We are getting down to the real meat and bones of the League Cup now as the final four teams left standing battle it out. Reigning champions Manchester United have already fallen by the wayside so who will be crowned champions this year? Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City are the outright favourites at 7/10 with bookmaker Coral to lift aloft the Cup at Wembley. The semi-finals of the EFL Cup are played over two legs, the first of which are being played on Tuesday and Wednesday this week.
Manchester City v Bristol City
What an occasion for the Robins this will be. The Championship side have had a tremendous run in the EFL Cup this season, having already taken down four Premier League sides. They have gotten rid of Stoke, Watford, Crystal Palace and then came their biggest moment of all, when a late strike from Korey Smith gave them a dramatic win over holders Manchester United at Ashton Gate. It has been a stunning run from them, but they are 25/1 underdogs to win the first leg at the Etihad.
Carabao Cup – Manchester City v Bristol City (1st Leg) – Etihad Stadium – Tuesday 9th January 2018 – Kick-off: 19:45 GMT
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Draw Best Odd of: 10 at Unibet |
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Manchester City
Bristol RoversThe problem for Bristol City is that they are a positive side and like to get forward and against the Citizens that is probably going to spell trouble for them. Also, the Championship side has just fallen out of form a bit as well, with back to back league defeats and then an FA Cup loss at Watford on the weekend heading into this. Maybe part of that is being distracted by this time, however, it is unlikely that they are going to stick in there and do enough to have something to fight for in the second leg at home. A Manchester City 3-0 correct score is appealing at 11/2.
Chelsea v Arsenal
This is a humdinger of a semi-final showdown. The two recently met in the Premier League in what was a great contest which ended in a 2-2 draw at the Emirates. Arsenal threw away their FA Cup title defence in a loss at Nottingham Forest on the weekend so all they have to play for on the domestic front now is the EFL Cup. That could make them a little bit dangerous going into the semi-final, however, their away form, by their standards is pretty dismal this season and Chelsea are ticking along well on home soil.
Carabao Cup – Chelsea vs Arsenal (1st Leg) – Stamford Bridge – Wednesday 10th January 2018 – 20:00 UK Time
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Draw Best Odd of: 11/4 at Skybet |
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Chelsea
ArsenalThe Blues were frustrated in an abysmal game at Norwich in the FA Cup on Saturday, the Blues getting held to a 0-0 draw, which means an annoying replay for them to have to deal with. They will be stronger though for this one and of the two sides at the moment, they are more together, a more confident and cohesive side than Arsenal are. Chelsea are 4/5 odds-on favourites at William Hill to land the victory in the match and it’s worth backing them as they are unbeaten in six against the Gunners at Stamford Bridge. There have been three drawn matches already between this season (two league games and the Community Shield) so expect this to be tight, but the Blues can just edge it.