The Mixer is FST’s weekly column where we catch up with our team of football betting experts and get their take on the hot topic of the week.
Premier League teams head into the EFL Cup this week and with dozens of matches over the next two days, our experts have plenty to tell you for our In The Mixer ekka!
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alex jack
After defeating Leeds United 3–0 at Elland Road in the first round of the EFL Cup, middlesbrough Their chances of getting past Stoke City at the Riverside on Tuesday night should be strong.
Leeds boss Daniel Farke made eight changes for that game, Boro boss Michael Carrick also changed his team and several of his fringe players shone in West Yorkshire
Middlesbrough have faltered in the Championship since then but could look to get back to winning ways against a Stoke side who go into this game on the back of a 3-0 defeat to Watford last time out and a 2-1 home loss to West Brom.
Rob Eddy
black burn They are favourites to beat Blackpool in Tuesday night’s match as both have started the season well and Rovers also have the advantage of playing at home, but goals also look certain and a home win with over 2.5 goals makes the score look stronger at around 8-5.
Even without Sammie Szmodics – who scored two goals in a 6-1 win at Stockport in the previous round – Rovers have had seven goals in their last two games in the Championship, while Blackpool have 14 goals in three league games and reached this stage thanks to a 4-0 win at Burton.
Liam Flynn
Watford The team have had a blistering start to this season’s Championship, registering three straight wins over Millwall, Stoke and Derby.
But the Hornets also impressed in their first cup tie of the season, beating MK Dons 5-0 in the EFL Cup first round, and it would be fair to back them to beat Plymouth in Tuesday’s contest.
The Pilgrims won the first round tie against Cheltenham 3-0 but this will be a much tougher test and Wayne Rooney’s side have struggled at another level so far this season, managing just two points from three games.
Tom McGarry
If any Premier League team is in danger of suffering a shock defeat in the EFL Cup it could be Everton, who are hosting League Two. Doncaster The team has bounced back after consecutive heavy defeats at the start of the new season.
The Toffees lost 3-0 at home to Brighton, and followed that up with four players coming off without reply against Tottenham, and although it is still early in the season, Sean Dyche’s side have already been hampered by injuries.
Doncaster smell danger after winning three of their opening four games and could be worth backing at a reasonable price in the Double Chance market.
Jack Oglebay
West Ham They are almost starting from scratch following the departure of David Moyes and his successor Julen Lopetegui will use the home match against Bournemouth to give his new players some time, having stuck with the same XI for the defeat to Aston Villa and the win at Crystal Palace.
The Cherries will also make rotations after draws against Nottingham Forest and Newcastle, but Andoni Iraola is under less pressure to win cup competitions and will be focused on improving on last season’s 12th-place finish.
Squad depth could win the battle for Basque coaches and the Hammers have more quality players.
Aaron Rogan
Luton’s return to the Championship has not gone according to plan, with the club picking up one point from their first three games. Defeats to Burnley at home and Preston away were disappointing, while a 0-0 draw at home to Portsmouth was not encouraging.
QPR They haven’t been able to put up the same performances as they did in the second half of last season, but they are unbeaten in three games. After Luton’s poor start they are a good price at around 2/1 for a home win. The Hatters had a bye in the first round and are unlikely to be much of a draw in the cup this time around.
Ian Wilkerson
There wasn’t much enthusiasm for this Blackburn The chances of a good showing this season are slim, but Rovers have made a strong start to the campaign and will have no problem progressing in the EFL Cup at the expense of Blackpool.
Rovers have lost star goalscorer Sammie Szmodics to promoted Ipswich, but John Eustace’s side have performed superbly, particularly in the League Cup, where they beat Stockport 6-1.
Their Lancashire rivals may not be able to stop them and caretaker manager Richard Keogh has a lot of work on his hands after the Seasiders lost their two opening League One games and then threw away a 4-1 lead to draw at Cambridge on Saturday.
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