Football betting: Carling Cup odds

After seeing off Liverpool in their quarter-final and avoiding Arsenal in the semi-final draw, Chelsea have been installed as favourites to win this season's Carling Cup. Click here for a free $600 welcome bonus on Paddy Power Poker Avram Grant's side saw off the Reds through a deflected goal by captain Frank Lampard and an injury-time second from Andriy Shevchnko which not only left Rafa Benitez's side winless again at Stamford Bridge, but 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. Ladbrokes are a best-priced 13/8 on Chelsea winning the Carling Cup for the third time in four years after they were drawn against Everton in the two-leg semi-finals and despite David Moyes's side hitting a good run of recent form - including a league draw at Stamford Bridge - the Blues are fourth in the betting at 5/1. The other semi-final pits the young guns of Arsenal, who showed a maturity beyond their years to beat Blackburn in injury time in their quarter-final, against an improving Tottenham outfit. Juande Ramos said that their 2-0 quarter-final win over Manchester City was his side's best display since he took charge and Ramos will be hoping to improve on his record at the Emirates Stadium this year as when manager of Seville his team were soundly beaten 3-0 in the Champions League. Arsenal are a best-priced 3/1 to win the Carling Cup, a price that reflects Arsene Wenger's tendency to play his reserve team in the competition, while Spurs can be backed at 9/2. Arsenal and Tottenham are meeting at this stage for the second successive season and Spurs will be out to avenge that two-leg defeat against their north London rivals. Click here for a free $600 welcome bonus on Paddy Power Poker