Spursaim to end 16-yr trophy drought as they welcome City
Aiming to end their 16-year trophy drought, Tottenham Hotspur will welcome English champions Manchester City to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for an EFL Cup fourth-round clash on Wednesday night.
Tottenham will be looking to bounce back following a loss at Crystal Palace on Sunday.
Following back-to-back wins in North London over West Ham United and AZ Alkmaar since the return of club football after the international break, Tottenham’s early-season inconsistency reared its ugly head once again on Sunday afternoon, when the Lilywhites handed Crystal Palace their maiden win of the campaign.
Despite facing English and European powerhouses Manchester City in a last-16 tie, this competition arguably represents the best chance for Spurs to lift their first piece of major silverware since the EFL Cup final triumph of 2008.
Since the 1-1 draw at St James’ Park on September 28, Manchester City have enjoyed a flawless October schedule, winning five straight contests across the Premier League and Champions League, including a one-goal success over relegation-threatened Southampton at the Etihad on the weekend.
With Manchester City set to include a number of academy players in their squad, Tottenham will sense the opportunity to book their spot in the quarter-finals on Wednesday night.
Credit: sportsmole.co.uk
Pep Guardiola, Manchester City
Newcastle, Chelsea lock horns at St James’ Park
Three days after their Stamford Bridge showdown, Newcastle United and Chelsea will lock horns at St James’ Park as they fight for a place in the quarter-finals of the EFL Cup.
Newcastle will be striving to build some momentum, following a worrying start to the campaign, whilst the Blues are aiming to continue their excellent early-season form by the way of a fourth-round success in this competition.
Newcastle are now in the midst of a five-game winless streak on English football’s top table, concerning form that was worsened by a narrow defeat to the Blues at Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon.
Last lifting a major trophy in 1955, Saudi-backed Newcastle will view the EFL Cup as an excellent opportunity to end their silverware drought, with Wednesday’s hosts failing to win this competition in the past despite making final appearances in the 1975-76 and 2022-23 seasons.
After losing 2-1 to title challengers Liverpool at Anfield earlier in the month, Chelsea have returned to winning ways in both the Conference League and on the domestic scene.
As shown during the early stages of their Conference League campaign, Chelsea have an embarrassment of riches in attacking areas and should have enough quality to squeeze past the Magpies and into the quarter-finals.
Credit: sportsmole.co.uk
Enzo Maresca, Chelsea
Brighton and Liverpool Kick off double-header
Kicking off a double-header of head-to-heads, Brighton and Liverpool clash in the fourth round of the EFL Cup at the Amex on Wednesday evening, a few days before also crossing paths in the Premier League.
The Reds got the defence of their crown off to a flying start with a 5-1 crushing of West Ham United in round three, while Brighton edged a five-goal thriller with Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Liverpool’s 100% away record under coach Arne Slotcame to an end on Sunday evening, although their gripping 2-2 Premier League draw with Arsenal – where they came back from a goal down twice to steal a share of the spoils – should have had the feeling of one point gained rather than two dropped.
Brighton have an EFL Cup monkey to get off their back this week, as they have been beaten in each of their last five fourth-round games in the tournament – including three in a row from 2020-21 to 2022-23 – and have not been past this point since reaching the 1978-79 quarter-finals.
The hosts’ applaudable Amex record against Liverpool may stand them in good stead, though, as they have avoided defeat in each of their last three home matches versus the.
The Reds have become away-day specialists during Slot’s short time at the helm and should remain on course for back-to-back EFL Cup trophy lifts, even if any victory on Wednesday is not as emphatic as the travelling faithful might wish for.
Credit: sportsmole.co.uk
Arne Slot, Liverpool
Man United host Leicester after sacking Erik ten Hag
For the first time since the sacking of Erik ten Hag, Manchester United will take to the field as they welcome Leicester City to Old Trafford for an EFL Cup fourth-round clash on Wednesday night.
The Red Devils are looking to build some momentum following a loss at West Ham United on Sunday, whilst the Foxes will be ready for much-needed respite from a relegation fight in the Premier League.
After over two years in charge at the Theatre of Dreams, Ten Hag’s era as manager of Manchester United has come to an end, with the Dutchman’s time on the red side of the city characterised by domestic cup joy intertwined with serious struggles on the Premier League and continental stage.
Manchester United have significantly stuttered during the opening months of the current season, winning just three of their first nine matches at English football’s top table.
Man United has arguably failed to showcase a clear identity, leaving the club’s hierarchy no choice but to pursue coaching change.
Former Red Devils bagsman Ruud Van Nistelrooy will take interim charge of Man United until a permanent successor is appointed.
Interim boss Van Nistelrooy will be desperate to impress his employers as Man United face Leicester.
Credit: sportsmole.co.uk
Marus Rashord, Manchester United
Last 16 Fixtures
Brighton & Hove Albion 19:30 Liverpool
Aston Villa 19:45 Crystal Palace
Manchester United 19:45 Leicester City
Preston North End 19:45 Arsenal
Tottenham Hotspur 20:15 Manchester City
