Carling Cup Tues

Spot on from Tom here, Portsmouth got the job done away from home 1-0 and Luton despatched Charlton 3-1 after extra time.

The league cup has recaptured some of its magic in recent seasons and if we take a look at those to triumph in the not so distant past then it certainly underlines the point. Wigan, runners-up to Manchester United two years back, are the only side from outside the ‘Big Four’ to contest the final since 2004.

Eight games on Tuesday and there are a couple of really interesting fixtures. The live TV game sees Liverpool travel to Reading while I’ll also be keeping a close eye on the game at the Emirates.

Newcastle, who must surely field a strong starting eleven (albeit without the crocked Michael Owen), visit the home of the Premier League leaders and it should be a decent game. The 5.0 about an away win could look massive were Arsene Wenger to field a seriously under strength side but as such decisions aren’t likely to be made until late, I cannot get involved.

It is arguably the lowest profile game of the lot however which will be my main play of the evening. Charlton, so wretched in cup competitions, travel to Luton and I think there has to be value in taking on the Championship side.

Luton, themselves a Championship side last season before suffering relegation, have started life in League One decently enough and three wins from four home matches provides optimism. The absence of Sam Parkin and Paul Peschisolido is a worry but they have averaged two goals a goal at Kenilworth Road this term and it is never the nicest of places to go.

As Athletic chase promotion, Alan Pardew must surely not want any distractions and I envisage him fielding a seriously weakened side for the trip. That will provide the Hatters with sufficient encouragement and the former West Ham boss will surely have an eye on his sides big clash with Coventry on Saturday. Get against the away team.

Regular readers will be all too aware of my admiration for the squad Harry Redknapp has assembled down at Fratton Park and he has such a strong set of troops to choose from now that I cannot resist getting involved with Pompey at odds against away to Burnley. v A potential banana skin it may be but I think the Premiership side will remain firmly on two feet by safely navigating a safe passage into the last sixteen and Harry must be eyeing up a decent run in the lesser of the two domestic cups. Whichever side he chooses to go with is more than capable of winning at Turf Moor and their 1-0 victory at Blackburn on Sunday showed how resilient they have become on their travels.