Action from the 2024/25 EFL Cup continues this week with nine games taking place across Tuesday and Wednesday in the third round.
Tuesday will see the only teams without a point in the Premier League, EFL or National League go head-to-head as Everton host Southampton at Goodison Park.
Crystal Palace will look to get back to winning ways when they make the short trip to Championship side Queen Park Rangers, while Manchester United will hope to build on their weekend win over Southampton when they host Barnsley.
Wednesday also provides an opportunity for Tottenham Hotspur to put the disappointment of the North London Derby defeat to Arsenal behind them when they travel to Coventry City.
- EVERTON AND SOUTHAMPTON TO DRAW
- CRYSTAL PALACE TO BEAT QPR AND BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE
- MANCHESTER UNITED TO BEAT BARNSLEY AND BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE
- TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR TO BEAT COVENTRY CITY AND BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE
Everton vs Southampton
Winless after their first four games of the Premier League season, Tuesday night’s EFL Cup game offers a welcomed distraction for both Everton and Southampton at Goodison Park.
Three of the last five games between these sides at Goodison have ended in 1-1 draws, including their last EFL Cup meeting in October 2018.
Given their recent struggles in the Premier League this season, this encounter on Merseyside might well have to be decided by the dreaded penalty shootout.
EVERTON AND SOUTHAMPTON TO DRAW
QPR vs Crystal Palace
After two draws against Chelsea and Leicester City, Oliver Glasner’s Crystal Palace will be looking to get back to winning ways at Queens Park Rangers.
Palace blew away Championship opposition in the last round of the EFL Cup with a 4-0 demolition job on Norwich City at Selhurst Park.
Given the Eagles have failed to keep a clean sheet in any of their Premier League games this season, the R’s might have their moments in this game.
Palace should prove too strong and the Eagles to win an end-to-end contest is the way to go here.
CRYSTAL PALACE TO BEAT QPR AND BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE
Bet On The EFL Cup
Manchester United vs Barnsley
Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag needed his side’s win over Southampton at the weekend to ease the pressure and they will be eager to avoid any banana skin against League One Barnsley on Tuesday.
Keeping one clean sheet in their last eight home games in all competitions, visiting teams have been having some joy at Old Trafford of late.
The Tykes might well be able to find the back of the net in this one, but United have the strength in depth to progress without the need for penalties.
MANCHESTER UNITED TO BEAT BARNSLEY AND BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE
Coventry City vs Tottenham
Looking ahead to Wednesday, Ange Postecoglou will be looking for a response from his Tottenham side when they make the trip to Coventry.
Losing 1-0 to rivals Arsenal the weekend on home soil, Spurs were made to pay for not making the most of their dominant phases in the game.
Postecoglou is likely to make changes for the trip to the West Midlands, but the Lilywhites have enough strength in depth to overcome a City side who have won just one of their last 11 Championship games, but who have scored in seven of those matches.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR TO BEAT COVENTRY CITY AND BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE
