Tranmere v Stoke City

It may not seem much to go on but time and again we see that Premier League sides are over-valued in the League Cup betting when they are bound to field weakened elevens. Tranmere may be two divisions below Stoke City, and on worse form, but squad rotation alone makes best odds of 5/1 (StanJames) on the home win enticing.

The Potters may have been quietly impressive under Mark Hughes so far but that will be largely irrelevant when the second string take to the pitch at Prenton Park. City have actually only won one of their last five League Cup games which shows what a low priority this competition has taken in recent years.

Curiously, Tranmere are actually unbeaten in their last five meetings with Stoke, even if that statistic will be largely irrelevant on Wednesday night. More importantly, Rovers boss Ronnie Moore is demanding an improvement from his boys and he will realise that top flight visitors will provide an excellent opportunity to raise standards and turn the corner.

They knocked out Bolton in the last round and a repeat could be on.