Wednesday sees some of the big hitters in the EFL Cup as Arsenal, Manchester City, and Liverpool are all in action and Matthew O’Regan gives his best bets.
Arsenal vs Brighton
Going Greek
Stefan Tzimas 2+ shots – Evens – Virgin Bet/BetMGM – 1 point
Stefan Tzimas 2+ fouls – 11/4 – Bet365 – 1 point
Charlampos Koustoulas 2+ shots – 5/6 – Bet365 – 1 point
Brighton and Arsenal are reunited in the Carabao Cup once more after the Seagulls dumped the Gunners out of the competition with a resounding 1-3 victory in 2022.
Arsenal’s defensive resilience is well documented – they have only conceded three goals in 13 games. The visitors will be looking to bounce back after a disappointing 4-2 loss at Manchester United and go one step closer to a first-ever major trophy.
Both sides are expected to rotate, with key players such as Bukayo Saka, Gabriel, William Saliba and Declan Rice expected to miss out for Arsenal and Tommy Watson, Charlampos Koustoulas and Stefan Tzimas likely to be given a rare start.
Tzimas impressed on debut, scoring a brace off the bench against Oxford United, before an industrious but unsuccessful next start against Barnsley – having two shots and making five fouls. Last season, the 19-year-old had 3.14 shots and 1.41 fouls per 90 for FC Nurnberg.
Koustoulas has been gradually eased in, seeing just 12 league minutes, but the talented teen managed a goal from his two shots against Manchester United. He also had 3.59 shots per 90 in the Greek Super League and 1.95 in the Europa League.
Swansea vs Manchester City
Omar Marmoush To Score – 31/20 – Bet MGM/Virgin Bet – 1 point
Manchester City eased to the last 16 with a 0-2 win over League One Huddersfield Town – a game in which Pep Guardiola fielded a strong team. The Spaniard is expected to do the same on Wednesday night, as well as easing players back from injury.
Omar Marmoush has missed most of this season with injury but should start against Swansea. The Egyptian averaged 0.53 goals per 90 since signing in January from Eintracht Frankfurt, adding to his 0.93 p90 in Bundesliga. Against a poor side in the division below, Marmoush looks value to kick start his season.
Wolves vs Chelsea
Facundo Buonanotte Shot On Target – 5/4 – BetMGM/Virgin Bet – 1 point
The signing of Facundo Buonanotte on loan from Brighton was one that baffled many, but the Argentine has been rewarded with two starts in the Champions League and one in the EFL Cup, so should start tomorrow.
Against Lincoln, Buonanotte recorded two shots on target, registering another one (two with Super Sub) against Benfica. For struggling Leicester, the 20-year-old averaging 0.71 shots on target per 90 and will fancy his chances against a dismal Wolves side.
Liverpool vs Crystal Palace
Both Teams To Score and Over 2.5 Goals – 4/5 – Various – 1.25 points
Chrisantus Uche 2+ Tackles – 2/1 – Bet365 – 1 point
It has been a poor defence of the Premier League title from Liverpool. Arne Slot’s side won their first seven games of the season, but have followed it up with five losses from their next six.
The Reds have struggled in transition and from set pieces defensively, conceding 14 goals this season in nine league games, with these games averaging 3.33 goals. Liverpool gave seen BTTS and over 2.5 goals in 7/9 in the league and 11/14 in all competitions as issues continue to persist.
BetMGM UK
Crystal Palace have only seen BTTS overs land in 4/9 in the league but also saw it in the Community Shield penalty shoot-out triumph over Liverpool. With Liverpool set to rotate heavily, The Eagles will fancy their chances of getting on the scoresheet.
