The Carling Cup is a tricky competition at the best of times
without it being before the third round, with many fielding weak sides against
weaker opposition. This makes it ironic that we’ve got three selections, but
all have a solid base for recommendation.
Only eight West Yorkshire miles separate Leeds from Bradford
but the reality couldn’t be more stark – Leeds will be going for promotion to
the Premiership this season while Bradford were lucky to escape relegation last
season and lost their first game of the season 2-1.
Stats are also on our side - Leeds have never lost in the
first round of this competition, winning all seven previous ties, while have
lost in the first round in seven of the last nine years.
For those wondering, Leeds manager Simon Grayson will be
forced to make wholesale changes with Wingers Robert Snodgrass (Scotland) and
Max Gradel (Ivory Coast) are on international duty, along with Luciano Becchio
(hamstring) and Davide Somma (torn cruciate ligament) remain sidelined.
It’s not like Bradford will be at full strength either - centre-back
Steve Williams could replace Lee Bullock, who hurt his hamstring on Saturday,
and most of the team are still finding their feet in the football league with
10 new arrivals this season.
Leeds were lucky to score a goal at the weekend but
Southampton were always going to be tough at home and a win without conceding
maybe on the cards.
There’s no way that Blackpool will have things as easy at
Sheffield Wednesday but after their win at Hull on the opening day of the
season I just can’t help but take a chance on Ian Hollway naming a strong
enough side to win at Wednesday.
While the home side were deeply impressive on Saturday in
getting their League One campaign off to a flying start by defeating Rochdale
at Hillsborough the same could be said of Blackpool at Hull, even though they
rode out their chances. It could come
down to the best squad on the night and in that case if Blackpool turn up
they’ll take all the beating.
Both sides will be a little weaker than for the League but the teams are level, which means that class should out and the visitors look worth a poke. Plymouth avoided an opening-day defeat for the ninth consecutive season at Stevenage but they look vulnerable to a Milwalll side that were impressive against Reading despite letting a 2 goal advantage slip.
Some potential hotpots to avoid might include Middlesbrough,
who travel to a full strength Walsall team who will be up for the cup, with new
signing Lee Beevers and fit-again midfielder Jake Jones will be hoping for a
place in the 18-man matchday squad, while Coventry lost to League One side
Hartlepool and League Two team Morecambe in the opening round in each of the
last two seasons respectively & have not won away from home in the League
Cup since knocking out Manchester United 2-0 in the third round at Old Trafford
in September 2007.
Advice
2 pts Leeds to win to Nil (17/10 Blue Sq)
1 pt Blackpool (7/4 VC Bet)
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