The Carling Cup starts this evening, and where games go ahead, there could be some value in following the lower league sides against their more accomplished rivals.
The draw is split geographically these days, and also seeded. This means that in many cases, ties involve League 2 sides against fairly local sides from higher divisions. The fixtures clash however, with an International week, and with the usual spate of injuries, many of the Championship teams will field sides unrecognisable from last Saturday's league curtain raisers.
Four teams that look especially good value tonight are Shrewsbury, Northampton, Bradford and Crewe. Respectively, they travel to Derby, Ipswich, Bradford and Preston.
Shrewsbury had a decent opening win on Saturday against promotion fancies Oxford, and have a decent record of knocking out teams from a higher level in this tournament, including Charlton last season. Derby have several injury worries and a number of players on International duty and 5.8 on Betfair looks a viable price on the Shrews.
Northampton go to Ipswich, who again have to make several changes. Northampton have happy memories of this tournament, getting to the 4th round last season in a run that saw them gain a famous win at Anfield. 7.2 on Betfair again looks a fair price for an away win here.
Bradford have a local derby against rivals Leeds. Like Shrewsbury and Northampton their chances will be helped by the changes their hosts will have to make from Saturday. Leeds seem to have the most injury worries, especially in defence, and again have players on International duty. Bradford didnt have the best of starts on Saturday but they will be roared on by a massive following, and 8.8 looks very big for an upset.
Crewe is a slightly different kettle of fish, as Preston are now in League 1 and they dont have as many International call ups as the other sides. Preston lost 4-2 at home to Colchester in their opener, but Crewe were also disappointing, losing 3-0 to Swindon, but Crewe have a decent record of upsets in this competition and another one here would be no surprise with the pressure for league results off.
Recommendations (all Betfair)
Derby County v SHREWSBURY TOWN @ 5.7
Ipswich v NORTHAMPTON @ 7.2
Leeds v BRADFORD @ 8.8
Preston v CREWE @ 5.5
No comments:
Post a Comment