Carabao Cup football: Free betting tips for Tuesday's games in round three
Our David John has come up with a double for Tuesday night's action in round three of the Carabao Cup.
The sponsors of the Carabao Cup might have fluffed their lines with a convoluted draw that no-one understood in the middle of the night but the excitement goes up a notch with the introduction of the Premier League big guns this week.
Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City are all held back until Wednesday night so the best bets to come from Tuesday evening’s coupon involve Premier League duo Brighton and Swansea.
The observant among you will already realise that the Seagulls faced their Cup opponents Bournemouth as recently as Friday night in the top flight when the Cherries took all three points.
It was a very welcome outcome too as they rallied admirably in the second period for a 2-1 victory following the introduction of midfield catalyst Jordon Ibe, who deftly set up goals for Andrew Surman and Jermain Defoe.
However, Brighton had really caught the eye up to that point, containing the hosts with relative comfort before taking the lead thanks to Solly March’s header 10 minutes after the interval.
So it is all back to the Vitality Stadium for round two and it would be pretty ridiculous to expect Eddie Howe and Chris Hughton to field their preferred starting XIs with the chance to rotate a few fringe players into the equation and give some Premier League starters a little bit of a breather.
Hughton’s tactics and strategy since Brighton’s promotion have yielded just one victory against West Brom but his sides have looked organised and very well drilled despite lacking that extra overall quality required at the top level.
The former Newcastle and Norwich boss has the chance to give promising new recruits Jose Izquierdo and Ezequiel Schellotto some serious game time in this fixture, while veterans like Liam Rosenior – excellent on Friday night – seem well up for the opportunity of another run out in the first team.
I am not entirely convinced that an altered line-up here for the hosts will build on the momentum of a first Premier League success after a miserable start to the season and Brighton are well worth a small punt at the price on offer.
The Swans are basking in the glory of an excellent point secured at Wembley against Tottenham on Saturday evening, a stalemate that once again highlighted the tactical nous head coach Paul Clement has when it comes to weighing up a rival.
He takes his side down the M4 to Reading and has promised a "few swaps" to keep his players fresh as opposed to wholesale change or any sort of run out for the youngsters on the fringe of the squad trying to make a breakthrough.
Injuries dictate he may well have to retain the excellent Alfie Mawson and Federico Fernandez in the heart of the defence while a rather underwhelming Renato Sanches plus old favourite Wilfried Bony will be on from the first whistle by all reports, with the pair needing to get in some serious competitive minutes.
Midfield enforcer Leroy Fer was the star turn in the last round with two goals against the MK Dons and is a shoo-in for a starting berth too so all of a sudden you have the basis of a very good-looking team that can do a job against lower-league opposition.
The Royals are in a transitional phase under Jaap Stam after a summer recruitment drive with the Dutchman still in the process of figuring out who represents his best options and eight points from seven games in the second tier suggests they are there for the taking if Swansea want it badly enough.
Recommended bet
1pt double Brighton and Swansea at 7.82/1
Click here for our transparent tipping record.
Posted at 1725 BST on 18/09/17.
Related football links
MOST READ FOOTBALL
FOOTBALL TIPS
