BLACK CATS can pounce on weakened Chelsea

Man City and Chelsea are the joint 3-1 favourites as we reach the last eight stage of the League Cup. Here is the first part of our quarter-final guide as we look at the pair of games scheduled to take place on the Tuesday (17th).

The SKY cameras will be at the Stadium of Light (19:45) to watch Sunderland take on Chelsea and the visitors from London are the 4/7 (BETVICTOR/CORAL/WINNER) favourites for the game. The Blues have won each of their last eight at the Stadium of Light including edging a seven goal thriller here in December. The London side might be popular as they have won 12 of their last 16 games in all competitions. The Black Cats though can take heart from the fact that they have been playing better over recent weeks especially in front of their own fans. I think odds of 23/4 (888 SPORT/unibet) on the home side look generous if you consider that Chelsea will likely rest a few with a busy Christmas schedule in the Premier League to come. Gus Poyet will know that his side need to give the home fans something to cheer after tough start to the season and having pushed the Chelsea first team close a few weeks ago they can push the reserve side also. Take Sunderland/draw double chance at odds of 8/5 (bet365/888 SPORT/unibet).

In addition then it seems silly not to try a little interest in the 3/1 (bet365/BWIN) are offering on the Black Cats to qualify for the last four which will cover progress in the 90 minutes, through extra time or even on penalties. Team news makes a first goalscorer bet difficult though Dembe Ba and Samuel Eto’o are both in line to start the game. Eto’o is 9/2 (paddy Power/SPREADEX/betway) to net the first while Ba is a 6/1 (betway) chance. Sunderland are not blessed with goalscorers though Steven Fletcher at odds of 9/1 (GENERAL) may be their best option.

The other game on Tuesday night (19:45) comes from the King Power Stadium where Leicester play host to Man City. The Championship side are the 8/1 (bet365/SKYBET/CORAL) outsiders for the game as they look to be the latest side to stop a rampant Man City attack. The Foxes though will be hard to break down in front of their own fans where they have lost just once this season. City are likely to have too much strength no matter what side they put out though the 2/5 (GENERAL) in a tournament that is fourth priority for them does not appeal to me at all.

A better bet then might come in one of the side markets where Alvaro Negredo is 15/4 (bet365/WINNER) to net first. The Spaniard has been in great form though is now an established part of the first team and I will be shock to see him start this game. Edin Dzeko looks likely to begin the game and the Bosnian is 4/1 (Bet365/ladbrokes/WINNER) to grab the opener. Those looking for Leicester player to get among the goals can back Dave Nugent at 10/1 (GENERAL) while Jamie Vardy is a 12/1 (paddy Power) chance.

The best bet is the YES in the both teams to score market which can be backed at 10/11 (ladbrokes). City have so much firepower it seems impossible to think that they will not score here. Leicester though are also capable of getting among the goals as they have scored 23 in their last 11 home games, an average of just over two per game. City meanwhile have shipped eight in their last four games, an average of two per game.

BEST OF THE BETS

GOLD: Sunderland/draw double chance v Chelsea, 8/5 (BET365/888 SPORT/unibet)
SILVER: Sunderland to qualify for the semi-finals 3/1 (BET365/BWIN)
BRONZE: BOTH teams to score Leicester v Man City, 10/11 (ladbrokes)

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17/12/2013     © Frixo 2026