League Cup Quarter Finals Betting Review
The League Cup provides the first opportunity for silverware and all eight survivors have genuine aspirations to give themselves a mid-season lift by clinching the trophy in February.
In the truest spirit of the tournament there are three quarter finalists from outside the top flight, and although it would be a surprise if Burnley, Derby County or Watford claimed Wembley glory, backing one to do so would not be the craziest football bet of the season.
Burnley, riding high in the Championship and conquerors of Chelsea in the last 16, have the best chance of being the first second tier finalists since Birmingham City in 2001.
They are worth backing in the to reach the final market at the very least – Arsenal will hold no fears at Turf Moor after the stunning win at Stamford Bridge, despite the impressive displays Arsène Wenger’s young guns have put in so far.
The Burnley match will be the gunner understudies’ last chance to impress – contrary to public opinion they do not feature in the latter knockout stages and it will be similarly important for punters hoping for a winner outside of the ‘big four’ that Blackburn Rovers dispose of Manchester United at Old Trafford.
It is for this reason that Stoke City (home to Derby) and Tottenham Hotspur (away to Watford) should be the top flight outfits backed to win their quarter finals outright. Both Championship teams are some way off promotion form and Spurs and the Potters are in the mood to take the competition more seriously than anyone.
Tottenham are still just about in the Harry Redknapp honeymoon phase and have plenty of players keen to impress the new boss ahead of the January transfer window.
Progress to the semi finals should see them in even better form by January and Spurs stand out in the Carling Cup betting as good value to become the first team since Nottingham Forest in 1990 to retain the trophy.
