The Carabao Cup has stirred up plenty of debate today with the news that its third round draw will take place at 4.15am on Thursday morning in China.
Then again, boosting energy is a well-known side effect of the sponsor’s product.
But, with British football fans bemused at the League Cup draw being relocated to the Far East, Paddy Power have priced up whether one of the actual fixtures themselves might move overseas.
Given Carabao’s country of origin, Thailand is the unsurprising favourite to host a game before 2020 at 6/1, ahead of China (10/1), Qatar (20/1), and North Korea (500/1).
Find the latest Champions League odds over on PaddyPower.com#CarabaoCup: Round Three Draw information >> https://t.co/FTHoukP7fh pic.twitter.com/qJM17yJ8fi
— Carabao Cup (@Carabao_Cup) August 21, 2017
With firmly tongue in cheek, got a price for a Carabao Cup game to take place on the moon before 2020 – with odds of 10,000/1 available.
Asked about the bizarre circumstances of the draw spokesman Paddy Power said: “Carabao are certainly getting plenty of bang for their sponsorship buck, with all the chatter around the third round draw. It’s almost as if that’s the reason they’ve done it.
“In any case, clearly the Thai company want to make the tournament out of this world good – so what better location than The Moon for a match?”
Fans were not happy with the news to say the least:
Why is the draw for the English League Cup taking place in China and at 4:15am UK time? Is this a wind up? pic.twitter.com/MO2hKRSHW4
— gibgod (@gibgod) August 21, 2017
https://twitter.com/_g__man_/status/899557419906420736
— Kris Holland (@KrisH0lland) August 21, 2017
https://twitter.com/laurabarr38/status/899559780678762497
What kind of bullshit is this…. it's an English competition why the hell is the draw gonna be held in china at 4am UK time
— gulam (@Guly_Mullaaa) August 21, 2017
Surely the draw can be done later in the day in Beijing so, you know, the fans and clubs in England ARE ACTUALLY AWAKE.
— Clare (@clarebearthomas) August 21, 2017
TO HOST A CARABAO CUP GAME BEFORE 2020— Mac (@ChrisswfcMac) August 21, 2017
6/1 Thailand
10/1 China
20/1 Qatar
500/1 North Korea
10000/1 The Moon