EFL Cup First Round Tips: Boro and Wigan can advance

The EFL Cup returns for the 2023/24 campaign this week, with all 72 clubs from the Championship, League One and League Two entering in the first round. Here is our preview of some selected matches from across Tuesday and Wednesday.

 
Huddersfield Town vs Middlesbrough

Kick off: Tuesday 7pm

Middlesbrough lost their opening game of the Championship season at the weekend, going down 1-0 to Millwall. That was a disappointing result from which Michael Carrick’s side will be looking to bounce back on Tuesday.

Huddersfield also got their campaign off to a losing start, suffering a 3-1 defeat by Plymouth Argyle. Boro are among the favourites for promotion from the second tier and they could prove too strong for the Terriers here.

Recommended bet: Middlesbrough to win at 2.26

Millwall vs Reading

Kick off: Tuesday 7.45pm

Millwall suffered play-off heartache last term, dropping out of the top six on the final day. That victory over Boro will have lifted spirits at The Den ahead of the visit of Reading in midweek.

Millwall’s squad is not the deepest, though, and Gary Rowett may be tempted to name a second-string side here. That could allow Reading to at least be level at the interval.

Recommended bet: Draw at half-time at 2.24

Stoke City vs West Bromwich Albion

Kick off: Tuesday 7.45pm

Stoke are one of the early pace-setters in the Championship after a 4-1 thumping of Rotherham United on Saturday. Andre Vidigal was the two-goal hero in that match, but his fellow winger Jacob Brown also got on the scoresheet late on.

That was just reward for the Scot’s excellent all-round display. If Alex Neil sticks with Brown for this clash with West Brom, he looks like a good bet to find the net again.

Recommended bet: Jacob Brown to score any time at 3.75

Wrexham vs Wigan Athletic

Kick off: Tuesday 8pm, Sky Sports Main Event

Wrexham were given a wake-up call on Saturday as they marked their return to the Football League with a 5-3 home loss to MK Dons. This will be another tough game against a Wigan side that put off-field turmoil to one side to beat Derby County 2-1 last time out.

Wigan were three divisions above Wrexham last season, so it is hard to overlook the remarkably lengthy odds available on an away win in this one.

Recommended bet: Wigan to win at 4.1

Leeds United vs Shrewsbury Town

Kick off: Wednesday 7.45pm

Leeds are back in the Championship after a three-season absence and securing an instant return to the top flight will be their priority this term. At the same time, Daniel Farke is likely to take the EFL Cup seriously as he looks to build momentum at Elland Road.

This should be a relatively straightforward assignment against League One Shrewsbury, who kicked off 2023/24 with a 1-0 defeat of Cheltenham Town on Saturday.

Recommended bet: Leeds -1.5 handicap at 1.92

Burton Albion vs Leicester City

Kick off: Wednesday 8pm, Sky Sports Main Event

An East Midlands derby pits League One Burton against Championship Leicester in this televised fixture. The Foxes have such strength in depth that they were able to start with Patson Daka and Kelechi Iheanacho on the bench for the 2-1 victory over Coventry City on Sunday.

Both of those attackers are likely to come into the XI here, with Daka poised to start in the more advanced role.

Recommended bet: Patson Daka to score any time at 2.3

Recommended Bets:

Huddersfield vs Middlesbrough: Middlesbrough to win at 2.26
Millwall vs Reading: Draw at half-time at 2.24
Stoke vs West Brom: Jacob Brown to score any time at 3.75
Wrexham vs Wigan: Wigan to win at 4.1
Leeds vs Shrewsbury: Leeds -1.5 handicap at 1.92
Burton vs Leicester: Patson Daka to score any time at 2.3