Carling Cup Quarter Final Matches – Villa are Nice Price at Pompey
The Carling Cup reaches the Quarter Final stages this week and we’ve previewed the games from a betting perspective below.
Tuesday
Aston Villa haven’t won away in their last five league matches and while that might seem to indicate poor overall form away from home that isn’t really the case. Villa have only lost twice away this season and they might not be too bad a price at 11/10 (Coral) to get a win against struggling Portsmouth.
Pompey are still at the foot of the Premier League table and although they have had decent wins in this competition Aston Villa will be by far their toughest yet and even at odds of 5/2 (Skybet) we don’t think we would be tempted to have a bet on them winning the match tonight. Villa manager Martin O’Neil has already said he is desperate for Villa to lift some silverware, so while he might make one or two changes it will be a strong team he will field tonight.
Aston Villa have only lost once in their last five visits to Portsmouth and with a decent record there the away win does look likely. Portsmouth have failed to score in half their league games this season and so taking Villa to win to nil 13/5 (Paddypower) is definitely an option to consider.
We’re predicting a win for Villa and think a 1-0 correct score 7/1 (Ladbrokes) could provide a winning bet.
We’re expecting an open game at Old Trafford where Manchester United take on Spurs. Fergie’s youngsters came unstuck against Besiktas in Europe last week and with a very similar line up likely to start they might find Tottenham too good for them.
Spurs don’t have the best of records away against any of the “Big Four” teams and their record against Manchester United is poor. We believe they might not have a better chance of beating United than they do tonight and so we are selecting them to get a win.
Our prediction is a win for Tottenham 3/1 (Skybet) with a 2-1 scoreline 14/1 (Coral). Jermain Defoe 6/1 (Bet 365) is our first goalscorer selection in this match.
Wednesday
The way Chelsea are playing at the moment it’s hard to see how anyone is going to beat them. Blackburn will be difficult opponents at Ewood Park as they usually are, but no matter what team Chelsea put out here we think they will end up as winners.
Blackburn do have good home record this season with only one loss, but they haven’t won any of their last seven meetings against Chelsea.
This won’t be a runaway victory for Chelsea but we’re taking them to win at 8/15 (Ladbrokes) and we’re tipping a 2-0 scoreline 6/1 (Ladbrokes).
The Arsenal youngsters will have their hands full against Manchester City at Eastland’s but with City the draw kings at the moment betting on the match to be all square after 90 minutes looks to be an option worth considering.
We’re predicting a draw 13/5 (Bet 365) and think betting on there being under 2.5 goals Evens (Paddypower) could see a winning return. Our prediction is a1-1 result 6/1 (Skybet). It could also pay to have a bet on Arsenal to qualify at 13/8 (Ladbrokes).
