Capital One Cup – Betting Preview

Following the Premier League weekend in which many sides were involved in fruitful encounters, now comes the time for them to face other opponents in the Capital One Cup.

The Capital One Cup is a thrilling football competition that is staged yearly in the English top divisions. The Cup consists of all 20 teams from the Premier League while a further 72 are added to the mold from the Football League (Football League Championship, Football league One and Football League Two). The winners of the tournament get rewarded with automatic qualification for the EUFA Europa League.

The most recent champions of the Cup were Manchester City as they beat Sunderland 3-1 on March 2 last season at Wembley. Since the Sky Blues already qualified for the Champions League, the Europa League place was given to Tottenham Hotspur for the 2014-15 season. Tonight a total of 10 clubs will square off against one another in matches are looking to offer a thrilling spectacle for numerous of fans.

Exciting match-ups in tonight’s games

• Manchester City the most recent champions (3rd title)

• Cup winner receives automatic qualification for UEFA Europa League

• A total of 92 clubs enter the tournament

Bournemouth will come up against West Brom at home as they will aim take advantage of playing at their stadium and potentially seal a win. Mobile betting provider Bet365 gives them odds of 2.40 (7/5) for a win, although realistically a draw seems to be more likely 3.50 (5/2). West Brom will give it their all considering how far they have reached, despite the fact that odds 3.10 (21/10) are stacked against them in tonight’s encounter.

Sheffield United has been dealt an opponent from their own division (League One). Milton Keynes Dons Football Club will host the Red and White Wizards in a game that is looking to be a great showpiece of the tournament. The Dons are favorites with odds being 2.20 (6/5) while a draw stands a high 3.60 (13/5) according to Bet365. Sheffield United aren’t viewed as having a great chance of success with odds currently steady at 3.40 (12/5).

Derby County will play a match against Fulham away and currently many online sportsbooks in the UK rank both of the teams somewhat equal. The Rams have been assigned odds of 2.75 (7/4) mainly because they are the visiting team, while Fulham enjoys slightly better chances 2.60 (8/5). Seeing that both clubs have almost even possibilities, placing a wager on a draw between the two may prove to be the best option 3.60 (13/5).

Giant killing may take place tonight

Low side Shrewsbury Town (League Two) will come up against the giants and current undefeated Premier League leaders Chelsea. Many times when smaller sides face big clubs they are often discarded and viewed as easy prey for the big teams. However, many football experts point to the fact that when it comes to Capital One Cup the scenario is often the opposite of what people expect to happen in such encounters.

The competition is famous for the so-called “giant-killing” which involves the big sides losing by much weaker opposition, as they often field their bench players or academy youth to get experience in through these games. Big clubs generally concentrate on the bigger competitions that they are involved with and may not place the Capital One Cup among their highest priorities.

So considering that Chelsea may field some younger players against Shrewsbury it may be wise for punters to consider this when placing bets on the game, despite the fact that Bet365 is favoring them 1.25 (1/4). The Shrews have been dealt odds of 14.00 (13/1), while a draw stands a high 6.50 (11/2). Interestingly enough, punters that are betting in Malaysia have also noticed this tendency and are looking to capitalize on the giant killing aspect.

And finally Liverpool will square off against Welsh side Swansea, where the Reds are definite favorites for the game. Bet365 has given them odds of 1.80 (4/5), while Swansea don’t seem to possess the capacity to challenge for further progress with odds standing at 4.75 (15/4). However, taking into account that Liverpool may also consider fielding a weaker side tonight, Swansea may still have a chance to record a draw at least 3.80 (14/5).