Carabao Cup Third Round Betting Tips: Brighton, Bradford and Aston Villa to win

The Carabao Cup is back and now we are in the third round the clubs who find themselves in European action this season enter the competition. Here are tips for five of the games in this round.

Bradford vs Middlesbrough

Kick-off: Tuesday, 19:45

Middlesbrough’s trip to Valley Parade looks like a real banana skin. 

Micheal Carrick’s side have enjoyed a subpar start to the campaign, two draws, three wins and five defeats. Boro are unbeaten in their last two but context is important, they drew at Hillsborough and beat Southampton, the latter look really vulnerable defensively. 

As far as upsets go, siding with Bradford ticks all the boxes. The Bantams have history in this competition, they are a tasty price and, most importantly, they welcomed talisman Andy Cook back at the weekend. 

Cook scored three in their victory and with Mark Hughes under pressure, the manager should field a strong XI here. 

Prediction: Bradford to qualify at 3

Exeter vs Luton 

Kick-off: Tuesday, 19:45

Securing their Premier League status will undoubtedly be the priority of Rob Edwards this campaign. His Luton side have struggled domestically, winning just a single point, which should see the Hatters rotate here with one eye on Saturday’s six pointer at Goodison. 

Cauley Woodrow started in the last round for Luton and scored, a fear I fancy him to repeat on Tuesday. 

The frontman has only played 35 minutes domestically this campaign. He is regarded as one of the best finishes at the club and with limited gametime this fixture provides a welcome opportunity to prove that. 

Prediction: Cauley Woodrow to score anytime 2.9

Aston Villa vs Everton 

Kick-off: Wednesday, 19:45

This fixture has already taken place at Villa Park in the Premier League this campaign, Aston Villa thumped Everton 4-0 in August. Since then, an 8-0 aggregate victory over Hibernian, 3-1 wins over Crystal Palace and Burnley only cement Unai Emery’s side's reputation as flat track bullies. 

Everton edged past Doncaster Rovers, in the fourth tier, in the last round. Sean Dyche needed to pull out all the stocks as well, the Toffees trailed for large parts of the game and were forced to field the big hitters at half time. 

With a huge fixture against Luton on the horizon, this match will not be a priority of Dyche’s here. 

Prediction: Aston Villa to win at 1.74

Chelsea vs Brighton 

Kick-off: Wednesday, 19:45

Chelsea lost to Villa on Sunday, meaning they have only won one league game this season which came against ante-post favourites for the drop Luton Town. 

The Blues also failed to score in their third consecutive game. Apparently, Dominos have delivered 852,609 pizzas since Chelsea last scored a goal.

In the last round of this competition, Mauricio Pochettino’s side went a goal behind against League Two Wimbledon. Chelsea managed to come from behind to win 2-1, but it is difficult to see them being as fortunate here against much stronger opposition. 

Brighton came from a goal behind on Sunday to beat Bournemouth, extending their top flight unbeaten run to three games, and their price to win at Stamford Bridge looks big.  

Prediction: Brighton to beat Chelsea at 2.92

Liverpool vs Leicester

Kick-off: Wednesday, 19:45

Jurgen Klopp relished the victory over West Ham at the weekend. The German supremo lapped up Anfield’s praise at full time and seemed somewhat relieved post match that his side had come through Thursday’s European commitments and Sunday’s domestic duties unscathed. 

That victory was the fourth time the Reds have put three past their opposition. Against the high line of Leicester, the hosts could have a field day on Wednesday. 

Prediction: Liverpool to score over 2.5 goals at 2.36

Recommended Bets

Back Bradford to qualify against Middlesbrough @ 3
Back Cauley Woodrow to score anytime @ 2.9
Back Aston Villa to beat Everton @ 1.74
Back Brighton to beat Chelsea @ 2.92
Back Liverpool to score over 2.5 goals against Leicester @ 2.36