Swansea v Crystal Palace – Tuesday 28 August – League Cup – BET HERE
These sides were playing one another in the Premier League a few months ago, but the Swans have been relegated since then. They’ve lost three of their last five League Cup matches against top-flight opposition (although those included defeats to Manchester United and Manchester City). Palace have lost their last three away games in the League Cup, but I fancy them to get the win here.
Match Tip: Crystal Palace Win
Mr. Predictor’s Verdict: Swansea 0 v 2 Crystal Palace
Stoke v Huddersfield – Tuesday 28 August – League Cup – BET HERE
Stoke have had a poor start to the Championship season since they were relegated and, since there have been Under 2.5 Goals in seven of their last ten games in the League Cup, I don’t see many goals here. Huddersfield have lost four of their past five League Cup matches and were beaten 2-0 by the Potters last season. I’m going for a goalless draw.
Match Tip: Under 2.5 Goals
Mr. Predictor’s Verdict: Stoke 0 v 0 Huddersfield
PAOK v Benfica – Wednesday 29 August – Champions League Qualifier – BET HERE
This tie is hanging in the balance after the first leg ended 1-1. PAOK have already knocked out Basel and Spartak Moscow with home wins in both ties. This is the furthest they’ve ever been in Champions League qualifying, and both teams have scored in eight of their past ten qualifiers. Benfica haven’t missed out on the group stage since 2009/10, but they couldn’t win at Fenerbahce in the last round. I think this could be the season that they don’t make it.
Match Tip: Both Teams to Score
Mr. Predictor’s Verdict: PAOK 2 v 1 Benfica
Nottingham Forest v Newcastle – Wednesday 29 August – League Cup – BET HERE
Nottingham Forest have only won two of their last ten League Cup games at home inside 90 minutes, but they’ve had a strong start to the season. They beat Newcastle in extra time last year too, so this isn’t an easy tie for the visitors. Rafael Benitez’s men have drawn their last two League Cup games in normal time, and I expect the same this time.
Match Tip: Both Teams to Score
Mr. Predictor’s Verdict: Nottingham Forest 1 v 1 Newcastle
Burnley v Olympiacos – Thursday 30 August – Europa League – BET HERE
Burnley trail 3-1 after the first leg when they played the final half an hour with just ten men. This time last year they had already beaten Chelsea and drawn with Tottenham, but they’ve played eight games this month and you can see it’s affecting them. Olympiacos have won all three of their qualifiers so far. I think they’ll go through to the group stage.
Match Tip: Both Teams to Score
Mr. Predictor’s Verdict: Burnley 1 v 1 Olympiacos