Carling Cup: Tuesday

There doesn’t seem to be any value in backing Man United and Arsenal to progress in their Carling Cup games at ludicrously short odds, particularly when reserve players will be out in force. Instead, I’ll take the 5/1 (Boylesports) double on Crystal Palace and Cardiff City winning, both at home to fellow Championship opponents.

It remains to be seen if Palace rest certain key personnel for their last 16 clash with Southampton, but Nigel Adkins has already shown his hand for the visitors. The Saints boss has already pledged to hand a full debut to 16-year-old midfielder James-Ward Prowse, while goalkeeper Kelvin Davis is among many first team regulars likely to be absent from the starting line-up

It’s quite conceivable that Dougie Freedman will make changes for the Eagles, but home advantage could be telling in this fixture. Palace have rarely been beaten at Selhurst Park under the current manager, while the record in this competition is excellent. The hosts have won 16 of their last home 18 games in the League Cup, and lost just two of 29.

With three clean sheets in a row heading into this game, Palace are on even better form than the league leaders. Freedman’s side have taken 13 points from a possible 15 to charge up the table themselves. Wigan and Middlesbrough have already been eliminated at Selhurst Park - sides very similar in calibre to Southampton.

Cardiff City boss Malky Mackay doesn’t sound like a man who sees this competition as an unwelcome distraction. “It’s great to be through to this stage of the Cup, I want to go as far as I can. Every game we’ve played the priority is to win the game in the Carling Cup,” he added. The Bluebirds go into the match brim full of confidence after a thrilling 5-3 win over Barnsley at the weekend. They’ve notched 10 goals in their last three outings and defeated Southampton themselves not too long ago.

Burnley’s progress in the Cup has been anything but convincing up till now. They needed extra-time to se off Burton Albion at Turf Moor and the extended period was again required at home to Barnet in the next round. A 2-1 home win over MK Dons only came courtesy of a last minute winner. It’s hard to imagine less impressive progress when the draws have been so kind. Cardiff are 8th in the Championship and should be too strong for 17th Burnley.