Carling Cup

Tom Allen never doubted Arsene Wenger’s kids and with a 6-0 throttling of Sheffield United, we scored a nice profit with the handicap bet. Elsewhere, Stoke tried their best but could only manage a draw at Reading, before finally triumphing on penalties.

The last 32 of the Carling Cup sees just four all Premier League ties and I expect most of the top flight clubs to safely negotiate a passage into the next round. It’s a realistic avenue into Europe for some of the second-tier sides these days, as shown by Spurs’ success last season, but, having said that, you’d still want the ‘Big Four’ on your side. Their reserves are capable of taking care of most opponents and all should progress this week.

Chelsea have already been advised in the outright, although their trip to Portsmouth tomorrow is hardly ideal, but Arsenal are the pick, at the prices, in midweek of the elite quartet and they should have far too much for Sheffield United.

I’ll be at the Emirates on Tuesday, keeping an eye on possible stars of the future, and having witnessed at first hand Arsenal’s ‘kids’ dismantle Newcastle at the same stage last season I expect more of the same against a very mediocre Blades outfit. They were beaten at Norwich on Saturday and are languishing in the bottom half of the Championship table. Kevin Blackwell’s side haven’t won since August and have really struggled for goals in that time after a bright start to the campaign.

While we have come to expect Arsene Wenger to give his youngsters a chance in this competition he really does look set to field a very youthful side indeed on Tuesday but I see that as no bad thing. We’ve witnessed time and again a talented bunch of his outclass more seasoned professionals when given the chance and they’ll all be keen to impress. Vela, Wilshere, Ramsey and Randall are all full of potential while Nicklas Bendtner, Alex Song and Johann Djourou should add some first team experience.

The 1.40 about the home side looks short enough but should they get going early then I see them grabbing a few goals and they can be backed at even money to defy a 1.25 goal handicap on the Asians.

Elsewhere, Stoke look fairly priced to beat Reading at the Britannia. I have been impressed with how Tony Pulis’ side have dealt with the step up in grade since gracing the Premier League for the first time and they are bound to have taken massive confidence from the point they gained at Anfield on Saturday.

While Reading were involved in the ‘phantom goal’ controversy at the weekend I have been disappointed with their start to the new campaign and no doubt Steve Coppell has also. In sixth place they may well be, but only Kevin Doyle has shone for the Royals so far this term and he is unlikely to feature on Tuesday. Indeed Coppell looks set to rest the majority of his first team.

It could well be worth holding fire until the strength of the home side’s line up is revealed but Stoke have a fairly large squad and the odds against about them making the last 16 looks good. Reading have not won on their travels so far this season in four attempts and clearly have promotion as a priority.