Carling Cup

The Football League Cup "Carling Cup", commonly known as the League Cup, is an English football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis.

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Unlike the FA Cup where 674 teams entered in 2005–06, only 92 clubs can enter: the 20 clubs of the FA Premier League, and the 72 clubs of The Football League who organise the competition.

The tournament has been derided in recent seasons as Premier League sides use the Carling Cup to give valuabl experience to their fringe and young squad players but Arsenal's youngsters surprised everyone in 2007 by reaching the final and they have also got to the semi-final stage of the 2008 tournament where they play Spurs.

Carling Cup (League Cup) Winners

2007 Arsenal 1 - 2 Chelsea
2006 Manchester United 4 - 0 Wigan Athletic
2005 Chelsea 3 - 2 Liverpool
2004 Middlesbrough 2 - 1 Bolton Wanderers
2003 Liverpool 2 - 0 Manchester United
2002 Blackburn Rovers 2 - 1 Tottenham Hotspur

Current Carling Cup betting (prices as of January 14)

Chelsea 6/5; Spurs 11/4, Arsenal 7/2, Everton 7

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Frank Lampard is expecting a recall to the starting XI for the Carling Cup final

Football betting: Carling Cup final: Chelsea vs Spurs
22-Feb-2008

Chelsea are excellent value to clinch their third Carling Cup win in four years when they take on Tottenham at Wembley on Sunday, with Paddy Power pricing them at 11/10.

Joleon Lescott has been scoring freely for Everton and should be backed to do so again against Chelsea

Football odds: Carling Cup - Everton vs Chelsea
23-Jan-2008

Everton were very unlucky to lose the away leg of their Carling Cup semi-final at Chelsea two weeks' ago but they can make amends against a depleted Blues side this Wednesday at Goodison Park.

Steed Malbranque returns for Spurs in the Carling Cup againt Arsenal

Latest football odds: Carling Cup - Spurs vs Arsenal
22-Jan-2008

It's not very often that you see Arsenal priced at 21/10 to beat Tottenham but that's what Paddy Power have done for Tuesday's Carling Cup semi-final at White Hart Lane (Sky Sports 1 20:00). This column tipped Spurs to break their Arsenal hoodoo two weeks' ago and in fact after outplaying them for most of the match and taking a 1-0 lead Juande Ramos's side looked shoo-ins to overcome their hated rivals for the first time in 19 attempts.

Robbie Keane has missed key chances in recent matches

Football betting: Carling Cup - Arsenal v Spurs
09-Jan-2008

One glance at their record against Arsenal would lead even the most confident of Tottenham die-hards to deem anything other than a Carling Cup defeat at the Emirates on Wednesday pure fantasy. However, at 11/4 with Paddy Power Spurs are well-priced to end their Gooners hoodoo.

Tim Cahill, right, returns to the Everton team for the Carling Cup semi-final

Football betting: Carling Cup - Chelsea v Everton
07-Jan-2008

It may not be an interesting prediction but the 5/2 Paddy Power have priced up about a Carling Cup semi-final first leg draw when Chelsea play Everton on Tuesday night looks the way forward. While Chelsea's star is waning, Everton's appears to be in the ascendant and the 4/1 about an away win for the visitors makes for considerable initial appeal.

Chelsea captain Frank Lampard scored against Liverpool in his side's 2-0 quarter-final win

Football betting: Carling Cup odds
20-Dec-2007

After seeing off Liverpool in their quarter-final and avoiding Arsenal in the semi-final draw, Chelsea have been installed as favourites to win the Carling Cup. Avram Grant's side saw off the Reds through goals by Frank Lampard and Andriy Shevchnko which gave cheer to Bettingchoice punters who had been advised to back Shevchenko to score anytime in Paddy Power's Once In A Blue Moon special.

Eduardo is a value bet at 7/1 for the first goalscorer against Blackburn

Football betting: Carling Cup quarter-finals (Tuesday)
18-Dec-2007

Even though Arsenal will play their second string at Blackburn Rovers in the Carling Cup tonight, they can be trusted to beat Mark Hughes's side at meaty 6/4 with SportingBet.

Andriy Shevchenko is the subject of a Paddy Power special against Liverpool

Football betting: Carling Cup - Chelsea v Liverpool
18-Dec-2007

Paddy Power are offering a Once in A Blue Moon special for Wednesday's Carling Cup clash between Chelsea and Liverpool and with both sides expected to field understrength sides it could well be an offer worth taking up. After disappointing 1-0 defeats that dented both sides' title aspirations on Sunday, the Reds and the Blues will both be looking to return to winning ways at Stamford Bridge.

Carling Cup Final Betting Tips
25-Feb-2007

Arsene Wenger looks set to rely on his young guns in the Carling Cup Final against Chelsea at the Millennium Stadium on Sunday, and given how well the youngsters have been performing in this competition, the Blues would be foolish to underestimate them.

Beware of the Drog!
23-Feb-2007

Chelsea favourites for Carling Cup
22-Feb-2007

Chelsea are the 8-13 favourites with

Chelsea v Arsenal Carling Cup Money-Back Special
22-Feb-2007

Ladbrokes favour Arsenal for Carling Cup
01-Feb-2007

Arsenal are 11/10 to win the Carling Cup after their extra-time victory over Tottenham,

Liverpool vs Arsenal in the Carling Cup Betting Tips
08-Jan-2007

I think I speak for many when I say it was surprising that Arsenal managed to put three pass Liverpool when outpointing them at Anfield in their third round FA Cup tie on Saturday.

Newcastle vs Chelsea
19-Dec-2006

Newcastle made Chelsea fight tooth and nail for victory in their Premiership fixture at Stamford Bridge last week and it'll be take two at St James'Park this Wednesday as the two sides do battle for a place in the semi-finals of the Carling Cup.

Liverpool v Arsenal Special
18-Dec-2006

Liverpool vs Arsenal betting tips
18-Dec-2006

Undoubtedly the pick of the quarter-final Carling Cup ties is at Anfield on Tuesday night when Liverpool entertain Arsenal. The Reds have met the north London side a dozen times in this competition and hold sway having won five of the matches in question compared to Arsenal's three wins.

Carling Cup Returns
24-Oct-2006

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.

Carling Cup Final Betting Analysis
25-Feb-2005

The first domestic trophy will be decided this Sunday with Chelsea taking on Liverpool in the Carling Cup Final. The Blues are favourites, although their demise in the FA Cup, loss in Barcelona and some key injuries will have been unsettling.