EFL Cup

Manchester United should be able to cruise through to the EFL Cup final after beating Nottingham Forest 3-0 away in the first leg of their semi. With the tie already all but over, each manager is expected to make changes and that could lead to a more even contest on the night.

Newcastle are holding all the aces in their EFL Cup semi-final clash with Southampton ahead of Tuesday’s second leg at St James’ Park. The Magpies prevailed 1-0 in last week’s opening encounter at St Mary’s Stadium and are unbeaten on home turf so far this season.

Man City boss Pep Guardiola may have one eye on Saturday’s derby with United but he doesn’t usually take too many liberties at this stage of the EFL Cup. The Spaniard will also know that Southampton have given the Blues some tough tests in recent seasons, especially at St Mary’s.

Newcastle hammered Leicester 3-0 away in the Premier League on Boxing Day but we’re expecting a closer contest in the EFL Cup. The Magpies are worthy favourites to come through this quarter-final clash, but the Foxes will take heart from their good record at St James’ Park.

Another big gun is about to crash out of the EFL Cup when Man City and holders Liverpool clash in the tie of the round. Arsenal, Tottenham and Chelsea are already out and one of the two best teams in the country over the past few seasons is about to join them.

United return to action following the World Cup break with a League Cup tie against Championship outfit Burnley and it could be a tricky one for Erik ten Hag’s men. Not many managers at the top end of the pyramid go full pelt when it comes to team selection in this competition.

Erik ten Hag will be looking for a riposte from Manchester United when they face Aston Villa again in the EFL Cup on Thursday. New Villa boss Unai Emery started his spell in charge with a rousing 3-1 home victory over United in the Premier League on Sunday.

Liverpool will travel to Preston on a high after Sunday’s big win over Man Utd and should enjoy more success in the EFL Cup. Jurgen Klopp will make changes at Deepdale, though, and North End have a good record on home turf, so this could be a good game to watch.

Arsenal have impressed in the EFL Cup this season and are strongly fancied to see off Leeds in the fourth round at Emirates Stadium. With no European distractions this term, Mikel Arteta is well placed to prioritise success in both domestic knockout competitions.

Liverpool will take a different team to Carrow Road for Tuesday’s EFL Cup clash than when winning here 3-0 in their Premier League opener. However, the Reds are expected to have enough strength in depth to come through this tie against the struggling Canaries.

Arsenal are reeling on the ropes after a poor start in the Premier League and West Brom will be hoping to land a knockout blow in their EFL Cup clash. Mikel Arteta has been hampered by illness problems, plus he will have one eye on Saturday’s early kick-off at Man City.

Barrow will be fired up for their big EFL Cup clash with Aston Villa but Dean Smith does tend to take these kinds of ties seriously. Villa reached the final two seasons ago and breezed through trips to Burton and Bristol City in the early rounds last term.

There is a bit of extra spice associated with Derby’s EFL Cup tie against Salford due to links between former Man Utd teammates. Rams head coach Wayne Rooney will be keen to avoid an upset versus City, who are part-owned by the likes of Gary Neville, Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs.

Orient will have home advantage and past history on their side when trying to upset QPR in Wednesday’s televised EFL Cup tie. The O’s beat Rangers in this competition back in 2002 and 2007 and are rated a value bet to complete the hat-trick at Breyer Group Stadium.