League Cup (2/12 - 3/12)

Burnley v Arsenal
Watford v Tottenham
Manchester United v Blackburn


Tuesday, 2 December
Burnley v Arsenal

Summary: League Cup giant killers Burnley, face Arsene Wenger's baby-faced assassins in what promises to be a match between men and boys. Burnley have done incredibly well to reach this stage of the cup, defeating Premier League opposition in Fulham and Chelsea. The Arsenal youngsters have shown that they are made of the right stuff by disposing Championship opposition Sheffield United 6-0 and Premiership strugglers Wigan 3-0. Burnley have an impressive record at home with only one defeat for the season. The home side have doubts over Wade Elliott, Kalvenes, and Van der Schaaf whereas Arsenal's youngsters are all fit and chomping at the bit for a run out.

Verdict: Arsenal have had a fine record in the League Cup in recent years, with manager extraordinare Arsene Wenger using the opportunity to bed in his multi cultured youngsters into the bump and grind of English football. As a consequence of wanting to impress, Arsenal's League Cup teams play a free-spirited, expansive game like their more senior counterparts but in a more careless approach which can at times leave them susceptable to a quick counter-attack. Burnley currently sit 4th in the Championship and have kept four home clean sheets on the bounce. Burnley will fancy themselves here against an inexperienced opponent and in front of a roaring home crowd. This may actually work against the home team as Arsenal like nothing more than the counter-attacking game.

Pick: Over 2.5 goals
Burnley 2 - 0 Arsenal

Wednesday, 3 December
Watford v Tottenham

Summary: Two struggling sides clash at Vicarage Road this evening for a berth into the next round of the Carling CUp. Tottenham are ofcoarse the defending champions and Premier League side so the onus will be on them to take the game to the hosts who sit in 20th position in the Championship. Watford hava conceded more goals than any other Championship side with 34 but are also the third highest scorers with 30 goals. Both teams suffered dissapointment in their most recent fixtures with Watford drawing 1-1 at home to bottom side Doncaster and Tottenham losing 0-1 to Everton. Watford will hand fitness tests to several players whereas Tottenham will rest captain Ledley King (and possibly Jenas and Modric) while Hutton and Giovani sit this one out through injury.

Verdict: Tottenham manager, Harry Redknapp, has vowed that Premiership points will always be a priority over the Carling Cup and hints at playing a depleted side. I don't buy this as he fielded a strong side in their previous Cup fixture against Liverpool (4-2) and this match screams out as been the perfect opportunity for his players to gain some confidence going into the busy Christmas period that awaits. Watford manager, Brendan Rogers, finds himself in a difficult position as his team will only have two days to prepare for their next Championship fixture against front runners Birmingham. Add to this their poor defensive record, Tottenham should have enough here to get themselves over the line.

Pick: Tottenham -0.5
Watford 1 - 2 Tottenham

Manchester United v Blackburn

Summary: Under fire manager and former Man United favourite, Paul Ince, will take his struggling side to Old Trafford with a mission to forge their way through to the next round of the Carling Cup. That mission may be made easier with the fact that Sir Alex Ferguson will field a young and inexperienced squad except for Tevez, Nani, Park and possibly Scholes who are likely to start - with the latter making a possible return from knee surgery. Blackburn have only achieved one victory in their last 10 fixtures, that coming in the Carling Cup in a 2-1 brace at Sunderland. On the weekend, Blackburn suffered a heartbreaking 3-2 loss at Portsmouth after bravely coming back from two goals down to draw level at 2-2. Manchester United were 1-0 victors in the Manchester derby and it will be interesting to see if the club's youngsters can take the feel good factor into this match.

Verdict: Blackburn have actually performed more respectably on their travels compared to their home outings in recent times which have culminated in narrow 3-2 losses to Portsmouth and Aston Villa, and a 1-0 loss to a revived Tottenham. Sir Alex Ferguson has never taken a real interest in this Cup competition which is evident in the fact that he has only ever captured this title twice in his 20+ year tenure at Manchester United. It will be interesting to see how seriously senior players like Nani and Tevez will treat this fixture, having been left in the outer in recent times. Paul Ince and his outfit will be hell bent to put in a good performance here in attempt to turn around their season. Blackburn's physical style of play may unsettle the young Manchester United outfit so it is possible that the away team may get some joy here.

Pick: Blackburn +1
Manchester United 5 - 3 Blackburn