The EFL Cup enters the round of 16 and this week’s fixtures are exciting. Arsenal face Liverpool while Manchester United visit Chelsea in the biggest games. Who will make it to the quarters? Bet on these games here.
More misery for Arsenal
Arsenal would probably have preferred an easier League Cup fourth round opponent than Premier League leaders Liverpool. The Gunners are heading into this game in a poor run of form. Unai Emery’s side have won just two away matches this season and have not won away against a top-six side since 2015. Meanwhile, Liverpool came back from a goal down to beat Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League and are in the form of their lives. The Reds have tormented Arsenal in recent seasons, winning each of their last four home games against them. This will be a monumental task for Arsenal at Anfield and if they play like they’ve been playing in their last few games, their cup run will end on Wednesday night.
Chelsea’s winning run to continue?
Chelsea face Manchester United in another all-Premier League clash at Stamford Bridge in the fourth round of the League Cup. Frank Lampard’s tenure as Chelsea boss began with the worst possible outcome; a 4-0 drubbing at Old Trafford against Manchester United in their first Premier League game. However, in a remarkable turn of fortunes, Chelsea are now odds-on to finish in the top four after a phenomenal run of form. After losing to Liverpool in late September, the Blues have won seven straight games. They have a solid record against United at Stamford Bridge but lost last time out to the Red Devils in the FA Cup. United have also experienced an upturn in form and head to London with two straight wins. Can Chelsea stunning winning run continue?
Silva to ease pressure?
Everton boss Marco Silva faces his former club Watford in the fourth round as he seeks more respite at Goodison Park following a demoralising defeat at Brighton in the Premier League. Pressure briefly eased on Silva following a dreadful loss at Burnley thanks to a convincing home win over West Ham. However, after suffering a sixth league defeat of the campaign on Saturday albeit in unfortunate circumstances, he cannot afford another setback against the league’s bottom-placed team. Watford have won just twice this season with both matches coming in the League Cup.
Oxford United Cup run to continue?
Oxford United and Sunderland meet in an all-League One affair in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night. United are in stunning form at the moment. They have not been beaten in any competition since falling to a 2-1 league defeat at Fleetwood Town back in early September. Since then, they have won seven and drawn three of their last ten matches in all competitions. Moreover, they were outstanding in their 4-0 thrashing of Premier League side West Ham in the third round. Can they produce another memorable performance against Sunderland?
City to pile more pressure on Hasenhüttl
Manchester City host struggling Southampton at the Etihad in the fourth round. The Saints suffered their worst ever defeat last Friday night, losing 9-0 against Leicester St Mary’s. They have failed to win each of their last four games and their chances of keeping Manchester City quiet are very slim. The hosts have been firing on all cylinders and will look to hand the Saints another defeat. The Southampton board have faith that Hasenhuttl will turn things around in the coming weeks. Can he?