Exeter 10.0 v Liverpool 1.4; The Draw 5.2
With no European football to speak of at Anfield this season Liverpool enter the Carling Cup at the second round stage for the first time in over a decade. Although Jamie Carragher describing the game against Exeter as 'massive' may be a little over the top, with a big squad at his disposal Kenny Dalglish will be keen to do well in domestic cup competitions this season.
Expect the likes of Dirk Kuyt, Maxi Rodriguez, Jay Spearing, Raul Meireles and Martin Kelly all to feature in a changed but strong Liverpool side at St James' Park.
Unfortunately for those who enjoy an old-fashioned giant killing, with just one point from their opening four league matches Exeter aren't in a position to cause an upset against a Liverpool side containing that amount of quality.
The south coast club have failed to score a first half goal all season making Liverpool/Liverpool in the Half Time/Full Time market the standout bet of the night at odds of 2.0 on
betfair.
Everton 1.45 v Sheff Utd 8.4; The Draw 5.0
Everton got off to their customary slow start to the season with defeat to QPR at the weekend. A result that led captain Phil Neville to ask Everton fans to 'stick with us' as discontent regarding the lack of transfer activity continues to grow at Goodison Park.
Defeat against League One opposition is not an option for David Moyes and he'll be keen to put out a strong side in order to avoid any further negativity towards the club.
The Blades have been rejuvenated under new manager Danny Wilson and have begun life in English football's third tier positively. However, Everton beat Huddersfield 5-0 at this stage of last year's competition and I'm expecting a similar drubbing for United here.
Back The Toffees to show the gulf in class between the two teams by backing Any Unquoted in the Correct Score market at odds of 7.0.
Blackburn 1.62 v Sheff Wed 6.2; The Draw 4.1
Blackburn are another side who have made a poor start to the Premier League season and can ill afford being knocked out of the Carling Cup by lower league opposition.
Fortunately for Steve Kean, they come against a poor Sheffield Wednesday side this midweek. The Owls progressed to this stage of the competition with a penalty shootout win over Blackpool following a dire 120 minutes of goalless football. In the league they've won two and lost two, but both their losses have come away from Hillsborough with wins coming on home soil.
I don't expect this to be one for the football purists but I do expect Rovers to have more than enough to sew up the win in 90 minutes. Back a Blackburn win at odds of 1.62.
Bolton 1.35 v Macclesfield 10.0; The Draw 6.0
Bolton have made an impressive start to their domestic campaign, following up a 4-0 opening day win over QPR with a spirited 3-2 defeat at home to Manchester City.
Owen Coyle has used his pre-match press conference to stress that he is serious about the cup competitions this season, but will use the early rounds to field players who are on the periphery of the first choice XI.
Macclesfield have recovered form a slow start in League Two by beating Hereford 4-0 last midweek and earning a home draw against promotion hopefuls Bristol Rovers. They earned their place in the Carling Cup second round with an impressive 2-0 away win against Hull, showing that they are capable of causing one or two problems for Bolton this Wednesday.
The Silkmen have yet to concede a first half goal this season and can go into the break at least level here. Although I expect that Bolton will ultimately prevail there is value in laying The Trotters in the half time market at odds of 1.8.
