Round 3 of the Capital One Cup is upon us, with eleven ties across the country, including three all Premier League meetings.
And with some of the top-flight sides expected to give some of their best youth prospects a go, there may even be a few upsets on the cards.
Burnley v Nottingham Forest
The Clarets will be looking to continue the good form that sees them sitting pretty in 2nd in the Championship.
Forest’s Billy Davis made eleven changes to his starting XI in their Round 2 victory over Millwall and is expected to do the same in Round 3.
Fulham v Everton
Unbeaten Everton will fancy their chances against a Fulham side that hasn’t won at home since April.
However, both sides don’t have a great recent history in this competition. The Cottagers have not progressed past Round 3 since 2004, while Roberto Martinez’s Everton have reached Round 4 just once in the last 25 years.
Hull v Huddersfield
Hull will not want to compromise their good start to the season with a cup run and Steve Bruce should make a number of changes to the team that won away to Newcastle at the weekend.
Huddersfield have also enjoyed a good start to their campaign and, with a game against Blackpool on Friday, manager Mark Robins has admitted he’ll be ringing the changes for the trip to the KC Stadium.
Leicester City v Derby County
Three-time League Cup winners Leicester have won six of their last seven meetings with Derby and are currently enjoyed a rich vein of form with just one loss from their opening ten matches this season.
Derby’s unbeaten away form this season has surprised many and, having found the net 13 times in their last four League Cup matches, could provide a much different challenge to the hosts than the one that saw them lose 1-0 in this Championship fixture earlier in the season.
Manchester City v. Wigan Athletic
Wigan’s Europa League campaign means their schedule this season is fully packed with games, so a cup run in the Capital One Cup could be yet another chance for silverware for Owen Coyle and his Latics side.
Manuel Pellegrini’s men will still be buoyant after their demolition of arch-rivals United on Sunday and will be confident of a first Capital One Cup win at the Etihad in three attempts.
Southampton v Bristol City
Bristol City disposed of Crystal Palace in Round 2 and travel to Southampton for their first appearance in Round 3 since 2003/2004.
Southampton made several changes in their Round 2 victory over Barnsley and are expected to do the same again against a City side who are still searching for their first win in League One this season.
Sunderland v Peterborough
Kevin Ball will take charge of the Black Cats for this fixture after Paolo Di Canio was shown the door at the weekend.
Sunderland’s only win this season came in the previous round against MK Dons, and Peterborough will want to capitalise on the current unrest at the Stadium of Light, particularly after their impressive 6-0 win over Reading in Round 2.
Swindon v Chelsea
Chelsea are favourites to win this year’s Capital One Cup and Jose Mourinho may have one eye on winning a third League Cup title for the Blues after his previous two triumphs in 2005 and 2007.
Swindon’s inconsistent start to the season may continue here, but they have not lost at home since February and might fancy their chances of an upset if they can catch Mourinho’s men off guard.
Aston Villa v Tottenham Hotspur
Andre Villas-Boas is expected to make several changes to the side that won at Cardiff City on Sunday and record signing Erik Lamela could get his first start for Spurs since signing in the summer.
Christian Benteke and Gabby Agbonlahor are both injured for Villa and Paul Lambert is expected to make several changes to his side as he tries to end a five-game streak without a win against Spurs at Villa Park.
Watford v Norwich City
Watford are on a high after their 5-1 demolition of Barnsley on Saturday and will be confident of a win over Premier League Norwich, who have managed just one goal in their four matches.
Gianfranco Zola’s side are unbeaten at Vicarage Road so far this season and have lost just one of their last eight meetings with the Canaries.
West Ham v Cardiff City
These sides meet for the second time already this season after the Hammers ran out 2-0 winners on the opening day of the Premier League season, making it four wins in a row without conceding against the Bluebirds.
Hammers manager Sam Allardyce has admitted there will be several changes to the side that lost to Everton on Saturday, as he celebrates his 100th game as West Ham manager.
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