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Barnsley target Cup shock

Author: Brandon Barker
Date: 27/10/2009
Football betting

The Carling Cup has reached the last 16 stage and holders Manchester United face a tricky clash against Barnsley at Oakwell on Tuesday evening in arguably the pick of the night's ties.

New Tykes boss Mark Robins will look forward to the clash as much as anyone after playing for the Red Devils in the 80s and 90s under current United supremo Sir Alex Ferguson.

It is widely believed that Robins' goal against Nottingham Forest in a FA Cup tie back in 1990 saved Ferguson his job at Old Trafford.

He then went on to score the winner in the semi-final replay against Oldham Athletic as Fergie went on to win his first trophy at the club and it will interesting to see if the wily Scot rests some of his key players ahead of further Champions League and important Premier League fixtures.

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Sportsbook second favourites United stuttered to a 1-0 win against Wolverhampton Wanderers in the last round and Federico Macheda, Danny Welbeck and Darron Gibson could be pushing for starts.

Although Robins' main task is to ensure Championship survival this term, the glamour tie will be an appealing distraction from their league campaign.

Harry Redknapp's Tottenham Hotspur, who lost in last season's final, face Everton at White Hart Lane.

The two Premier League sides should look to improve in this competition and they will see it as an opportunity to get some silverware in the trophy cabinet.

Spurs beat Chelsea 2-1 in the 2007-08 final and after losing on penalties to Manchester United in last terms showpiece, they should be confident of reaching the quarter finals at the very least.

David Moyes' men will be playing their third game in six days and they could rest a few of their first team stars especially after their gruelling 5-0 massacre against Benfica in Portugal during their UEFA Europa League clash on Thursday gone.

Sunderland face Aston Villa and again, this should be a game that both teams should take seriously if they have any European qualification aspirations.

With Darren Bent and Kenwyne Jones leading the Black Cats frontline and Gabriel Agbonlahor being supplied by James Milner and Ashley Young for the Villains, the contest could prove to be explosive.

Struggling Portsmouth have a home tie against Stoke City to look forward to as Paul Hart looks to inject some life into his beleaguered troops.

A 3-1 success against Carlisle United in the last round should be used as their inspiration to try and grab a result against Tony Pulis' men.

The final fixture on Tuesday evening sees Blackburn Rovers host Championship strugglers Peterborough United.

Sam Allardyce's men should progress to the quarter-final stage but with Darren Ferguson managing the Posh, he will strive to get through in the hope to face his father's Manchester United outfit in a later round.

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