Carling Cup 3rd round fixtures
Your 3 minute guide to the trivial, dainty, little plaything that is the Carling Cup. Come on, it’s not like any kid grew up dreaming of scoring the winner on a cold Tuesday in February is it? Third round ties on Tuesday and Wednesday evening.
The last five Carling Cup Winners: Chelsea, Man Utd, Chelsea, Tottenham, Man Utd.
Reasons to watch the Carling Cup this week: There’s very little else on.
The successful scorers for United in last year’s shoot out: Giggs, Tevez, Ronaldo and Anderson.
Reasons to watch the Carling Cup this week: There were 52 goals scored in the 16 third round ties in 2008/09 and half of them went to extra time.
Teams Burnley beat in the competition last season: Bury, Oldham, Fulham, Chelsea, Arsenal and Spurs.
Reasons to watch the Carling Cup this week: The Premiership can get soooo serious.
Premiership teams that lost in the third round 12 months ago: Fulham, Portsmouth, Everton, West Ham, Middlesbrough, Aston Villa, Newcastle.
Reasons to watch the Carling Cup this week: Just watch it already!
Arsenal v West Brom
Hard to tell who will feature for the Gunner’s but they will probably have a combined age of 30. Wilshere, Ramsey and the other school boys will look great, West Brom will play some delightful stuff but, ultimately, still get stuffed 3-0.
Leeds v Liverpool
Leeds lead League 1 (say that three times fast), beat Championship outfit Watford in the last round and have won every home game to date this season. Liverpool have lost to the eventual losing finalists in each of the last three years but won’t lose this one. A hard fought 2-1 victory for Benitez’ men.
Preston v Tottenham
Made the playoffs last term under the charge of Alan Irvine, a David Moyes disciple, and sit in 4th spot right now. Front pairing Jon Parkin and Neil Mellor (3 goals apiece so far) could give a depleted Spurs defence fits. Tottenham, finalists the last two seasons, thrashed Doncaster 5-1 in the last round but have still yet to keep a clean sheet this season. I’d like to see some upsets and Deepdale could be home to one of them. 2-1 Preston.