ALEX CROOK PREVIEW: EFL Cup Midweek

Star Sports ambassador ALEX CROOK previews the midweek EFL Cup action, which includes games involving Brentford, Arsenal and Tottenham…

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WREXHAM V CARDIFF

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You have to go back more than a decade for the last Welsh derby between these two and absence definitely has not made the heart grow fonder.

There is guaranteed to be an intense atmosphere at a sold-out Racecourse Ground on Tuesday for one of the more eye-catching last 16 ties.

The two rivals swapped divisions last season and Cardiff come into the game riding high in second place in League One with their hosts 16th in the Championship.

Phil Parkinson’s side were ten minutes way from beating promotion-chasing Middlesbrough on Saturday so much will depend on how big a mark that game has left physically.

The Red Dragons have had no issue scoring goals this season, but keeping them out at the other end has been a problem, conceding in all but three of their 15 league games.

Cardiff also struggle for clean sheets so I am expecting plenty of goalmouth action. Both teams to score at 3/4 with starsports.bet is my idea of a best bet this mid-week.

GRIMSBY v BRENTFORD

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Grimsby have already made waves in this season’s EFL Cup by dumping out Manchester United in round two.

The League Two Mariners will be out to produce another shock when they host Premier League Brentford on Tuesday.

The Bees are in fine form, winning three of their last five games including Saturday’s incident-packed 3-2 defeat of champions Liverpool at the Gtech.

Even with a place in the quarter finals within their grasp, I would expect Brentford manager Keith Andrews to rest some of his big-guns.

That could open the way for Fabio Carvalho to make a rare start and the ex-Liverpool man was among the scorers as Brentford won 2-0 at Bournemouth in round two.

My build-a-bet for this game is Brentford to win, over 3.5 goals and Carvalho to score at any time which returns more than 4/1 with starsports.bet.

ARSENAL v BRIGHTON

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In-form Arsenal will be hoping lightning doesn’t strike twice when they host Brighton on Wednesday in an all-Premier League affair.

The Gunners lost 3-1 at home to the Seagulls in the third round last season, but their home form this season in all competitions has been pretty much imperious.

Inconsistency has been Brighton’s main issue in the early weeks of the campaign as they are yet to put back-to-back victories on the board.

They have racked up a couple of big wins in this competition, albeit against lower league defences in Oxford and Barnsley, who they thrashed 6-0 in the previous round.

Better squad depth has been one of the keys to Arsenal’s success so far their term, so even with Mikel Arteta liking to rotate heavily they will still put out a good side.

Brighton counterpart Fabian Hurzeler should be going all out to reach the last eight by naming his best possible team as the Seagulls have never won a major trophy.

If he does then Brighton to qualify at 13/5 with starsports.bet may be a touch over-priced.

NEWCASTLE v TOTTENHAM

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After ending their 56-year wait for a trophy by winning this cup last season, holders Newcastle face Tottenham at St James Park on Wednesday in arguably the tie of the round.

Both managers are expected to ring the changes as this clash comes at a very busy time of the season, which makes it a tricky contest to call.

The Magpies picked up a much-needed, if nervy, three points at home to Fulham on Saturday

Having also beaten Benfica in the Champions League last mid-week, Eddie Howe will be hoping his side are starting to build up some momentum.

Their home form has been largely solid with four victories in their last five matches in front of the vociferous Toon Army.

Tottenham also collected an important win at the weekend by beating Everton 3-0 to preserve their record as the Premier League’s only unbeaten side away from home.

They proved in the 0-0 Champions League draw in Monaco last week that they are capable of grounding out a result even when not at their best.

It would not surprise me if this game ended all-square after 90 minutes and Spurs have already lost one penalty shootout this season against PSG in the European Super Cup so Newcastle to win on spot-kicks at 6/1 with starsports.bet is well worth a second look.