The English Football League (EFL) Cup takes centre stage this week as the domestic season edges ever closer to the break for the World Cup.
That means there are not many opportunities for you to bet on your favourite Premier League clubs before competition resumes in late December.
Make the most of the best odds and markets Nigeria has to offer at Bet9ja, with some big matches taking place over the next few days.
Here’s a look at the key games to look out for in the third round of the EFL Cup:
Manchester City vs Chelsea
Wednesday 9th November, 21:00
The EFL Cup is a trophy Pep Guardiola takes seriously every season, despite it being lower down on the list of priorities. Since taking charge of Manchester City in 2016, the Spaniard has lifted the cup four times in six seasons, including four in a row between 2018 and 2021. Last season, City were defeated by West Ham on penalties in the fourth round, and there’s no doubt Guardiola won’t be accepting another early exit.
Saturday’s last-minute win against Fulham made it 10 wins from 10 home matches at the Etihad for City this season, scoring 39 goals in the process. Erling Haaland came off the bench to score his 23rd goal in 17 matches for the Citizens, with 16 of those coming at home. Factoring in that he hasn’t started the last two matches due to injury, he doesn’t have a World Cup to worry about and that there’s only one more match before the break to come, don’t be surprised if we see Haaland unleashed at some point during this clash with Chelsea.
For the visitors, any honeymoon period for Graham Potter is well and truly over. After becoming Chelsea boss in September, Potter went nine matches unbeaten before a humbling at old club Brighton, losing 4-1. Victory over Dinamo Zagreb last week was soon forgotten after a disappointing 0-1 defeat at home to Arsenal, making it back-to-back Premier League losses. In truth, performances had been dropping in the matches leading up to the Brighton loss, with draws against Brentford and Manchester United, where performance levels were lethargic and uninspiring. Injuries to the likes of Reece James and Ben Chilwell don’t help matters of course, but the pressure will already be telling just two months into Potter’s reign at the club.
With the World Cup just around the corner and both sides hit by defensive injuries, it’s hard to predict which XI will make the pitch for either team. With this being the first cup competition either team can win this season when the final takes place next February, neither will take it lightly.
Maybe the above points will impact the pace of the game, bringing a Man City win and under 1.5 Goals at 7.90 or a City win and under 2.5 Goals at 4.15 both into play. In terms of the result in 90 minutes, City are just 1.48 and given how strong they’ve been at home this season, it’s a price hard to look past.
Bet9ja odds 90 minutes only (at time of writing): Man City win: 1.48, Draw: 4.55, Chelsea win: 6.00
Bournemouth vs Everton
Tuesday 8th November, 20:45
Two strugglers face off in an all-Premier-League tie at the Vitality Stadium. A welcome break from the league awaits both sides, ironically before Bournemouth and Everton do battle again at the same place on Saturday. Bournemouth will still be reeling after throwing away a 1-3 lead to lose 4-3 in a key relegation battle clash at Leeds on Saturday. That’s now four defeats in a row and no win in five for the Cherries.
Everton suffered a damaging 0-2 loss to Leicester on the weekend, meaning it’s now just one win in six for Frank Lampard’s men, who are 16th in the Premier League. Both teams made full use of their squads in the second round, with Bournemouth beating Norwich away on penalties and Everton leaving it late to beat League One Fleetwood Town 0-1.
Expect a cagey affair for this one with plenty of changes, meaning a draw at 3.30 comes into play. Any draw after 90 minutes means the game goes straight to penalties. Bournemouth are 1.92 to qualify and Everton 1.82.
Bet9ja odds 90 minutes only (at time of writing): Bournemouth win: 2.74, Draw: 3.30, Everton win: 2.56
Arsenal vs Brighton
Wednesday 9th November, 20:45
It’s a case of priorities for Arsenal when they take part in this season’s EFL Cup for the first time. Having already played 19 matches this season, currently sitting two points clear of the Premier League and having qualified for the Last 16 of the UEFA Europa League, Mikel Arteta can be excused for relying on squad depth on Wednesday. Having won every match at the Emirates Stadium this season, the Gunners will be a tough nut to crack regardless of what team they put out.
Brighton too are experiencing an excellent season, and are currently sixth in the Premier League after impressive wins against Chelsea and Wolves in recent times. Brighton also won the last time the two teams met at the Emirates in April. Given the visitors might try to second guess the Gunners and make less changes than the hosts, a Brighton win at 4.90 might be worth exploring.
Bet9ja odds 90 minutes only (at time of writing): Arsenal win: 1.68, Draw: 3.85, Brighton win: 4.90
Manchester United vs Aston Villa
Thursday 10th November, 21:00
From 1999 until 2021, Aston Villa had recorded just two victories over Manchester United. However, with a 0-1 win at Old Trafford last September and a 3-1 victory at Villa Park on Sunday, that’s two wins from the past four meetings between the two; the same amount as in the previous 22 years. Unai Emery enjoyed a dream start at the weekend in his first match as Villa boss by beating United 3-1 and damaging his opponent’s top four chances.
But expect United boss Eric ten Hag to be looking for some revenge on Thursday and he’s not the type of manager to accept another blow to the same opposition so soon. He will also see the domestic cups as United’s best chance of silverware, especially after drawing Barcelona in the next round of the Europa League. A home win at 1.60 becomes even more likely with all the above factors considered.
Bet9ja odds 90 minutes only (at time of writing): Man Utd win: 1.60, Draw: 4.00, Aston Villa win: 5.30
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