You’d think overexposure to the League Cup in such a small window would yield some level of contempt for it, but actually, it’s had the opposite effect.
Like a man after necking six cans of Carabao, I’m full of enthusiasm and honestly more engaged with the competition than ever before, simply because it feels like a mini-tournament and it doesn’t randomly pop up – it’s borderline ever-present.
More power to the League Cup, I say.
Since goals have been the topic of the weekend, I sense this may continue into midweek action too with some typical ‘trap’ games for big clubs and ties that, with crowds at them, would genuinely feel like decent occasions. It’s unfortunate.
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But that doesn’t mean we’re going to be shorted on the action – oh, no my friends.
Watford, a junction outside London, going to south Wales?
The posh side of west London nipping over to the black country?
Forcing a bunch of proud Yorkshiremen to miss evening tea to go to the capital?
Not sure what other kind of cultural immersion one could ask for. Welcome to Carabao Cup Tuesdays – and here’s a treble so you can donate to Hull’s Yorkshire pudding haul en route back to Humberside.
7pm: Newport County v Watford – Newport and the Draw
You do feel like, if Watford are to actually achieve what is absolutely expected of them, then they need to swiftly forget the midweek games in this competition.
The issue with the Hornets is, they kept a lot of their better players despite being relegated but they no longer possess the depth to mount challenges on all fronts.
And if the winning formula says you have to subtract the League Cup, then so be it.
7pm: West Brom v Brentford – Both Teams to Score
It does feel like there’s goals in this West Brom side; it’s just a case of scoring them when they actually matter.
They netted twice against Everton at the weekend, albeit in vain after Kieran Gibbs saw red, but there’s a sense that Slaven Bilic might use this competition to not only keep favour as they progress, but to see if his younger players can spice up an otherwise lacklustre performance level in the league thus far.
Given they’re more open than an underground pub during lockdown, I still fancy the nifty Brentford to hit them for at least one, though.
7.30pm: West Ham v Hull – Sebastien Haller to Score First
I don’t know why the most potentially prolific striker at West Ham United Football Club is being exiled from the starting XI, particularly as he displayed his prowess in the previous round of this competition.
But if he has to keep banging them in to prove he’s not only better than starting in the League Cup, but better than West Ham in general, then so be it.
Hull have started quite well in League One, too – so I’m unsure they’ll even be up for this. I wonder if they can convince Jarrod Bowen to come back?
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widget
Carabao Cup betting summary – Tuesday, September 22
7.00pm: Newport County v Watford – Newport and the Draw
7.00pm: West Brom v Brentford – Both Teams to Score
7.30pm: West Ham v Hull – Sebastien Haller to Score First
These three selections combined in a treble would return odds of around 14/1
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