some silverware to validate the Arteta journey and the fact Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka both started against Bolton Wanderers in their opener suggests the Spaniard is fully tuned into that need.
Arsenal’s trophy craving could be crucial – that plus the fact their neighbours Spurs might bump off Manchester City in the last-16.
Jack Ogalbe
The draw has been kind to Brentford and they should overcome Sheffield Wednesday, so their best price of 25-1 makes them a value shout.
Meanwhile, 10-1 Newcastle were finalists two seasons ago and their uncertain form, plus their much-derided wait for silverware, means they may prioritise this competition starting with Wednesday’s revenge mission against Chelsea.
However, while having bigger goals to consider, collecting silverware in his first season will be a big goal for new Liverpool boss Arne Slot. The Reds won the EFL Cup for a record tenth time last term and, at 8-1, Jurgen Klopp’s final trophy could turn out to be his successor’s first.
Ian Wilkerson
There have been strong signs that this season is going to be a lot better for Chelsea than their last two underwhelming campaigns and I fancy them to have a strong EFL Cup run despite a tie at Newcastle this week.
Manager Enzo Maresca has already shrewdly left Cole Palmer out of the squad for the league phase of the Conference League and they can have a valid stab at this competition when the other big boys will also be shuffling the pack.
The difference between Maresca’s first-choice line-up and his reserves is probably not as great as some of the others and, after finishing runners-up three times in the last six years, they can go one better this time.
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