THREE more Capital One Cup games on Wednesday night. Where is Chris Graham (@chrisgraham79) putting his money?
Stoke v Southampton | Wednesday 19:45
I've opposed Southampton quite a few times this season and left with burnt fingers. I ain't giving up though and this looks an ideal opportunity to get stuck in again.
Southampton are as short as 5/4 with Betfred which seems mighty tight when the game is at Stoke and it's in the League Cup. The Saints played a strong side when they beat Arsenal in the last round and arrive here having beaten Stoke in the league at the weekend. Despite all these positives I have to take them on at 5/4. It's a price thing!
Stoke eliminated Sunderland in the last round and had a fairly reasonable team out that night. After a poor start to the season, their home form has really picked up of late and they've now recorded two wins in a row. Their home form in 2013/14 was ranked the sixth best in the Premier League and they reached the quarter-finals of this competition last season.
Stoke are as big as 12/5 with Paddy Power and with just three defeats in their last 12 home matches I'm willing to take a chance. I'll back them off 0 on the Asian Handicap to protect myself from extra-time and penalties.
Tottenham v Brighton | Wednesday 19:45
The pressure is on Mauricio Pochettino after three league defeats in five for his Spurs side. They are down in 11th in the table at present and have suffered three Premier League losses in five at White Hart Lane to boot. Despite this, they should be too strong for Brighton in this Capital One encounter.
Brighton are having a woeful season and lie down in 21st in the Championship standings. The only two sides they've beaten this season in the league are crisis clubs Leeds and Bolton and by the time they kick off on Wednesday it will be 67 days since they picked up maximum points in the league. Sami Hyypia's side have done well to get this far, but it's worth noting all their League Cup wins have come against sides beneath them in the pyramid.
Spurs need a win here in front of their faithful fans and I think it might just be a comfortable one here. I'll take them on the handicap conceding a goal to Brighton.
Best Bets
Stoke v Southampton – Stoke 0 Asian Handicap (6/4 Paddy Power)
Tottenham v Brighton – Tottenham -1 (5/4 Skybet)
