Swoop down on the early value on the Canaries to win the League Cup

Finalists last season Bradford are 750/1 (BETVICTOR) to go one better and win the League Cup this season. The draw for the first round took place today (Monday 17th June) and sees the Bantams begin their campaign with an away game to Huddersfield. Can they go back to Wembley this season? Here is our guide to the best of the early outright value.

Bookmakers are unsure as to which of the big trio (Man Utd, Chelsea and Man City) should be favourite for the League Cup with all three available around the 7/1 (GENERAL) mark.

I see no value in backing any of them at these prices as just one of the last four and two of the last six winners have been sides involved in the Champions League that season. This trophy is low on the priority list for the big sides.

This discounts Arsenal who are 10/1 (BETVICTOR) with the same firm going 10/1 on Tottenham and Liverpool as well. Both could go well though a desire to finish in the top four might hinder this. As it might do with Everton at 20/1 (bet365/SKYBET/188 BET) after Roberto Martinez promised them a run at the top four. Defending champions Swansea (50/1-sportingbet/CORAL) will likely be distracted by Europé this season and are not value to successfully defend the trophy.

The advice then is to look at teams in the mid/bottom half of the Premier League who think of this as their best chance to win a trophy. I think you can discount the three promoted sides as they will be fully commited to surviving in the Premier League. This leaves a number of teams at price of 40/1 and above and the three that appeal to me are Sunderland, Aston Villa and Norwich. Villa were the beaten semi-finalists last season while Sunderland under Paulo Di Canio will be up for the cups. Of the three it is the Canaries at the bigger price who appeal most to me at 80/1 (CORAL). Coral are not going each-way so you might want to find some way of covering on them to reach the final. Further down the line The Canaries are a solid well organized side with a strong defence and good home form who registered wins over Man City, Man Utd, Arsenal and Tottenham last season.

It also makes sense to take a few sides at much bigger prices as Bradford showed last season you can get shock finalists. I would look at Championship sides as in four of the last five years at least one non Premier League side has reached the last four. You may get another Bradford (from League Two) though it is more likely to be a side from the second tir of English football.

I like the look of Bournemouth at 200/1 (bet365/STAN JAMES) and Yeovil at 500/1 (bet365/SKYBET). Let us start with Yeovil who are are the same price as Rotherham. Gary Johnson will have his side hungry for every game and nobody will like a visit to the small and intimidating Huish Park. A trip to Southend in the first round should hold no fears. Bournemouth have a first round home draw with Portsmouth which should represent no major worries and the big spenders wil prove difficult opponents for anyone.

BEST OF THE BETS

GOLD: Norwich to win the League Cup, 80/1 (CORAL)
SILVER: Bournemouth EW to win the League Cup, 200/1 (bet365/STAN JAMES)
BRONZE: Yeovil EW to win the League Cup, 500/1 (BET365/SKYBET)

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20/06/2013     © Frixo 2026