The Carabao Cup enters its quarter-final stage this week as League One’s Charlton Athletic look to pull off a monumental upset against Manchester United.
The Addicks have never progressed past the last eight in this competition and their hopes of ending that run are slim to say the least.
Manchester United are in excellent form having won seven straight games across all competitions. The Red Devils have also scored 12 goals and conceded once in their five fixtures since returning from the World Cup break.
Charlton haven’t beaten United in 18 attempts, with their last triumph coming in 1989 when the likes of Steve Bruce, Paul Ince and Mark Hughes still lined up for Sir Alex Ferguson’s outfit.
Meanwhile, their last win away at Old Trafford came three years prior, back when Ferguson was still at Aberdeen.
The last League One team to make the Carabao Cup quarter-final was Sunderland, who ended up losing 5-1 in a spirited effort against Arsenal in 2021.
We’re expecting a similar outcome at Old Trafford and backing Erik ten Hag’s men to progress with a -2 handicap.
While Manchester United are chasing their first piece of silverware since 2016/17, Newcastle are trying to end a 68-year wait for a major domestic trophy.
Eddie Howe’s men will take on Leicester City for a place in the semi-final, just three days on from a shock FA Cup exit at the hands of Sheffield Wednesday.
The Magpies are still flying high in the Premier League, though their three-match winless run is slightly concerning.
Despite this, Newcastle will be major favourites considering the Foxes have lost three of their last four games – with their sole win coming against Gillingham in the FA Cup.
Bearing in mind the form of both teams, Howe’s men to win by a one-goal margin is our recommendation.
Carabao Cup experts Manchester City will travel to Southampton for their quarter-final on Wednesday.
City were rampant in their 4-0 demolition of Chelsea in the FA Cup on Sunday, despite benching the likes of Erling Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan.
Pep Guardiola’s men are looking to win this competition for the seventh time in 10 years and it’s hard to see how Southampton can possibly stop them from progressing.
Nathan Jones took over the managerial hot seat at St Mary’s last November, though he’s already under pressure having lost four of his six games in charge.
City scored four goals in their last two encounters with Saints, and we’re expecting that trend to continue. With that in mind, the Citizens to bag three or more goals is our tip.
The last of the four games take place at the City Ground as Nottingham Forest take on Wolves.
There’s little to separate both sides heading into Wednesday’s encounter, except a head-to-head record which heavily favours Julen Lopetegui’s side.
Wolves have won five of their last six games against Forest, though considering Steve Cooper’s men are unbeaten at home in six, we should be in for a close game.
The match to be won by a one-goal margin is our betting recommendation.
Key stats
- Charlton are winless vs Man United in 18 games
- Sunderland were the last League One side to make a Carabao Cup quarter-final, which they lost 5-1 vs Arsenal
- Newcastle are unbeaten at home in 12 games across all competitions
- Two of Newcastle’s last three wins have come by a single goal margin
- Southampton have won just one of their last 15 meetings with Man City
- Man City have scored 12 goals in their last five games
- Nottingham Forest are unbeaten at home in six games
Suggested bets
- Man United to beat Charlton with a -2 handicap 20/21
- Man United to score over 2.5 goals 1/2
- Newcastle to beat Leicester by a one-goal margin 5/2
- Newcastle 2-1 Leicester – Correct score 7/1
- Man City to score over 2.5 goals 4/5
- Man City to win to nil 20/21
- Nottingham Forest vs Wolves – match won by a one-goal margin 6/5
- Nottingham Forest vs Wolves – both teams to score 10/11
