Carling Cup Returns

The Carling Cup returns this week as the big guns join in the fun in the third round. In what promises to be one of the more interesting rounds of cup football this season, we are bound to see some under strength Premiership outfits pit their wits against the remaining lower league clubs, undoubtedly up for a giant-killing.

With the likes of Watford, Sheffield United and West Ham struggling towards the foot of the Premiership table, their respective managers will see this as the perfect opportunity to blood youngsters. What is more likely is that they will be pulling their stars out of the limelight.

An under-fire Steve Bruce will see his Birmingham City side's trip to Sheffield United as the ideal playing field to give him a further stay of execution. There is no doubting that this is a game Birmingham cannot afford to play poorly in and an 11/4 bet on the Blues win looks like an excellent shout.

Likewise, Hull's trip to Vicarage Road looks an exciting prospect for the punters. Aidy Boothroyd has previously stated his reluctance to mount a serious assault on the Carling Cup as his reserve eleven edged out Accrington Stanley on penalties in round two. Hull at 5-1 generally looks superb value, though expect Boothroyd to field a slightly stronger side this time round.