Carabao Cup predictions: Wednesday's fourth round clashes

Wednesday night brings a Carabao Cup feast to the television screens of football fans with a number of mouthwatering clashes in store.

Southampton and Brentford secured their spots in the next round on Tuesday evening as each avoided upsets after scares from Championship opposition, but it’s now time for the likes of Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool to get involved.

The Carabao Cup is the first piece of silverware up for grabs for English top-flight teams and each ‘Big Six’ manager will be keen to oversee victory to keep their hopes of making Wembley Stadium’s showpiece in March alive.

Here’s 90min’s match result predictions for all six games taking place on Wednesday.

Wednesday 30 October

The action kicks off at 19:30 (GMT) on the south coast as Brighton & Hove Albion host Liverpool. It’s the first of two games between the teams this week, with another duel pencilled in at Anfield in the Premier League.

It should be an entertaining spectacle between two possession-orientated teams, though Arne Slot’s impressive start as Reds manager makes his side slight favourites at the AMEX Stadium. That said, the Seagulls have fond memories of hosting Liverpool in knockout competitions, downing the Merseysiders with a late Kaoru Mitoma strike in an FA Cup clash in January 2023.

Four 19:45 matches then take centre stage, with Unai Emery’s Aston Villa battling Crystal Palace. The Villans remain a tough nut to crack having gone undefeated since a loss to Arsenal in August and their Spanish manager has hinted heavily at his desire to lead his troops to silverware this season.

Attempting to halt their momentum will be Palace. Oliver Glasner finally led the Eagles to a first Premier League win of the season on Sunday, but this encounter will undoubtedly be a tougher test than what Tottenham Hotspur provided at the weekend.

Plenty of eyes will be on Old Trafford, too. Manchester United have finally ditched Erik ten Hag and are making moves to bring in Sporting CP’s Ruben Amorim, but for the meantime Ruud van Nistelrooy will be in the dugout when Leicester City visit.

The Red Devils remain plagued by injuries but there should be a more relaxed approach with their beleaguered Dutchman no longer in charge and the Foxes are unlikely to put up too much of a fight, with their focus very much on remaining in the top flight.

Newcastle United and Chelsea only met this past weekend, with Cole Palmer once again stealing the show as Enzo Maresca’s side earned a 2-1 win. The setting this time is St James’ Park, where Eddie Howe could do with a boisterous atmosphere after a run of just one victory in six matches.

However, such a success may not be forthcoming. While there will be some rotation in the Blues ranks, their recent form has been impeccable – a 2-1 defeat to Liverpool aside – and their free-scoring forwards should break through a patched-up Magpies defence.

The discourse around Arsenal has been dominated by injuries but that should have little bearing on their battle with Preston North End. Young Gunners Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly should get game time and their youthful exuberance may well help Mikel Arteta’s side swat Preston aside, even if the hosts are unbeaten in five games.

Rounding off Wednesday’s slate of fixtures is arguably the tie of the fourth round, with Tottenham Hotspur welcoming Manchester City to north London. Spurs conspired to lose in a lifeless display at Palace and an Ange Postecoglou rollicking was certainly needed at full-time at Selhurst Park.

City would ordinarily be strong favourites in north London, having recently broken their curse at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, but Pep Guardiola is intent on playing youngsters as he looks to save his main stars for the more important Premier League and Champions League battles ahead. That could open the door for the Lilywhites, but whether they’ll be able to get over the line is another thing entirely. It could go all the way to penalties.

Carabao Cup fourth round predictions

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