The EFL Cup takes centre stage this week as the competition reaches the quarter-final stage just before Christmas.
Tuesday’s tie sees high-flying Arsenal welcome League One’s Sunderland to the Emirates Stadium, while the remaining three games take place on Wednesday.
Liverpool and Leicester will clash at Anfield, Brentford entertain Chelsea, while there’s another London battle on the cards as Tottenham prepare to host West Ham.
Arteta’s Men to Keep Sunderland at Bay
Arsenal have managed to turn their season around and, despite their slow start, they are now fourth in the Premier League.
Three successive victories for the Gunners have lifted the mood in the dressing room, and they should have too much quality for the Black Cats, who are third in League One.
Arteta looks to be getting the best out of his team of late, and the players on the fringes of his squad will get the chance to impress at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday.
One of those is striker Eddie Nketiah, who is likely to start up front. The youngster, who is potentially on the lookout for a new club having failed to break into the first team, has an excellent record in the competition, scoring seven goals in eight EFL Cup appearances.
He is 5/6 to score anytime, while punters can back him to score first at 14/5.
Can the Bees Spring an EFL Cup Surprise?
Just days after trying to cancel their Premier League meeting with Wolves, Chelsea face Brentford at the Brentford Community Stadium.
Thomas Tuchel has several players unavailable due to positive Covid-19 cases, and the Blues have started to struggle.
Chelsea have only won one of their last five games in all competitions, and three draws suggest they are struggling for consistency in the final third.
The majority of football fans will not expect Brentford to win, but with no pressure on their shoulders, they look a reasonable price at 17/4.
Improving Spurs to Push Past West Ham
Antonio Conte looks to be getting the best out of Tottenham, and they are now unbeaten in three matches.
They were dumped out of the Europa Conference League by default on Monday, but that should only aid their cause this season.
The EFL Cup provides them with a realistic chance of a trophy, and they appear to be playing West Ham at the perfect time.
The Hammers are without a win in three, and have failed to score during that time. Spurs’ recent break due to a Covid-19 outbreak looks to have freshened up their squad, and at 5/4, they look a good bet to win.
Expected Changes to Spoil Anfield Affair
Both Liverpool and Leicester City are expected to name weakened XI’s this week, with the threat of coronavirus hanging over both clubs.
Leicester’s squad have enjoyed a 10-day break, but Liverpool are in the middle of a run that sees them play four games in ten days.
With so much uncertainty surrounding the match, it looks tough to call but under 2.5 goals at 11/10 appeals in a game where motivation could be lacking.
*All odds correct at time of writing
