DOUBLE THE PAIN
The English League Cup is back and while that means appearances by teams like Crawley Town and Colchester, the majority of bettors will be fixated on the bigger matchups of the week. Tuesday features one such encounter, as Manchester City come in as overwhelming home favorites vs. Southampton.
Man City (-1000) have outscored the opposition 24-5 in their previous seven home matches, and that’s a sobering fact for a Southampton side (+2200) that is coming off a humiliating 9-0 loss to Leicester City last weekend. Even worse for the visitors: these teams face off again this weekend in English Premier League play.
LIVERPOOL LOVING LIFE
Liverpool will look to continue their incredible run of success Wednesday as they tangle with visiting Arsenal in League Cup play. The English Premier League leaders (-125) have earned 28 of a possible 30 points so far in league play, and have just one defeat across all competitions since the end of July.
That bodes quite poorly for Arsenal (+300), who have slipped to fifth in the EPL table with just one point earned in their previous two league matches. Liverpool also have a significant edge in the recent head-to-head series, having won both meetings last season by a combined tally of 8-2.
REVENGE ON THEIR MINDS
More than a win in League Cup competition, Chelsea would love to exact their revenge on Manchester United as the teams square off Wednesday at Stamford Bridge. The Blues (-110) came into the 2019-20 EPL campaign full of optimism, but were punched in the mouth in Matchweek 1 as they were handed a humbling 4-0 defeat by host Manchester United (+290).
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More than two months later, Chelsea are riding a four-game domestic winning streak into a Wednesday encounter with a Man United club that has slipped to seventh in the standings with just one win in its previous five league tilts.
SOCCER BETTING TIPS
• While Manchester City have dominated the head-to-head showdown with Southampton, clean sheets have been harder to come by than you might think. Man City have just four shutouts in the last 12 meetings (a modest number given the gulf in talent between the teams), and with the hosts likely to rest some of its stars here, we like both teams to score at least once (+110).
• There has been no stopping Leicester City in recent weeks as they prepare to tangle with League 1 Burton on Tuesday. The visitors come in having won five of their past six matches across all competitions while averaging a whopping 4.2 goals per game over that stretch. Leicester are an intriguing option at +110 to score three or more times Tuesday.
• Looking for a strong Under play in League Cup competition this week? Everton and Watford might be the match to monitor as these English Premier League rivals square off Tuesday at Goodison Park. The teams have played four 1-0 decision in their last six head-to-head meetings, and a mid-week encounter could yield positive results on the U2.5 at -112.
• Liverpool have been an offensive wrecking ball in their most recent meetings with Arsenal, setting the stage for what could be another premier performance Wednesday. Liverpool have scored three or more goals in each of their previous five home games against the Gunners, which makes the O2.5 play here at +200 an interesting one.
• Sometimes, combining two separate trends can yield positive results – and that option is certainly in play for Wednesday’s League Cup showdown between Aston Villa and visiting Wolverhampton. The home team has won three consecutive meetings, while the teams have been level at the half in three of four. The Draw/Aston Villa HT/FT result is installed at +450.
• It might not seem like it after their Aug. 11 encounter, but Manchester United and Chelsea have been strong Under plays of late. The teams have come in Under the 2.5-goal threshold in three of their previous five meetings across all competitions – and with the Blues having allowed just nine goals in 12 games since that Week 1 rout, we like the U2.5 here at -106.
TEAM NEWS
• Granit Xhaka will not feature for Arsenal in this week’s League Cup tilt with Liverpool – and that might be the least of his concerns. Xhaka is facing scorn from fans after reacting derisively following his removal from last weekend’s 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace, and there are rumors he might be finished with the Gunners. Arsenal are +162 to finish top-4 in the EPL this season.
• Inter Milan are reportedly considering a move for Manchester United midfielder Nemanja Matic during the January transfer window. Inter manager Antonio Conte previously had Matic in the fold when the two were together at Chelsea. Matic has made just five appearances for Man United this season. Inter are the No. 2 favorites at +400 to win the Italian League title.
