Previews

Tuesday's Carling Cup action

Author: Sir David Smith
Date: 21/09/2009
Football betting

After two rounds which have flown under the radar, the Carling Cup is back this week with all of the big-guns in action for the first time.

The third round of the competition is when the Premier League teams involved in European action enter the fray.

On Tuesday that sees Champions League contenders Arsenal and Liverpool make their first League Cup appearances of the season - and both have been handed tasty draws.

Arsenal are at home to West Bromwich Albion while Liverpool face a tricky trip to Leeds United.

The Gunners have been installed as third favourites in the online betting markets but must first overcome a recently-relegated Premier League club.

Is this finally Arsenal's year for silverware? - Latest Football Betting

The Baggies were a top-flight side last year and have started the new campaign looking every inch the pre-season promotion favourites.

Under a new manager in Roberto Di Matteo, they have taken 20 points from the first 24 on offer and are at the top of the fledgling Championship table.

That could lead to Arsene Wenger slightly rethinking his policy of resting his entire first-team pool for the competition and replacing them with promising players from the youth ranks.

Wenger's youngsters could only reach the fifth round last season before falling to then Championship outfit Burnley, so expect a slightly stronger line-up this time around.

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez may feel he has the luxury of being able to field a second-string side as the Reds take on League One opposition.

However, Leeds will definitely be up for taking on the Premier League heavyweights in front of what will be a bumper crowd at Elland Road.

The long-suffering Leeds fans would like nothing better than to take a major scalp as they continue to flounder in the Football League and a white-hot atmosphere guarantees that Liverpool won't be given an inch.

Elsewhere, Sunderland meet Birmingham City in a tie which was a Premier League fixture last season.

It's on home soil for the Wearsiders, but it still offers manager Steve Bruce a meeting against one of his former clubs which will add spice.

Bolton Wanderers host West Ham United in the evening's only all-Premier League encounter.

Burnley and Blackburn have been handed difficult trips to Championship clubs with the Clarets taking on Barnsley and Rovers at Nottingham Forest.

For Burnley it will mark an interesting return to a competition where they - as the Championship underdog - took the scalps of Chelsea and Arsenal last season.

Stoke host Blackpool, Peterborough take on Championship high-flyers Newcastle and Scunthorpe and Port Vale will lock horns.

But perhaps the biggest shock of the night could come at Brunton Park where League One side Carlisle United host a struggling Portsmouth of the Premier League.

In the League Cup, stranger things have happened.

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