EFL Cup Betting Tips: Who is going through to the quarter-finals?

The last 16 of the EFL Cup is here with teams fighting to get to the quarter-final stage. Matthew O’Regan has his five best bets for the selected games. 

Southampton vs Stoke 

Tuesday 29 October 
Live On Sky Sports +
Kick Off: 19:45

Two of the eight games will take place on Tuesday. Championship side Stoke travel to the South Coast to face Premier League side Southampton in the first of the two.

Southampton have struggled on their return to the Premier League, with their only point from nine games coming at home to fellow promoted side Ipswich Town. Russell Martin has not budged from his possession style of play, leading to some critics lambasting his lack of tactical versatility. 

On Tuesday, he will be pitted against rookie manager Narcis Pelach who was appointed Stoke manager in September. The 36-year-old has the Potters playing entertaining football, so expect them to play on the front foot as they look to shock their Premier League opposition. 

One player who has shone is Andrew Moran. The Irish prodigy began his Stoke career playing just off the striker but has since moved deeper. 

However, this has not affected his shot volume, with the 21-year-old averaging 1.34 shots and 0.67 shots on target per 90. Moran should also be on set pieces, so presents good value for a shot on target against a feeble Southampton defence. 

Prediction: Andy Moran over 0.5 shots on target @ 3.70

Brentford vs Sheffield Wednesday

Tuesday 29 October
Live On Sky Sports Main Event
Kick Off: 20:00

Tuesday’s live television clash sees Brentford host Sheffield Wednesday at the Gtech Community Stadium. 

Thomas Frank’s side have had a stellar start to the Premier League season and currently sit ninth after a dramatic 4-3 win over Ipswich Town. In the previous round, The Bees rotated heavily, with a host of fringe players given an opportunity to impress. 

One such player was Fabio Carvalho who was signed from Liverpool. The 22-year-old impressed in the 3-1 victory over Leyton Orient, registering two assists and a goal. Since then, he has scored once and assisted once in 210 Premier League minutes. 

Playing in a front three against a side languishing in the bottom half of the league below, Carvalho will fancy his chances of yet another goal contribution. 

Prediction: Fabio Carvalho to Score or Assist @ 1.78

Brighton vs Liverpool

Wednesday 30 October
Live On Sky Sports+
Kick Off: 19:30

Brighton and Liverpool cross paths twice in one week, with Brighton hosting the Reds in the cup on Wednesday, before making the trip to Anfield on Saturday in the Premier League. 

Fabian Hurzeler has started brightly in his tenure at the AMEX, losing just once in all competitions, including beating Tottenham, Newcastle and Manchester United and drawing away at Arsenal. 

At an expectant AMEX on Wednesday, the Seagulls will be looking to progress to the quarter finals on their quest to win their first ever major trophy. 

A summer spending spree saw Tony Bloom add an array of new talent to his Brighton squad, meaning they are blessed with strong depth . 

Julio Enciso is one player who will benefit from this cup run. The Paraguayan has yet to start a league game this season, having played just 84 minutes over seven appearances. 

However, he has started both cup games and looked lively in both. In the routine 4-0 win over Crawley, Enciso had seven shots with Joseph Wollacott making a smart save to stop Enciso from adding to the goal tally. While Enciso didn’t get a shot on target against Wolves, he went close with two long-range efforts.

Despite less than 90 minutes in the Premier League, the 20-year-old has had five shots, with three being on target. Last season, Enciso averaged 5.32 shots and 1.52 shots on target per 90 in the Premier League.

In a Liverpool backline that should see Van Dijk and Alexander-Arnold rested, Enciso will look to impress Hurzeler and break into the Premier League starting eleven.

Prediction: Julio Enciso Over 0.5 Shots On Target @ 1.83

Newcastle vs Chelsea

Wednesday 30 October
Live On Sky Sports+
Kick Off: 19:45

After playing at Stamford Bridge in the league on Sunday, Chelsea and Newcastle renew acquaintances at St James’ Park in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday. 

Last season, Newcastle crashed out of the Champions League after finishing bottom of the group of death containing AC Milan, PSG and Borussia Dortmund. They also finished seventh which meant they missed out on European football. 

A lacklustre start to the Premier League season has put extra priority on cup competitions if Newcastle are to play European football next season. The sluggish start to the season stems from a disappointing transfer window in which no major signings were made and young talent Elliot Anderson and Yankuba Minteh were sold.  

This has left the Toon Army’s squad depth in dire straits, with Eddie Howe struggling to affect games with his substitutions due to the lack of options. 

As such, not much rotation is expected on Wednesday, but academy graduate Sean Longstaff will start in an attempt to freshen up a tiring midfield. 

The 26-year-old has started four Premier League games this season and is averaging 0.55 yellow cards per 90. He was also booked in his only previous EFL Cup start, making three fouls in the 1-0 home win over AFC Wimbledon.

Much was made of Chelsea’s chaotic squad building, with Enzo Maresca supposedly working with two different squads – one for the cups and one for the league. With the next two league games coming against Manchester United and Arsenal, this should be the case for Wednesday night. 

Renato Veiga has impressed since his shock move from Swiss side Basel. The 21-year-old has been lining up at full-back, starting in cup wins over Panathinaikos, Gent and Barrow, as well as the Premier League win at Bournemouth. 

In 165 minutes of Premier League football, Veiga has made three fouls and been booked twice. He also escaped a yellow despite four fouls in the 5-0 drubbing of Barrow, as well as being shown a yellow in the qualifying game at Servette. Indiscipline is nothing new for the Portuguese international, averaging 0.35 cards per 90 at Basel last season.  

Prediction: Renato Veiga and Sean Longstaff to be carded @ 10.00

Tottenham vs Manchester City

Wednesday 30 October
Live On Sky Sports Main Event
Kick Off: 20:15

Wednesday’s main event sees Tottenham Hotspur host Manchester City with rotation expected from both sides. 

After his £53 million move from Wolves, Matheus Nunes has failed to make an impact at Manchester City. However, in 111 minutes of Premier League football, Nunes has registered two assists, taking 11 minutes off the bench to assist Erling Haaland’s hat trick goal away at West Ham, also assisting the Norwegian after just five minutes in his only Premier League start this season. 

Nunes also started in the 5-0 drubbing over Sparta Prague, getting two assists and a goal, as well as scoring in the 2-1 win over Watford. The 26-year-old should be afforded more attacking freedom on Wednesday, so looks value to register another goal contribution. 

Prediction: Matheus Nunes To Score or Assist @ 3.50

Recommended Bets: 

Back Andy Moran to have a shot on target in Southampton vs Stoke @ 3.70
Back Fabio Carvalho to score or assist in Brentford vs Sheffield Wednesday @ 1.78
Back Julio Enciso over 0.5 Shots On Target in Brighton vs Liverpool @ 1.83
Back Renato Veiga and Sean Longstaff to be carded in Newcastle vs Chelsea @ 10.00 
Back Matheus Nunes to Score or Assist in Tottenham vs Manchester City @ 3.50