Several of the Premier League big boys join the Carabao Cup in midweek, with the likes of Everton, West Ham United and Newcastle United all in action. Meanwhile, for the minnows, they know they are just one more win away from a potential glamour tie against the likes of Man United, Liverpool and City, who enter in the next round.
It’s also the final hurdle of European qualification, with a number of crucial UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League play-off second legs taking place. The group stage of these competitions are when the action hots up and the financial rewards become huge and so the various clubs will be desperate for one more positive result.
EFL Cup
| Date | Time | Match | Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| 28/08/18 | 19:45 | Wimbledon v West Ham | West Ham Win |
| 29/08/18 | 19:45 | Nottm Forest v Newcastle | Nottm Forest Win |
The EFL Cup really gets going as several of the Premier League clubs join the competition in midweek. Last season, Manchester City went all the way, beating Arsenal in the final. Can anyone stop Pep Guardiola’s men from dominating again? City are favourites to retain the trophy, with the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool not too far behind. The Carabao Cup should offer a great chance for the likes of Jurgen Klopp and Mauricio Pochettino to win their first silverware at their current clubs but of course there is a long way to go yet.
Wimbledon v West Ham United
28th August, 19:45, Sky Sports
Manuel Pellegrini takes his struggling West Ham side to Kingsmeadow to face EFL League One outfit Wimbledon. The Dons have been on a remarkable rise in recent years, and they would love to beat the Hammers on Tuesday.
Neal Ardley’s men have made a decent start to their season, suffering their first defeat at home to Walsall last Tuesday. It’s been a difficult start for Pellegrini at West Ham, as the Irons have already lost twice in the Premier League prior to their weekend clash with Arsenal.
Wimbledon will be tough opponents for the Hammers, but the Premier League outfit should sneak a win in Kingston upon Thames. The West Ham win is priced 4/5 with Betfair and that’s decent value in a competition they could be dark horses for.
West Ham United Win – 4/5 at Betfair
Nottingham Forest v Newcastle United
29th August, 19:45, Sky Sports
On Wednesday night in the Carabao Cup, Aitor Karanka’s Nottingham Forest and Rafa Benitez’s Newcastle meet at the City Ground. This could be a real banana skin for Newcastle, although in truth a home win would be far from a shock.
Forest have been tipped to have a good season in the EFL Championship under the experienced Karanka this season. As for the Magpies, Premier League survival will be number one priority for them.
This promises to be an entertaining match at the City Ground, and we fancy Forest to seal a win against the Premier League side. The home win is available at decent enough odds of 15/8 at bet365.
Nottingham Forest to Win – 15/8 at bet365
UEFA Champions League
| Date | Time | Match | Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| 28/08/18 | 20:00 | Dynamo Kiev v Ajax | Ajax Win & BTTS |
| 29/08/18 | 20:00 | RB Salzburg v Red Star | RB Salzburg HT/FT |
There are still places up for grabs in this season’s Champions League. With six ties left, which teams will make it through to the lucrative group stage? Three of the first legs finished all square, with everything to play for in the second legs in midweek. We’ll be concentrating on Dynamo Kiev’s match with Ajax, and Wednesday’s game between Red Bull Salzburg and Red Star Belgrade.
Dynamo Kiev v Ajax
28th August, 20:00, BT Sport
Dynamo Kiev and Ajax meet at the Olimpiyskiy Stadium in Kiev for a Champions League play-off second leg on Tuesday.
Erik ten Hag’s men hold a handsome lead from the first leg in Amsterdam, with Donny van de Beek, Hakim Ziyech and Dusan Tadic on the scoresheet in a 3-1 victory for Ajax. Two goals should be enough for the Dutch but if they concede early it will be game on.
Kiev still have hope after scoring an away goal in Amsterdam, but Ajax will fancy their chances of winning in Ukraine. We fancy the Dutch giants to prove too strong and the away side to win and both teams to score is well priced at 9/2 with bet365.
Ajax Win & BTTS – 9/2 at bet365
Red Bull Salzburg v Red Star Belgrade
29th August, 20:00, BT Sport
Marco Rose’s Red Bull Salzburg and Vladan Milojevic’s Red Star Belgrade meet at the Red Bull Arena on Wednesday night. After a tight and tense 0-0 draw in the first leg in Belgrade, this tie is well and truly in the balance.
Having claimed a draw in Serbia, Salzburg are the overwhelming favourites to get the job done on their own patch. This should be an easy win for the home team, so have a punt on Salzburg to be winning at half time and full time (13/10 at Coral).
Red Bull Salzburg HT/FT – 13/10 at Coral
UEFA Europa League
| Date | Time | Match | Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30/08/18 | 15:00 | Ufa v Rangers | Rangers to Win 1-0 |
| 30/08/18 | 19:45 | Burnley v Olympiacos | 1-1 Draw |
| 30/08/18 | 20:00 | Celtic v Suduva | Celtic to Win to Nil |
Rangers and Celtic are both fighting for a place in the Europa League. The team in Blue will be delighted with their progress, whilst for the Bhoys this is a poor consolation prize after the dropped out of the Champions League.
The Gers are in Russia to play Ufa, while the Hoops host Lithuanian side Suduva at Celtic Park. Meanwhile, after a poor first leg, Sean Dyche’s Burnley have plenty of work to do in their tie when they welcome Greek giants Olympiacos to Turf Moor.
Ufa v Rangers
30th August, 15:00
Steven Gerrard has made a fine start to his managerial career at Rangers. After a 1-0 win at Ibrox Stadium, the Gers have a lead to defend in this tie against Ufa in Russia. They also have the benefit of not having conceded an away goal.
Connor Goldson’s goal just before half time gave Rangers a win in Glasgow, which Gerrard and co will be hoping is enough to see them into the Europa League group stage. Ufa will no doubt have a go on home soil, but Rangers will be targeting a win in Russia. Betfair are offering odds of 7/1 for a repeat 1-0 Gers victory on Thursday and that’s worth a small interest.
Rangers to Win 1-0 – 7/1 at Betfair
Burnley v Olympiacos
30th August, 19:45
Burnley host Olympiacos at Turf Moor for the second leg of their Europa League play-off tie on Thursday. The Clarets have it all do after a 3-1 defeat in Greece. They have started the season poorly but can they bounce back here?
Despite a brave performance, Burnley were beaten 3-1 by Olympiacos, with two second-half goals sealing the deal for the Greek side. However, Chris Wood’s away goal has given Dyche’s men hope.
Burnley will have to be at their very best on Thursday, but in truth, even if they are, we can see them coming up short. Back the 1-1 draw at 11/2 (BetVictor).
1-1 Draw – 11/2 at BetVictor
Celtic v Suduva
30th August, 20:00
After being knocked out of Champions League qualifying, Celtic will be hoping to progress to the Europa League group stage. The Scottish champions entertain Suduva on Thursday.
Olivier Ntcham’s third-minute goal gave the Bhoys a 1-0 lead in Suduva, but the hosts equalised just 10 minutes later. With the scores level, Brendan Rodgers’ boys will back themselves to get the job done at Celtic Park.
We fancy Celtic to win to nil on Thursday, which you can get at 1/2 with Betfred. They haven’t made the best of starts this term but they remain a very tough nut to crack at home.
Celtic to Win to Nil – 1/2 at Betfred