Carling Cup Third Round:Southampton vs Preston North End- odds and betting preview

SOUTHAMPTON,UK:The St Mary's Stadium plays host to this third round tie between Southampton and Preston North End on Wednesday night. Southampton will hope they can safely progress through to the next round, after their impressive 3-1 away win against Swindon in the previous round. Going into the match, bookmakers favour a home win, which is at best odds of 8/13 (bet £13 to win £8 profit) with Ladbrokes whilst a draw can be backed at a standout 3/1 with Skybet and Victor Chandler. An away win is at an industry best of 5/1 with Betfred and Skybet.

Southampton are unbeaten at home as well as leading the Championship table this season. Having only lost one in seven, which was away at Leicester, it is easily understood why bookmakers favour them. On the other hand Preston are unbeaten in six including a 2-0 away win against Charlton, who top League One at the moment.

Southampton striker's David Connolly and Rickie Lambert,  head the first goalscorer market at best odds of 9/2 with Bet 365. Lambert has scored eight goals this season which has included a hat-trick against Nottingham Forrest. The next most likely in the betting market is ex Tottenham Hotspur striker Lee Barnard, who is on offer at 5/1 with Betfred and 888 Sport. Preston's biggest threat comes from Canadian striker Iain Hume, who can be backed at a top priced 8/1 shot with Ladbrokes. Preston's top goalscorer this season Neil Mellor, can be had at a standout 8/1 with Boylesports.

In the correct score market, the favoured scoreline is 2-0  to the home side,which is at 15/2 with Bet 365, whilst a 1-0 Southampton win is on offer at 8/1 with Bet 365 and Coral. The game is 18/1 with Skybet to finish goalless but a surprise 1-0 to the away win can fetch odds as long as 20/1 with Coral.

Southampton are 6/4 with Boylesports to lead at both half-time and full-time and 7/2 with Coral to win the match after being held back at the interval. Coral are offering 7/1 on both halves being a  draw whilst Preston/Preston can be backed at best odds of 10/1 with 888 Sport. Preston to be a head at the interval and then to draw the match, is at a top priced 18/1 shot with Skybet and Stan James.

In the Over/Under Market, over 2.5 goals is at best odds of 8/13 with Stan James whilst under the same 2.5 margin is at 6/4 with Skybet. For those punters predicting an open contest 13/8 can be had for over 3.5 goals.

This match kicks off at 19.45 BST on Wednesday

Carling Cup-Southampton v Preston- Winner

Carling Cup- Winner