Chelsea drift for EFL Cup after drawing Premier League champions
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There are four all-Premier League ties in round three of the EFL Cup, with one of Leicester and Chelsea certain to fall in the most glamorous of them.
Having sneaked past Bristol Rovers in round two, Antonio Conte’s Blues found themselves split in a four-way favouritism for the trophy, but a showdown with the top-flight’s reigning champions has seen them drift from 7/1, to 8/1 for glory.
Claudio Ranieri’s charges took four points off Chelsea last season, and although the Londoners have begun the 2016/17 campaign in perfect fashion, while Leicester have stuttered, a trip to the King Power Stadium is one of the toughest outcomes they could have wished for.
Despite a less-than straightforward match-up with 2013 EFL Cup winners Swansea at the Liberty Stadium, holders Manchester City are still 7/1 to retain their trophy, having begun life under Pep Guardiola in very impressive fashion with four wins in all competitions.
The new joint favourites for the competition are bitter rivals Liverpool and Manchester United – at 13/2 apiece.
Jurgen Klopp returns to Derbyshire to play Championship opposition once again, hoping his Reds can build on a 5-0 demolition job of Burton by defeating Nigel Pearson’s goal-shy Rams.
League One Northampton, who have recent history of upsetting Liverpool at Anfield i this cup, have the opportunity for another famous third-round scalp, when they take on Jose Mourinho’s star-studded United at Sixfields.
Meanwhile, Arsenal and Tottenham will fancy their chances of defeating Nottingham Forest away and Gillingham at home respectively – with both north London powerhouses shortening to 7s.
More value could lurk with West Ham however. The Irons have a favourable home draw with League Two Accrington Stanley – the lowest team left in it – and we make them 14/1 chances to land the season’s first silverware.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
