Carling Cup - Quarter Finals

[admin]

The Carling Cup quarter finals take place midweek. The round features two heavyweight clashes: Chelsea vs Liverpool and Arsenal vs Manchester City. In the other two quarters, Cardiff City play Blackburn while Manchester United host Crystal Palace. The Carling Cup can be tricky for punters because the larger sides tend to field weakened or second string teams. The competition doesn't have the same appeal as the FA Cup, so many clubs don't make it a priority. Blackburn is currently fighting for its Premier League life, while Cardiff City are in the midst of a promotion battle in the Championship, so it remains to be seen how committed they are to the fixture. Crystal Palace have been fielding second string players in previous Carling Cup rounds, but with Manchester United as their opponents, it will be interesting to see if they go full strength. In any event it is worth checking the team sheets before committing to wagers.

For Foxtel Sports subscribers, Chelsea vs Liverpool and Arsenal vs Manchester City will be broadcast live at 6:30 AM on Wednesday, while Manchester United vs Crystal Palace will be aired live at 6:30 AM on Thursday. bet365 members will be able to watch the Chelsea vs Liverpool game live online, while live audio will be provided for Arsenal vs Manchester City and Manchester United vs Crystal Palace.

Below are the latest odds (subject to change):

[pominoz]

Will hold off until I know the selected squads. Man Utd have a staggering amount of depth so they should be too good for Crystal Palace regardless. Would be tempted by Man Utd to win to nill.

[admin]

I can confirm Manchester United will field a second string team:

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/3964500/Manchester-United-v-Crystal-Palace-Carling-Cup-preview.html

ALEX FERGUSON has promised to give youth a chance when Manchester United take on Crystal Palace in their Carling Cup quarter-final on Wednesday.

While Ferguson's side go into the Old Trafford clash unbeaten in their last seven games across all competitions, two disappointing home draws in the last two at home give the Championship side some hope.

Fergie has named a second-string side in United's previous rounds, securing a 3-0 win at rivals Leeds and winning by the same scoreline at Aldershot Town.


And that could see the likes of midfielders Ravel Morrison and Paul Pogba given a run-out, along with frontmen Biram Diouf and Federico Macheda.


Fergie said: "There will be complete change. Just the same as we had at Leeds and Aldershot.

....

Dougie Freedman's Palace — who beat Crawley Town, Wigan, Middlesbrough and Southampton en route — have not won in their last five games and come into the game on the back of a 0-0 draw against Millwall.

But while they have not scored for an incredible 485 MINUTES there is an extra incentive for some of his talented youngsters to impress in front of the TV cameras.


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Interestingly a survey of Crystal Palace fans found that currently over 50% of them (200+ votes) are tipping a 0-0 draw.

http://www.cpfc.org/league/view//index.php?cmd=matchpreds&matchid=20&date=2011-11-30%2019:45:00

[admin]

BBC Previews for each fixture:

Chelsea vs Liverpool:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/15831951.stm

Cardiff City vs Blackburn:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/15831896.stm

Arsenal vs Manchester City:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/15832027.stm

Manchester United vs Crystal Palace:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/15850177.stm