The EFL Cup fixtures are set to be played this week and here is a look at what to expect from some of those matches.
Frank Lampard back at the Bridge
Frank Lampard will return to Chelsea on Tuesday, with his Derby side out to cause another giant-killing at Stamford Bridge. They managed to eliminate Manchester United after drawing 2-2 at the end of regular time in the last round and they came out on top in the ensuing penalty shootout. Lampard is a Chelsea legend having spent 13 years with the Premier League side and it will be an emotional return for him. Mason Mount and Fikayo Timori are currently with Derby on loan from Chelsea and they have been allowed to take part against their parent club. It will be interesting to see if the Derby contingent can get the better of Chelsea, but it will surely be a great feeling to have Super Franky back at the Bridge.
Fulham bracing for impact
Fulham are yet to win from four of their last five outings and that is set to continue when they travel to Manchester City in the League Cup. This is a meeting between the strongest attack and the weakest defence when you consider their goal difference in the league so far, with City at +23 while Fulham are at -17. The visitors have conceded seven times from their last two fixtures and they will come short against a City side that have scored eight from their last two meetings. We expect City to rotate their squad but we don’t see a different end product as they have a lot of quality in their squad.
Another close shave for Tottenham?
Tottenham have seen a mixed start to the new season after struggling to find their footing in all the competitions that they are involved in. The Champions League has not gone according to plan but things have not looked that bleak domestically. They have been managing to get results but they have looked very unconvincing in their recent wins. They will be playing West Ham who have recently found a footing after a disastrous start to the season. Seeing that they have been winning narrowly and their opponents equally losing narrowly at least in two of their last three, we expect another close win for the visiting Spurs.
Arsenal to rekindle old flames with Blackpool
Arsenal were held by Crystal Palace during the weekend after an incredible run of 11 consecutive wins in all competitions. Their next assignment will be at home to Blackpool as they seek to qualify for the next round of fixtures in the League Cup. The Gunners have a history with their visitors and they will be relishing a chance to impress in front of their own fans. The last two meeting between them saw a total of nine goals to one in favour of Unai Emery’s men. This is very likely to happen again and you only need to see their recent record to understand why Blackpool might not be very lucky here.
Of Bournemouth and ravenous Norwich City
Bournemouth will be out to build on a great start to the season with more success in the Carabao Cup when they host Norwich City at the Vitality Stadium. They are sixth in the top flight after ten games and are fresh from crushing Fulham 3-0 at Craven Cottage at the weekend. Norwich for their part will head to the Vitality as a side also in form. They have come from nowhere and are now in contention for