We’ve got action in the EFL Cup to look forward to in midweek as the likes of Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal all feature. With places in the semi-finals up for grabs, we should be in for four tasty matches.
It’s also the third round of the German DFB-Pokal. On Wednesday, rivals Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund square off. The pick of the action on Tuesday comes from the Max-Morlock-Stadion where second-tier Nuremburg take on the Bundesliga’s Wolfsburg.
- Leicester City v Manchester City – Manchester City to Win -1 (21/20 at Coral)
- Arsenal v West Ham United – Arsenal to Win 2-0 (15/2 at BetVictor)
- Chelsea v Bournemouth – Chelsea to Win to Nil (5/4 at BetVictor)
- Bristol City v Manchester United – Manchester United to Win and Both Teams to Score (2/1 at Bet365)
- Nuremburg v Wolfsburg – Wolfsburg to Win 2-1 (8/1 at BetVictor)
- Bayern Munich v Borussia Dortmund – Bayern Munich to Win -1 (15/13 at Ladbrokes)
EFL Cup
Man City may be running away with the Premier League title, but Pep Guardiola will be keeping an eye on this season’s EFL Cup. After winning nothing in his first year in England, Guardiola will want the lot this time around and the way things are shaping up an amazing quadruple can’t be ruled out. On Tuesday, the Citizens travel to the home of the 2015-16 Premier League champions as they face Claude Puel’s in-form Leicester City. Meanwhile, Jose Mourinho takes his Man Utd side to Ashton Gate to play Bristol City on Wednesday. Could the Manchester clubs be heading closer to another big game against each other?
Leicester City v Manchester City – 19th December
Both Leicester City and Man City have been in top form of late. On Tuesday, the pair do battle at the King Power Stadium for a place in the semi-final of the Carabao Cup. Will the Citizens be too strong for Puel’s Foxes in midweek or can someone finally stop Pep’s men?
Since Puel arrived at the KP, Leicester have gone from strength to strength. In fact, the Foxes have been beaten just once in their 12 matches in all competitions,
winning seven of those along the way. Leicester’s sole defeat during that time came against Man City last month but even that was a narrow loss.
That said, Guardiola’s men have looked the real deal in every way this season, and they will back themselves to get the job done in the Midlands. Whatever XI the manager sends out, the visitors should be too strong, so take a look at Coral’s 21/20 for Man City to win -1.
Manchester City to Win -1 – 21/20 at Coral
Arsenal v West Ham United – 19th December
Also on Tuesday, London rivals Arsenal and West Ham United meet at the Emirates Stadium. These two went head-to-head in a Premier League fixture last Wednesday, playing out an entertaining 0-0 draw in the London Stadium, the woodwork being rattled on three occasions.
Surprisingly given his FA Cup record, Arsene Wenger has never won the EFL Cup, but a home victory over the Hammers on Tuesday will see the Gunners reach the final four. Arsenal’s last League Cup triumph came way back in 1993. Being the hosts, Wenger’s side are the favourites to progress.
West Ham have made a vast improvement since David Moyes entered the fray in east London and have done well in some big games but we can’t see them toppling the Gunners at the Emirates. A 2-0 Arsenal win (15/2 at BetVictor) has caught our eye in this one.
Arsenal to Win 2-0 – 15/2 at BetVictor
Chelsea v Bournemouth – 20th December
Antonio Conte’s Chelsea and Eddie Howe’s Bournemouth lock horns at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday. The Blues, who lifted this trophy for the fifth time in 2015, will no doubt be looking to reach the final four.
After suffering a disappointing loss to West Ham, Chelsea got back to winning ways in the Premier League on Tuesday, beating Huddersfield Town 3-1. The Cherries, meanwhile, lost 1-0 at Old Trafford in a very hard fought contest.
These two met in the league a short while ago with Chelsea prevailing 1-0 at Dean Court. We fancy Conte’s troops to beat Bournemouth to nil again, which is nicely priced at 5/4 with BetVictor.
Chelsea to Win to Nil – 5/4 at BetVictor
Bristol City v Manchester United – 20th December
Lee Johnson’s high-flying Bristol City entertain Jose Mourinho’s Man Utd at Ashton Gate on Wednesday. The Football League Championship team may be in the league below the Red Devils but the Robins are a side in top form at present.
On their way to the last eight, Bristol City have seen off the likes of Watford, Stoke City and Crystal Palace. As such, they won’t fear Premier League opposition, especially at home, in a game where they really have nothing to lose. As for the Red Devils, who have won the League Cup on five occasions, they have beaten Burton Albion and Swansea City.
Johnson’s side have looked strong in all competitions this term, but we can see them falling to defeat on Wednesday. Check out Bet365’s 2/1 for United to win and both teams to score at Ashton Gate.
Manchester United to Win and Both Teams to Score – 2/1 at Bet365
German DFB-Pokal
All big clubs in Germany want to win the DFB-Pokal – just ask Bayern Munich, who have lifted this trophy a record 18 times. There has been no bigger game in Germany over the past few years than Bayern v Dortmund, and the pair square off at the Allianz Arena in a tasty German Cup match next Wednesday. Before then, though, Nuremburg and Wolfsburg take centre stage on Tuesday.
Nuremburg v Wolfsburg – 19th December
Nuremburg may ply their trade in the 2. Bundesliga these days, but they will be looking to cause an upset when they host the 2014-15 DFB-Pokal winners Wolfsburg at the Max-Morlock-Stadion on Tuesday.
Nuremburg, four-time German Cup winners themselves, currently occupy second spot in the second tier after an excellent start to their campaign. Michael Kollner’s side have won 10 of their 17 league games and on home soil will fancy they can cause an upset.
As for Wolfsburg, they sit 12th in the Bundesliga on 19 points from 16 matches. With this taking place in Bavaria, we could be in for a close match. Although we’re backing the visitors to nick it, we also fancy Kollner’s men to put up a brave fight. Take a punt on BetVictor’s 8/1 for a 2-1 away win.
Wolfsburg to Win 2-1 – 8/1 at BetVictor
Bayern Munich v Borussia Dortmund – 20th December
The standout DFB-Pokal fixture of the round comes from the Allianz Arena on Wednesday as German giants Bayern and Dortmund square off for a place in the last eight.
These two are among the most successful clubs in Germany, but no side has won the DFB-Pokal more times than the current German champions. As for the Black and Yellows, they are the holders having beaten Eintracht Frankfurt in Berlin to lift their fourth trophy last term.
The pair have had their problems this season, so both will be looking to go far in this competition. Home advantage could be the deciding factor, so we’re backing the hosts to go through. Bayern to win -1 is available at 15/13 (Ladbrokes) and that’s decent value.
Bayern Munich to Win -1 – 15/13 at Ladbrokes