Carling Cup 8 & 9 Jan

Chelsea v Everton

At the semi-final stage of the competition both teams will be looking to progress into the final. Chelsea will want to retain their position as holders whilst Everton will view the Carling Cup as a chance for getting their hands on both silverware and a secure place into the UEFA cup.

However, Everton will also be aware of the fact that they are playing at Stamford Bridge and that it is highly unlikely that they will be able to win the game. Their tactics therefore will surely be of damage limitation. The Carling Cup Semi Final has two legs and therefore Everton will want to hold their own at the Bridge and then attack Chelsea when they are on home territory at Goodison Park. Everton are not bad defensively and earlier this season, a late equaliser from Cahill saw Everton take a point at Stamford Bridge. This is the sort of result that David Moyes will want repeated and therefore a low scoring game can be expected.

Chelsea will be trying to get as great a lead as possible over Everton before the second leg is played. However, they may find that they have difficulties doing this, they have not won by more than one goal in their last five games. If QPR can manage to lose just one nil at Stamford Bridge then surely Everton will fancy their chances at tying the game. Chelsea will also be without strikers Saloman Kalou and Didier Drogba, hindering Chelsea’s chances in front of goal even further.

Everton will really be putting ten men behind the ball in an attempt to prevent Chelsea from scoring and therefore a +¾ goal handicap to Everton seems like an attractive prospect. Also, I can’t see the game producing more than two goals and at 1.76 from Ladbrokes it seems like a relatively solid bet.

Have a one point bet on Everton +3/4 at odds of 1.85 from betinternet. Also, have a one point bet on the game producing fewer than 2.5 goals at odds of 1.76 from Ladbrokes.

Arsenal v Tottenham

The North London Derby does not seem to be offering much value. It is always difficult to predict what sort of a team Arsene will produce and his youngsters certainly aren't as strong as they were last year. I feel the game is best left alone.