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Big guns enter Carling Cup

Author: Brandon Barker
Date: 22/09/2009
Football betting

Manchester United, Chelsea, Everton and Fulham all join the Carling Cup party on Wednesday night as their focus shifts from their European aspirations to domestic silverware.

Holders United have been drawn at home against fellow Premier League opposition in Wolves.

Sir Alex Ferguson's side won last season's final on penalties as the veteran manager decided to only slightly weaken his line-up throughout a competition which still ranks at the bottom of his priorities.

He is therefore likely to stick with the same policy of sending out a mix of youth and experience when Wolves visit Old Trafford, but the Red Devils are still much fancied by the sportsbooks.

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Chelsea are involved in a London derby with QPR, but the online betting favourites are expected to sweep the Championship outfit aside with little drama.

New manager Carlo Ancelotti is expected to win trophies and the Italian will see the League Cup as the first potential piece of silverware that he can deliver to expectant owner Roman Abramovich.

Last season's defeat at Championship side Burnley hardly endeared former boss Luiz Felipe Scolari to the Russian as he was sacked just four months later.

One manager who is guaranteed to send out his strongest possible starting XI is Mark Hughes when his Manchester City side entertain Fulham.

Hughes signaled his intention to take the Carling Cup seriously after playing the likes of Robinho, Emmanuel Adebayor, Carlos Tevez, Gareth Barry and Kolo Toure in last month's second round victory over Crystal Palace.

Like Chelsea and Ancelotti, Hughes has demanding bosses and they too are desperate to get their hands on whatever silverware he can deliver.

Expect another first-choice line-up from City against a Fulham side that may not be entirely focused on the League Cup due to their participation in European competition for the first time in their history.

Fellow Europa League competitors Everton make the trip to Hull City for an all-Premier League encounter which both sides will be desperate to win.

Everton are languishing in the bottom half of the league table following a slow start to the new campaign, while the pressure is beginning to mount on Tigers boss Phil Brown as last season's late dip in form shows no sign of improving.

Last year's beaten finalists Tottenham Hotspur have been drawn away from home at Preston North End.

It's a similar story for Aston Villa who have the luxury of a home tie but one that is also against Championship opposition in Cardiff City.

Premier League wins are expected in both ties, but both Preston and Cardiff are among the most fancied sides to win promotion from the second tier.

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