Things are starting to get serious in the League Cup, the English League Cup. Starting in the second round, the 11 Premier League teams that are not involved in European competitions will make their appearance, in addition to those that have passed the first round, of course. Among the top-flight clubs taking to the field in today’s round of matches—single-elimination games, with penalties in the event of a tie and no extra time—is newly promoted Sunderland: one win and one defeat so far for the Black Cats, who won their opening game against West Ham (3-0) and were beaten away by Burnley (2-0) last weekend.
The team coached by Frenchman Regis Le Bris in the League Cup hosts Huddersfield, a club from League One, the third tier of English football. The Terriers have had a flying start, winning four of their first five league games and losing only to Blackpool.
Their goal-conceding record is impressive: only three goals, all conceded in the same game. In the cup, however, Huddersfield has already taken the scalp of a higher-ranked club, Leicester, which was surprisingly eliminated after a penalty shootout. For Sunderland, therefore, it may not be a walk in the park, considering Le Bris’s turnover and the fact that the Black Cats have never won in their last three previous matches. In short, qualification should come, but it cannot be ruled out that Huddersfield will manage to score at least one goal. Birmingham are also likely to progress in the League Cup: the Blues have started well in the Championship and are likely to have no trouble disposing of Port Vale, who are still without a win in League One after five games.
Predictions for the other matches
Accrington Stanley, a club playing in League Two, has little chance: Doncaster, which beat the higher-ranked Middlesbrough 4-0 at home in the previous round, is aiming for its third away win of the season: Grant McCann’s men remain inconsistent but will make the difference in the category count.
Finally, in terms of the number of goals scored, keep an eye on Cardiff-Cheltenham, Barnsley-Rotherham, Bournemouth-Brentford – one of two matches, along with Wolverhampton-West Ham, featuring two Premier League teams – and Sheffield Wednesday-Leeds.
League Cup: possible winners
Sunderland (in Sunderland-Huddersfield)
Birmingham (in Birmingham-Port Vale)
Doncaster (in Accrington Stanley-Doncaster)
Matches with at least three goals in total
Cardiff-Cheltenham
Sheffield Wednesday-Leeds
League Cup: matches with at least one goal per team
Bournemouth-Brentford
Barnsley-Rotherham
Odds comparison
Doncaster’s victory is quoted at 1.60 on Goldbet, Lottomatica, and Snai. A “Goal” in Bournemouth-Brentford is quoted at 1.55 on Goldbet and Lottomatica and at 1.50 on Snai.