After a thrilling weekend of FA Cup action, we are now down the nitty gritty of the Carabao Cup as the last eight teams in the competition aim to reach the semi-finals. Here’s everything you need to know about the quarters.
Newcastle United v Leicester City
Where: St James’ Park
When: Tuesday January 10, 8pm
TV Channel: Sky Sports Main Event
Newcastle might be sitting pretty in the Premier League but Eddie Howe’s side were humiliated at the hands of League One Sheffield Wednesday at the weekend, to the dismay of many fans. The Magpies haven’t done well in cup competitions for over a decade and after another miserable showing in the FA Cup, all attention turns to the Carabao Cup.
They host a Leicester City side that avoided an upset of their own on Saturday, as they came out 1-0 winners at Gillingham thanks to Kelechi Iheanacho’s second half goal. Brendan Rodgers has turned the Foxes into a fine cup team during his tenure, with the FA Cup success in 2021 the highlight of his reign so far.
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- Man Utd are 11/4 to win the Carabao Cup with Betfred*
James Maddison is out of this game, just as he was when Leicester were battered 3-0 by Newcastle at the King Power on Boxing Day. Rodgers will be desperate to exact revenge, while the Magpies will be left disgruntled should they exit both cup competitions in a matter of days.
Last Carabao Cup result: Newcastle 1-0 Bournemouth, MK Dons 0-3 Leicester
Sportsman Stat: Newcastle lost their last seven League Cup quarter-finals (1995-2021) and they haven’t won one since they went all the way to the final in 1977.
Betfred Odds: Newcastle 4/7, Draw 3/1, Leicester 5/1
Manchester United v Charlton Athletic
Where: Old Trafford
When: Tuesday January 10, 8pm
TV Channel: Not on UK TV, Live on TalkSPORT Radio.
Manchester United have a huge chance of winning their first major trophy since 2017. Against League One opposition at home, they are huge favourites to make the semi-final while they also progressed to the Fourth Round of the FA Cup with a 3-1 win over Everton. The clouds look to be lifting on the red half of Manchester and a trophy plus a top four finish would get Ten Hag’s tenure off to a flyer.
Wout Weghorst is being targeted by the Red Devils to fill their forward void, but for now they are doing just fine with what they have as Marcus Rashford continues to flourish. This should be relatively straightforward against the Addicks, who sit 12th in League One.
They weren’t in FA Cup action this weekend, but instead enjoyed a 2-1 win over Lincoln City, a result that has seen them win both of their games in 2023 so far. They reached this stage with a penalty shootout win at home over Brighton and Hove Albion and new boss Dean Holden, who replaced Ben Garner just before Christmas, appears to have lifted spirits around the Valley.
However, this is going to be a huge ask for the former Bristol City boss.
Last Carabao Cup result: Manchester United 2-0 Burnley, Charlton* 0-0 Brighton
*Charlton won on penalties.
Sportsman Stat: The last time Man Utd went five seasons without winning a major trophy, (1977-1982), they ended that spell by winning the FA Cup and finishing as runners-up in the League Cup in 1982-83, all while coming third in the league. Will history repeat itself?
Betfred Odds: Man Utd 1/9, Draw 8/1, Charlton 18/1
Nottingham Forest v Wolverhampton Wanderers
Where: City Ground
When: Wednesday January 11, 7.45pm
TV Channel: Not on UK TV, Live on TalkSPORT Radio.
Steve Cooper will be desperate for a reaction from his side after his 11 changes for the FA Cup tie with Blackpool backfired, as they were humiliated 4-1. The boss is still getting to grips with his squad that has suffered a fair amount of injuries and it seems those fringe players did not take the chance presented to them this weekend.
Expect a return to action for the first XI here, as the four-time winners of the League Cup strive to make it to another semi-final. This is their first League Cup quarter-final since 1993/94, so they have already exceeded expectation, but then again this tie provides a wonderful opportunity.
Julen Lopetegui learnt about the magic and mystery of the FA Cup at Anfield as his side had to settle for a 2-2 draw, despite thinking they’d won it late on. That disallowed goal will sting, but they look a far more competitive outfit under their new Spanish boss. Getting away from relegation is the primary concern for both of these teams, but a cup semi-final could breathe new confidence into either squad.
Last Carabao Cup result: Blackburn Rovers 1-4 Nottingham Forest, Wolves 2-0 Gillingham
Sportsman Stat: Only Manchester United and Manchester City have retained the League Cup since Nottingham Forest won it in 1989 and 1990.
Betfred Odds*: Forest 13/8, Draw 11/5, Wolves 9/5
Southampton v Manchester City
Where: St Mary’s Stadium
When: Wednesday January 11, 8pm
TV Channel: Sky Sports Main Event
Nathan Jones can’t buy a win in the Premier League. Since his arrival, Saints have lost four from four in the top flight, yet the cups have provided some respite for the Welsh boss. He secured a 2-1 win over Lincoln City to get Southampton to the last eight and in the FA Cup they came from 1-0 down to beat Crystal Palace 2-1 away from home, albeit with two rather fortuitous goals.
This, however, is his toughest test by a country mile so far. Man City are coming off the back of two comfortable wins over Chelsea, with a 4-0 win in the FA Cup the first sign that Pep Guardiola’s team might be hitting top gear. This is the time of year they tend to do just that and having won this competition four times in a row between 2018 and 2021, the boss clearly takes it very seriously.
Surely this one is only going to end one way.
Last Carabao Cup result: Man City 3-2 Liverpool, Southampton 2-1 Lincoln
Sportsman Stat: Man City have won five of the last seven Carabao Cups and have only lost one game in normal time in the competition in that time period, a 1-0 loss to Manchester United at Old Trafford in 2016.
Betfred Odds*: Southampton 11/1, Draw 5/1, Man City 1/4
*18+ | BeGambleAware | Odds Subject To Change
