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Charlie Nicholas provides us with his latest round of predictions as the EFL Cup reaches the final-16 stage.
The draw has thrown up a host of mouth-watering games, none less so than Liverpool versus Tottenham on Tuesday night and a Manchester derby on Wednesday, live on Sky Sports 1 HD from 7pm and 7.30pm respectively.
There is also a London derby between West Ham and Chelsea, plus six Sky Bet Championship sides looking to take a step closer to Wembley.
Here is who Charlie is backing in his Sky Bet tips…
You know what, I know we’re all excited about the Manchester derby because of all that’s going on there, but this is the best footballing game for me.
There will be a few changes and Spurs will probably switch their full-backs as usual, Vincent Janssen should come back in for another chance and Kevin Wimmer could get a game, although it will take him a bit of time to get up to speed.
I’ll be interested to see what team Jurgen Klopp goes for. Daniel Sturridge and Divock Origi need a game but will he jeopardise the system to incorporate them?
Spurs are well drilled and Liverpool can be frustrated, as we’ve seen in recent games, failing to break down Manchester United then falling over the line at the weekend against West Brom after we got very excited about them.
I’m finding this a tough one to call and it could go either way, but I’m going for Liverpool on home advantage.
Charlie predicts: 2-1 and Adam Lallana to score first (30/1 with Sky Bet)
Both sides need a win. Jose Mourinho might be looking at this knowing he needs it to buy himself some time.
It’s turning into a really awkward moment, to an extent which Mourinho has probably never come across. He’s got a pretty average team which don’t play the way he likes; Eric Bailly injured, Wayne Rooney out of sorts because he’s tried to fit the France international in his position and Zlatan Ibrahimovic looking more and more frustrated.
As for City, Kelechi Iheanacho can come in after scoring again. They are playing well, of course they are, but they’re making so many mistakes that we have to focus on the problems.
I think United will get physical and I think we’ll see quite a few bookings. There’s no way those players can’t be angry after the weekend, especially coming up against a team who have also ripped them apart.
Charlie predicts: 3-1 and Nolito to score first (115/1 with Sky Bet)
Arsenal have got the strongest squad in Premier League. The sort of players who come in here are experienced and should be ready to step up for the first team and seize on a disappointing result at the weekend.
Olivier Giroud will probably get a run out and you’ve also got Lucas Perez, Kieran Gibbs, David Ospina, Rob Holding and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who is looking more influential.
There’s a few I’d like to see get a chance. One is the boy Jeff Reine-Adelaide, who I’ve only seen glimpses of but looks like he could be the next Alex Iwobi, and Mohamed Elneny is another one.
Reading are still learning under Jaap Stam and I see no excuses for the Gunners, who will still have plenty of experience, so I’m expecting those who disappointed at the weekend to be pushed for their places in a comfortable win.
Charlie predicts: 3-1 and Giroud to score first (20/1 with Sky Bet)
This is a dangerous one for Hull because I do think that Bristol City, with Tammy Abraham in particular, will be looking forward to the chance to take a Premier League side out.
They create a lot of scoring opportunities in the knowledge that this kid from Chelsea is a real finisher.
I’m not sure Hull can make many changes other than resting Michael Dawson again after his first game back and I don’t really see much creativity in them, so it will be a struggle for them.
Charlie predicts: Bristol City to win in extra-time (6/5 with Sky Bet)
Leeds are starting to pick up under Garry Monk and they’ll be hoping to have a good crowd at Elland Road with the opportunity they’ve got, having struggled to do much in this competition for a good few years.
Norwich have got more quality, there’s no doubt about that, and the likes of Robbie Brady and Steven Naismith should really be excelling at this level.
I just feel like it’s starting to grow for Leeds and there’s something about Chris Wood and the way he troubles defences that makes me think they can keep the run going.
Charlie predicts: 2-1 and Chris Wood to score first (25/1 with Sky Bet)
Newcastle are going well again now with Rafael Benitez getting some graft from his team to go with the quality.
If you’re a club of this stature then why would you not consider having a go at this competition? I know there’s a lot of games to get through, but when you get to this stage against significant underdogs then it’s a chance to give something back to the fans that have kept faith.
Jonjo Shelvey seems to have his swagger back and Dwight Gayle is scoring plenty of goals, so I’d make these along with Arsenal my home bankers.
I was speaking to Gerry Francis, who I’ve always had great respect for, and he surprised me by saying Gayle is one of the best finishers he’s worked with, which is saying something given he has worked with the likes of Teddy Sheringham and Les Ferdinand.
I’ve been complimentary of Claude Puel because he’s seen that his centre-backs are good enough not to play in a back three and allowed other players to push on.
Charlie Austin has made the forward position his own with Dusan Tadic and Nathan Redmond free to go forward as Oriol Romeu and Steven Davis have the quality and economy to protect the back four.
They were really unfortunate to lose at Arsenal at the start of last month and I think the penny dropped that they are good enough to be a successful side.
This is a tough one for Sunderland, with Arsenal to come at the weekend, and I can’t see anything but a comfortable home win.
Charlie predicts: 3-0 and Tadic to score first (28/1 with Sky Bet)
This is another really decent game. It’s been two 1-0 wins for West Ham with Winston Reid back in team, making the difference at both ends.
If you think there’s a poor atmosphere at the London Stadium then this will test it because these Chelsea fans will make it a feisty one. This is another game, like the Manchester derby, which is going to lack discipline.
Antonio Conte will make changes but, with the likes of Cesc Fabregas, John Terry and Willian potentially coming in, it won’t be a weak Chelsea side.
Neither side will want to give up an inch and I can see this going all the way, with West Ham winning on penalties.
Charlie predicts: 1-1 and Payet to score first (50/1 with Sky Bet)
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