The new English Football League season kicks off this weekend, quickly followed by the EFL Cup the following midweek. We’ve got a couple of appealing cup fixtures to look forward to next week, as Aston Villa travel to Colchester United, while rivals Dundee and Dundee United square off in a Scottish League Cup game on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid and Manchester United go head-to-head in the UEFA Super Cup at the Philip II Arena in Skopje on Tuesday in what is the biggest clash of the week. With the Premier League season just around the corner, can Jose Mourinho add another piece of silverware to United’s growing trophy cabinet?
- Real Madrid v Manchester United – Manchester United to Win (3/1 at Sky Bet)
- Colchester United v Aston Villa – Aston Villa to Win -1 (13/8 at Bet365)
- Bury v Sunderland – Sunderland to Win to Nil (5/2 at Betfair)
- Dundee v Dundee United – Dundee to Win (5/4 at Sky Bet)
UEFA Super Cup
The Super Cup fixture is always an intriguing one, as last year’s Champions League and Europa League winners go head-to-head. On Tuesday, Real Madrid and Manchester United play in Skopje, Macedonia. Real have won this trophy three times, with the Red Devils’ solitary triumph coming all the way back in 1991.
Real Madrid v Manchester United – 8th August
Zinedine Zidane’s Real Madrid had a season to remember last year, as Los Blancos stormed to the Spanish league title, as well as retained the Champions League. Will they be as dominant this time around, though? Winning the Super Cup will signal a great start but they are behind United in terms of match sharpness so could struggle.
Man Utd were cup specialists in Mourinho’s first year in charge at Old Trafford, as the former Real boss guided United to the FA Community Shield, EFL Cup and Europa League. However, they will be looking to make a big improvement on their lowly sixth place Premier League finish.
This is a fixture both teams will be looking to win. However, we’re backing the Red Devils to kick their season off with a trophy. The English side are available at 3/1 with Sky Bet to win in the 90 on Tuesday. That looks great value given United are likely to be closer to 100% match fitness with the Premier League season so near.
Manchester United to Win – 3/1 at Sky Bet
EFL Cup
The 2017-18 EFL Cup campaign gets underway next week, with several big names participating. The likes of Aston Villa, Sunderland, Norwich City, Sheffield Wednesday and Cardiff City are playing lower league opposition, all hoping to avoid any shocks. Last season, Manchester United won this trophy, beating Southampton in a thrilling final at Wembley in February. Who will make it to the national stadium in 2018?
Colchester United v Aston Villa – 9th August
Steve Bruce takes his Aston Villa side to the Colchester Community Stadium to face John McGreal’s Colchester United on Wednesday evening. Villa, who are among the favourites to win the Championship, will be expecting to see off their League Two opponents with ease.
The Villans have pulled off some shrewd transfer business over the summer, with the capture of John Terry from Chelsea particularly eye-catching. As for the U’s, they will be looking for a League Two play-off spot at the very least this year.
Villa should have no problems getting the better of the Essex outfit on Wednesday, and we feel it will be comfortable evening for Bruce’s boys. With that said, check out Bet365’s 13/8 for the away team to win -1.
Aston Villa to Win -1 – 13/8 at Bet365
Bury v Sunderland – 10th August
Simon Grayson has a tough looking job on his hands at the Stadium of Light, as he looks to guide the Wearside club back to the top flight at the first time of asking. After facing Derby County in the Championship on Friday, the Black Cats travel to Bury in League Cup duty on Thursday.
It will very interesting to see how Sunderland cope back in the second tier, but bringing in Grayson was a very wise move. Bury, meanwhile, will be strong opponents, as they look to push on in League One after a 19th place finish last term.
If the Blacks Cats want to restore some pride after a dismal Premier League campaign, then these are the type of games they should be looking to win without any problems. We like the look of Betfair’s 5/2 for the visitors to win to nil.
Sunderland to Win to Nil – 5/2 at Betfair
Scottish League Cup
The 2017-18 Scottish League Cup is already in full flow this season. We’ve reached the second round stage, with some tasty fixtures to look forward to. Celtic welcome Kilmarnock to Celtic Park, whilst Rangers host Dunfermline Athletic. The standout tie, however, is Wednesday’s big derby between Dundee and Dundee United at Dens Park.
Dundee v Dundee United – 9th August
Whenever these two Dundee rivals go head-to-head, we always expect fireworks, with Wednesday’s Scottish League Cup fixture being no different. Being at home and in the league above, Dundee are the very clear favourites in this one. Of course, in derby games, especially cup ties, anything can happen.
These two met last week in the same competition in Group C, with the match ending in a 1-1 stalemate. United have had difficulties against their neighbours in recent times, not beating them since a 3-0 Premiership triumph back in May 2015. Wednesday’s match will be another tough fixture for the Tangerines.
We believe home advantage could be the key factor in this one, so have a punt on Sky Bet’s decent odds of 5/4 for the hosts to prevail.
Dundee to Win – 5/4 at Sky Bet