fThis week brings a plethora of football for you with League Cup quarter finals, FA Cup replays and action from the Bundesliga. In the League Cup, League 1 Sheffield United host Southampton whilst in the FA Cup, three non-league sides, Chester, Aldershot Town and Worcester City will all have their sights set on the third round as they play in second round replays this week. With all that excitement there is likely to be plenty of cup drama and we fancy plenty of goals too!
Tuesday 16th December
- Derby County v Chelsea (4/5 with Ladbrokes) – We start with a look at Derby County against Chelsea. Steve McClaren’s side have been very impressive this season and they sit top of the league going into the weekend’s fixtures, having been particularly strong at home. With both teams top of their respective divisions, players may well be rested as both managers focus on maintaining their title charge and this could make for an interesting match as fringe players do their best to impress. Chelsea have already struggled against lower league opposition once in the cup this season and they could well find Derby a difficult nut to crack.
- Sheffield United v Southampton (5/6 with Ladbrokes) – Another manager who may choose to rest players is Ronald Koeman, with his side already suffering from injuries he can ill afford any more if they are to maintain their push for European football. They face a Sheffield United side who have become cup specialists in recent years, reaching the semi-finals of the FA Cup last year, and they could pull another giant-killing out of the hat on Tuesday given half a chance.
Wednesday 17th December 2014
- Borussia Dortmund v Wolfsburg (8/15 with Bet365) – Despite their lowly position, Borussia Dortmund go in to this match as favourites. Whilst that may be disputable, we certainly think they’re capable of troubling a Wolfsburg side who are pushing for a Champions League slot. Jurgen Klopp’s side appear to have turned a corner and this will be a close yet open match and both sides have players capable of hitting the back of the net.
- Bournemouth v Liverpool (4/5 with Ladbrokes) – This match has got goals written all over it, with a Liverpool side who have scored in 14 of their last 15 League Cup quarter final ties travelling to an in form Bournemouth outfit who will be sniffing a famous cupset. This will be a close match and Bournemouth have already knocked out Premier League West Bromwich Albion and Brendan Rodgers will be very aware that his side could be on the wrong end of a result that would heap yet more pressure his way.
- Cordoba v Granada (21/20 with Ladbrokes) – Only two points separate these two sides in the league and with Granada triumphing at home 1-0 in the first leg, Cordoba will be doing all they can to overturn that deficit and 21/20 does look like a particularly good set of odds for two well matched sides.
- Lyon v Monaco (17/20) – The glamour tie of the Coupe de la Ligue sees Monaco travel to Lyon. The side from the principality joined Paris St. Germain in the knockout stages of the Champions League and they will put up a tough fight against a Lyon team who have in form Anthony Lacazette leading the line for them.
- Tottenham Hotspur v Newcastle United (3/4 with Ladbrokes) – Both sides will be aware that this competition represents a very real opportunity for silverware and so both will likely play fairly strong teams. Newcastle have won two from two at the Lane, but with only two points separating the sides in the league, this looks set to be a very exciting clash.