The third round draw has provided us with some cracking ties including two great derbies and has given us the possibilities to see some big upsets.
Tottenham Hotspur vs Arsenal
As an Arsenal fan there was only one team that I wanted to be drawn against and the football gods must have been looking out for Arsenal and Tottenham fans everywhere as these two were drawn together in the Third Round. In the last two meetings between the club in this competition Tottenham beat Arsenal 6-2 over 2 legs in the 2008 semi-final and they met in 2010 where Spurs were defeated 4-1 at home so will be out for revenge when the two sides meet on Wednesday. Having been unbeaten in the league against Arsenal last year, Tottenham will be hoping to beat to extend their unbeaten streak to 3 games against the Gunners. Harry Kane and Alexis Sanchez will both be looking for their first goals of the season and there is no better game than this to get your goals. Mertesacker is likely to return in the heart of the Arsenal defence whereas Spurs will likely play both Kane and Son in order to bolster their attacking options. These games are always stressful for both set of fans to watch as both teams are capable of winning the game and with only 1 goalless draw since the start of the new century, goals are clearly going to be in this game. Hopefully it'll be a great game and with Arsenal only winning one of their last five trips to White Hart Lane, Tottenham fans will be hoping to see their side pick up a great victory and Arsenal will be hoping to prove that they are the best team in London. I think Tottenham's lack of attacking options will hurt them in this game and I believe Arsenal will edge the midfield fight and the pace of Walcott and Sanchez will prove vital in Arsenal winning this game.
Woody Predicts : Tottenham Hotspur 1-2 Arsenal
Aston Villa vs Birmingham City
We have to thank the football gods for yet another cracking tie to behold as we get to witness the first Midlands derby between Villa and Birmingham in 6 years. Both clubs have had success in this competition with Birmingham winning the League Cup on two occasions whereas Villa have been victorious 5 times. Birmingham will go into this game having started the league very well this season in contrast to Villa who haven't won since the opening day. Birmingham fans will be optimistic of the win having been unbeaten in the last 3 games against Villa (1 Win 2 Draws) however that was many years ago so may not be a factor in this game. Villa manager Tim Sherwood has revealed that he will only pick players who he believes have the correct mentality going into this game as he knows it will be vital for them not to pick up a red card. Similar to the North London Derby, I don't think home advantage matters as it will be the desire of the players that decides the outcome of the match, which ever team wants it more in these two derbies will come away with a victory. The home side will benefit from having the only two players to have played in this match before in Ciaran Clark and Gabriel Agbonlahor and this could be vital in winning the match. The pace of Demarai Gray and the pace and clinical finishing from striker Clayton Donaldson will certainly be what Villa will have to look out for in this match and for Villa, they will need Rudy Gestede to lead the line and Ciaran Clark and Micah Richards to be strong at the back in order to help keep the Birmingham threats at bay.
Woody Predicts : Aston Villa 2-1 Birmingham City
Liverpool vs Carlisle United
This is only the 4th meeting between these two clubs in their history and the first since Saturday 7th January 1989 in the FA Cup where Liverpool won 3-0 away from home on that day. Carlisle have never scored against their opposition and have conceded 6 but will be hoping for a better result when they visit Anfield. Liverpool are struggling in the league right now and haven't won in 3 games. They had good chances against Norwich but failed to take them and conceded a sloppy goal from a set piece as they drew 1-1. Carlisle have only lost once in the league this season so far and got to this stage by beating League One Chesterfield 3-1 at home in the First Round before beating Championship QPR 2-1 away from home. The question is, can the pattern continue when they play Liverpool? I believe it can and and with Liverpool in bad league form and Carlisle unbeaten in 5 league games, they seem like a team on the rise. I expect to see them show no fear against their Premier League opposition and Ibehre in great form having scored 10 already this season, you would feel as though he is the man to look out for and if he can help Carlisle beat Liverpool, I'm sure he will start to attract attention from bigger clubs. Ibehre has a great chance to add to his goal tally as Liverpool's defence looks sloppy and he will be hoping that he can expose their defensive problems. For Liverpool, Coutinho, Benteke and Sturridge will be key when going forward and fans will hope that they can be the difference makers in this game. Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers is under increasing pressure due to Liverpool's struggles in the league and if they fail to beat Carlisle, I'd expect it to be the final nail in the coffin in his spell in charge of Liverpool.
Woody Predicts : Liverpool 3-2 Carlisle United
Walsall vs Chelsea
This will be the 12th meeting between these two teams and Walsall will be looking for their second win. The last meeting between these sides was in October 1992 at Stamford Bridge where Chelsea were victorious in a 1-0 win. The only win that Walsall have had in this fixture came in the old Second Division in 1963. Chelsea have endured a tough start to the year with only 2 wins in 6 and have conceded the second most goals in the league averaging 2 per game. They did however beat Arsenal 2-0 in a controversial game on Saturday where Chelsea should have had Costa sent off however, at this point I'm not sure if he'll be banned by the FA or not. Walsall have started League One very well and find themselves in 2nd place and have conceded the least amount of goals in the league. Tom Bradshaw has already scored 3 goals in the first 2 rounds and will be hoping to add to his tally in this game and Walsall will need him to be at his best if they're to upset the odds. They will be against the odds completely but that's the beauty of the cup competition, you get the chance to welcome a great club like Chelsea to your stadium and go toe to toe with some of the best players in the game. They've beaten two Championship teams in this cup so far in Nottingham Forest and Brighton with a 4-3 and a 2-1 win so I wouldn't put it past them to give Chelsea a great game. My advice on how they win the game is to take the game to Chelsea, don't sit back and make them play. Then gaps will be created and then the attacking players for Walsall will be able to find space and create chances. Another way they can win is by getting Costa sent off if he plays, the centre-backs need to go in strong on him and make their mark and he'll get frustrated and kick out and the players need to make sure the referee sees it and then he should be dismissed and against 10 men, the home side have every chance of winning.
Woody Predicts : Walsall 2-1 Chelsea
Manchester United vs Ipswich Town
Ipswich have a tough task to get a win against the four time League Cup winners Manchester United in the final game that I go in depth with. Ipswich have faced lower league opposition so far in the cup so they will need to step up their game to the next level when they play an improving Man United side. Ipswich have been close to returning to the Premier League in recent years but have just fallen short and having started the season in good form again, they will be hoping to prove themselves against one of the best teams in the country. These sides haven't met at Old Trafford since 2001 in the Premier League and they have only met in this competition once before, a game which Ipswich won 2-0 at Portman Road in 1997. Man United find themselves in 2nd position in the Premier League and go into this game with confidence having beaten Southampton 3-2 away from home. Antony Martial looks outstanding having scored 3 goals in 3 games since joining Manchester United and the link up between Depay, Mata, Martial and Rooney will be a constant threat to Ipswich's defence. The way for Ipswich to win this game is to exploit the weakness of Daley Blind playing at centre-back and they should do this by sticking McGoldrick on him and playing long balls towards to striker and hope he can turn Blind and play in Freddie Sears or the wingers or Fraser. Mick McCarthy is a smart manager and I'm sure he will watch highlights of the Southampton game and will be showing his forwards that footage and telling them to replicate it. They need to do what Southampton didn't which is stick to their game plan even if United take the lead or equalise, if they do that then they can get a result.
Woody Predicts : Manchester United 2-1 Ipswich Town
My Predictions for other games
Middlesbrough 2-0 Wolverhampton Wanderers
Norwich City 2-2 West Bromwich Albion (Norwich to win on penalties)
Hull City 2-1 Swansea City
Leicester City 2-2 West Ham United (Leicester to win on penalties)
Crystal Palace 3-1 Charlton Athletic
Fulham 0-1 Stoke City
Sunderland 1-3 Manchester City
Newcastle United 2-1 Sheffield Wednesday
Reading 0-2 Everton
Preston North End 1-2 Bournemouth
Milton Keynes Dons 2-1 Southampton
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