The third round of the Carling Cup offers some tantalising fixtures between big name clubs, and fantasy match ups for smaller teams.
The English Carling Cup action gets underway when Tottenham Spurs host North London rivals Arsenal. New Aston Villa boss Gerard Houllier will finally make his highly anticipated debut, since taking over as manager from Martin O’Neill. Manchester United's rags-to-riches signing Bébé will likely debut against Scunthorpe. Roy Hodgson wil have a chance to test his new squad as Liverpool host Northampton Town. Ancelotti will likely give the bench and the fringe squad a run as Chelsea host Newcastle United.
Tottenham host Arsenal at White Hart Lane, and their seventh League Cup encounter is expected to be fiercely contested. A desperate chase for silverware is on for the both clubs, with Spurs looking more aggressive for the tie having announced the team will play several senior players, while Arsenal will likely field a reserve side.
Spurs manager Harry Redknapp could debut new Dutch signing Rafael van der Vaart in the Carling Cup, to play alongside first team players Roman Pavyluchenko and Niko Kranjcar. Arsenal’s policy of giving their inexperienced players a chance at cup competition will worry Gunners fans currently low on morale now that several stars are out injured.
Untested Arsenal players will see this as a chance to audition in front of manager Arsene Wenger for first team play. Tottenham’s squad selection positions the club as favourites heading into the derby, and home pitch advantage will have Spurs fans expecting nothing less than victory. A win for Arsenal will only reinforce Wenger’s belief in his approach, and bring lesser known players to the forefront.
Sunderland host West Ham at the Stadium of Light. The match is the fourth occasion the teams have met in the League Cup, with the victories shared evenly.
The Black Cats are missing several key players; however, Sunderland manager Steve Bruce will be looking to start his big summer signing Asamoah Gyan in a forward role. West Ham have only won once since the start of the season, and manager Avram Grant will be looking to rectify the situation.
Sunderland have lost only one game so far this season, and the Black Cats will be confident after their late draw against Arsenal over the weekend. The Hammers will be bolstered in defense with the expected return of Tal Ben Haim from a knee injury.
Stoke City host Fulham at the Britannia Stadium, with both sides making wholesale changes to their starting line-ups. The sides last met in the Carling Cup in 1994, and Stoke won the tie.
Stoke may rest several key players injured in last weekend’s league action. Winger Jermaine Pennant and forward Kenwyne Jones are two key players expected not to start. Striker Eidur Gudjohnsen is likely to replace Jones in attack.
Fulham are missing two important defensive players in Fredrik Stoor and Rafik Halliche, both due to injuries. Club manager Mark Hughes is still trying to assert his own reputation at the club, after the summer departure of Roy Hodgson to Liverpool.
Scunthorpe host Manchester United at Glanford Park. Manchester United expect an easy outing, having won the Carling Cup four times with three of the titles won in the past five years.
The Red Devils will be resting several key players, but manager Sir
Alex Ferguson has plenty of experienced players still to choose from. Striker Michael Owen and defender Gary Neville are expected to play, alongside new summer recruit Javier Hernandez.
Scunthorpe manager Ian Baraclough is overseeing his third game in charge of the squad. Baraclough’s team has one win and one defeat during his brief tenure. The Iron will be hoping to give as good as they get, having scored in nine of their last ten Carling Cup games.
Chelsea play Newcastle United at Stamford Bridge, with the Magpies possibly befitting from the home side’s plans to field younger players. The Blues have beaten Newcastle in all four previous Carling Cup encounters, the last of which was played in 2006.
Defender John terry and midfielder Frank Lampard are still out injured for Chelsea, and Newcastle will be missing goalkeeper Steve Harper. Newcastle could play new summer signing Sol Campbell in defense, and Blues manager Carlo Ancelotti knows his squad has the depth needed to secure a win.
Chelsea are in fantastic form with six consecutive wins in league and cup action, while Newcastle have won three of their last six matches. The Magpies will have their work cut out for them, and manager Chris Hughton will be looking to notch the club’s first win at Stamford Bridge since 1986.
Aston Villa host Blackburn at Villa Park, with new manager Gerard Houllier looking to start his reign positively with a win for the home team. Houllier won the cup twice with Liverpool, and will likely play a strong side against Rovers.
Blackburn won the cup in 2002, and manager Sam Allardyce will also field his regular starting line-up. Rovers welcome back midfielder Martin Olsson from injury, but the squad will be missing injured defender Ryan Nelsen.
Villa have won the cup five times. The team will be missing defender Richard Dunne with a possible injury, while winger Stewart Downing is expected to make a return to the side.
West Bromwich host Manchester City, and the home side are hoping to extend their winning ways against City at The Hawthorns to four games. Manchester City will want to continue playing well, and have already won five of their last seven games.
City boss Roberto Mancini is expected to play goalkeeper Shay Given, who has been sidelined so far this season in favour of England number one Joe Hart. Several key players, including Carlos Tevez, will be rested for the match. Defender Wayne Bridge could feature after returning from injury.
Baggies manager Roberto Di Matteo will welcome the return of midfielder Graham Dorrans. West Bromwich have never won the cup, and lost it to Manchester City in the 1970 League Cup final.
Liverpool play Northampton Town at Anfield, and new boss Roy Hodgson will know anything less than a win is unacceptable for the home side. Liverpool has won the Carling Cup seven times, and expectations are high for Hodgson and his side after their loss to Manchester United last weekend.
Northampton have already defeated Reading and Brighton in the competition, and both sides play in leagues above the Cobblers. The match against Liverpool is the first time the sides have met in the Carling Cup.
Liverpool are still missing injured striker Dirk Kuyt and defender Fabio Aurelio. Spanish forward Fernando Torres is having a torrid time in front of goal, and Hodgson will welcome goals from any of his players.
Tottenham host Arsenal at White Hart Lane, and their seventh League Cup encounter is expected to be fiercely contested. A desperate chase for silverware is on for the both clubs, with Spurs looking more aggressive for the tie having announced the team will play several senior players, while Arsenal will likely field a reserve side.
Spurs manager Harry Redknapp could debut new Dutch signing Rafael van der Vaart in the Carling Cup, to play alongside first team players Roman Pavyluchenko and Niko Kranjcar. Arsenal’s policy of giving their inexperienced players a chance at cup competition will worry Gunners fans currently low on morale now that several stars are out injured.
Untested Arsenal players will see this as a chance to audition in front of manager Arsene Wenger for first team play. Tottenham’s squad selection positions the club as favourites heading into the derby, and home pitch advantage will have Spurs fans expecting nothing less than victory. A win for Arsenal will only reinforce Wenger’s belief in his approach, and bring lesser known players to the forefront.
Sunderland host West Ham at the Stadium of Light. The match is the fourth occasion the teams have met in the League Cup, with the victories shared evenly.
The Black Cats are missing several key players; however, Sunderland manager Steve Bruce will be looking to start his big summer signing Asamoah Gyan in a forward role. West Ham have only won once since the start of the season, and manager Avram Grant will be looking to rectify the situation.
Sunderland have lost only one game so far this season, and the Black Cats will be confident after their late draw against Arsenal over the weekend. The Hammers will be bolstered in defense with the expected return of Tal Ben Haim from a knee injury.
Stoke City host Fulham at the Britannia Stadium, with both sides making wholesale changes to their starting line-ups. The sides last met in the Carling Cup in 1994, and Stoke won the tie.
Stoke may rest several key players injured in last weekend’s league action. Winger Jermaine Pennant and forward Kenwyne Jones are two key players expected not to start. Striker Eidur Gudjohnsen is likely to replace Jones in attack.
Fulham are missing two important defensive players in Fredrik Stoor and Rafik Halliche, both due to injuries. Club manager Mark Hughes is still trying to assert his own reputation at the club, after the summer departure of Roy Hodgson to Liverpool.
Scunthorpe host Manchester United at Glanford Park. Manchester United expect an easy outing, having won the Carling Cup four times with three of the titles won in the past five years.
The Red Devils will be resting several key players, but manager Sir
Alex Ferguson has plenty of experienced players still to choose from. Striker Michael Owen and defender Gary Neville are expected to play, alongside new summer recruit Javier Hernandez.
Scunthorpe manager Ian Baraclough is overseeing his third game in charge of the squad. Baraclough’s team has one win and one defeat during his brief tenure. The Iron will be hoping to give as good as they get, having scored in nine of their last ten Carling Cup games.
Chelsea play Newcastle United at Stamford Bridge, with the Magpies possibly befitting from the home side’s plans to field younger players. The Blues have beaten Newcastle in all four previous Carling Cup encounters, the last of which was played in 2006.
Defender John terry and midfielder Frank Lampard are still out injured for Chelsea, and Newcastle will be missing goalkeeper Steve Harper. Newcastle could play new summer signing Sol Campbell in defense, and Blues manager Carlo Ancelotti knows his squad has the depth needed to secure a win.
Chelsea are in fantastic form with six consecutive wins in league and cup action, while Newcastle have won three of their last six matches. The Magpies will have their work cut out for them, and manager Chris Hughton will be looking to notch the club’s first win at Stamford Bridge since 1986.
Aston Villa host Blackburn at Villa Park, with new manager Gerard Houllier looking to start his reign positively with a win for the home team. Houllier won the cup twice with Liverpool, and will likely play a strong side against Rovers.
Blackburn won the cup in 2002, and manager Sam Allardyce will also field his regular starting line-up. Rovers welcome back midfielder Martin Olsson from injury, but the squad will be missing injured defender Ryan Nelsen.
Villa have won the cup five times. The team will be missing defender Richard Dunne with a possible injury, while winger Stewart Downing is expected to make a return to the side.
West Bromwich host Manchester City, and the home side are hoping to extend their winning ways against City at The Hawthorns to four games. Manchester City will want to continue playing well, and have already won five of their last seven games.
City boss Roberto Mancini is expected to play goalkeeper Shay Given, who has been sidelined so far this season in favour of England number one Joe Hart. Several key players, including Carlos Tevez, will be rested for the match. Defender Wayne Bridge could feature after returning from injury.
Baggies manager Roberto Di Matteo will welcome the return of midfielder Graham Dorrans. West Bromwich have never won the cup, and lost it to Manchester City in the 1970 League Cup final.
Liverpool play Northampton Town at Anfield, and new boss Roy Hodgson will know anything less than a win is unacceptable for the home side. Liverpool has won the Carling Cup seven times, and expectations are high for Hodgson and his side after their loss to Manchester United last weekend.
Northampton have already defeated Reading and Brighton in the competition, and both sides play in leagues above the Cobblers. The match against Liverpool is the first time the sides have met in the Carling Cup.
Liverpool are still missing injured striker Dirk Kuyt and defender Fabio Aurelio. Spanish forward Fernando Torres is having a torrid time in front of goal, and Hodgson will welcome goals from any of his players.
