EFL Cup Predictions > Aug 2nd - 11th

[StevieDay1983]

The EFL Cup 1st Round is set to be played over the next week or so with a single game taking place on Tuesday night and then the remaining fixtures all scheduled over three days next week. Check out the odds for those games above and share your bets with us below! 

[malabgd]

Luton Town vs Newport County

2022-08-09T20:45+02:00

 

Luton Town

Doubtful: Glen Rea (0/0 d), Louie Watson (0/0 m)

Out (injuries/other): Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu (0/0 m), James Shea (0/0 g), Fred Onyedinma (0/0 f)

Suspended: -

 

Newport County

Doubtful: Priestley Farquharson (0/0 d)

Out (injuries/other): James Clarke (0/0 d)

Suspended:

 

Walsall FC vs Swindon Town

2022-08-09T20:45+02:00

 

Walsall FC

Doubtful: -

Out (injuries/other): Liam Gordon (0/0 d), Joss Labadie (0/0 m), Joe Riley (0/0 m), Conor Wilkinson (0/0 f)

Suspended: Taylor Allen (2/0 m)

 

Swindon Town

Doubtful: Reece Devine (0/0 d)

Out (injuries/other): Ciaran Brennan (2/0 d), Ellis Iandolo (0/0 m)

Suspended: Harry McKirdy (2/0 m)

 

Daily updated injuries and suspensions information from more than 100 football leagues and competitions worldwide at: www.injuriesandsuspensions.com

[StevieDay1983]

Cardiff vs Portsmouth

The EFL Cup games are here and it's always a game of roulette in this 1st Round. Cardiff take on Portsmouth in a 7:45pm BST kick-off on Tuesday night from the Cardiff City Stadium. These two clubs may well be in two different divisions but there's an opportunity for progression to the next round if fringe players are chosen by the opposition. Will either team mix it up or choose to stick with their first XI?

Cardiff have had a mixed start to their Championship campaign with a 1-0 win at home to Norwich on the opening day being followed up a disappointing 2-1 loss away to Reading. Head coach Steve Morison has overseen a huge change in playing personnel during the summer with both the pros and cons of that being evident in just the first couple of weeks of the season. The Bluebirds gaffer has already openly admitted that the fringe players and younger players in the squad will get their chance to impress in this game after the weekend's defeat. This means we could see starts for players such as Ollie Tanner, Oliver Denham, Eli King, and Tom Sang. The fitness of Welsh prospect Rubin Colwill is still unknown so it would be good to see him get some minutes if he is close to full fitness.

Portsmouth come into this game sitting in 18th place in League One but enjoying an unbeaten start to the season. The thrilling 3-3 draw away to promotion favourites Sheffield Wednesday was followed up with a dour 0-0 draw at home to Lincoln City. Manager Danny Cowley knows the pressure will be on him and his players to push on to the League One play-offs this season after a 10th placed finish last season saw them miss out on the top six. The summer transfer business has divided opinion but the arrival of the likes of Marlon Pack, Zak Swanson, Joe Rafferty, and Michael Morrison on permanent deals certainly shows an emphasis on bolstering the defensive areas of the team. The surprise signing of Crewe midfielder Tom Lowery also came out of nowhere and is an exciting addition. The loan signings of Andre Scarlett and Owen Dale give the team options up front too but it has been the new arrivals of Colby Bishop and Joe Pigott that have hit the ground running in the goals and assists stakes. Will Cowley also opt to give fringe players a run out given the league is a clear priority?

I'm anticipating a low key affair here with both teams likely to give squad rotation some serious consideration. Cardiff have a lot of strength in depth now and Morison will want to keep his squad as happy as possible. After the Reading performance there could well be a few players keen to knock on the first team door and this is their chance. Portsmouth are still without a competitive win this season but I think Cowley will save his best players for the trip to Cheltenham next weekend where they have a great chance of getting 3 points. This game could be a chance for players on the bench to come in and show what they can do. On that basis, I think Cardiff should do the job here.

Cardiff to Win @ 2.34 with SBK

Total Goals Scored Under 2.5 @ 1.87 with Betfair