This competition is terrific. I don’t mean in a conventional sense – I just mean how it always seems like nobody cares if they win it, and it becomes both a carrot and a crutch as we approach these rounds.
The Carabao Cup is back gracing your screens this Wednesday evening, and we’re blessed with two all-Premier League ties. Although we’re not sure Man City can even qualify as that given their home opener where they shipped five to Leicester City.
They travel to Burnley full of dread, and not the usual dread a commuter may have going to the Lancashire town. There’s a sense that they might actually need to win the game.
Everton and West Ham might be the highlight fixture of the night as two sides who should technically have similar aspirations couldn’t have started the Premier League campaign on more different terms.
What’s funny is that West Ham’s performances in this competition have been quiet promising, especially thanks to Sebastien Haller, who couldn’t seem to buy league involvement.
However, that 4-0 trouncing of Wolves fills them with optimism, capped with a late Haller goal. Everton, meanwhile, have looked as impressive as anyone thus far.
Here’s a cheeky 18/1 double for you to line the pockets.
19:00 Burnley v Man City: Over 4.5 Goals
Two things: the first being that Man City really don’t want to lose this game, and they’re actually going to try and win it; which means the sessions leading upto would have been intense and focused. Secondly, this tie is seeing goals regardless.
If City play their first team, they’ll slap Burnley. If they play a mix, which you’d expect, they’ll both slap Burnley and get slapped right back and the Clarets know how to bully young centre halves.
We’re not quite sure just how Liam Delap looks a functional footballer given his father was known far more for his hands than his feet while in the Premier League, but there you go.
If three games in a few days aren’t too much for Phil Foden, expect him to grab a couple too. This might actually be worth watching if Over 4.5 Goals comes in.
19:45 Everton v West Ham: Haller to Score Anytime
There’s a real sense that Haller is ready to burst onto the scene in a big way in the Premier League and while it’s hard to see a direct line into a starting position given Michail Antonio’s approach suits Moyesy down to the ground, you have to think the long-term ambition has to be to get him involved.
Haller can do it all, and was quite a financial investment when he was brought in.
Given that Carlo Ancelotti has that gorgeous Italian arrogance about him not to remotely care about this competition, the towering striker could be up against a second-string backline, so Haller to Score Anytime is worth backing here.
Carrying over the confidence from the weekend’s action, it seems as though a purple patch isn’t too much of a stretch when describing his recent form, and he could be a key cog in helping the Hammers avoid relegation.
Our double for Wednesday’s EFL Cup games
19:00 Burnley v Man City: Over 4.5 Goals
19:45 Everton v West Ham: Haller to Score Anytime
- We’re running a Paddy Power News special double on the above two matches
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