2017-18 EFL Carabao Cup

[Savant]

So here is the round 3 draw for the Carabao Cup (the one no one cares about unless they win). Matches take place week of September 18th.

West Bromwich Albion vs Manchester City
Everton vs Sunderland
Leicester City vs Liverpool
Manchester United vs Burton Albion
Brentford vs Norwich
Wolves vs Bristol Rovers
Burnley vs Leeds United
Arsenal vs Doncaster Rovers
Bristol City vs Stoke City
Reading vs Swansea
Aston Villa vs Middlesbrough
Chelsea vs Nottingham Forest
West Ham United vs Bolton Wanderers
Crystal Palace vs Huddersfield Town
Tottenham Hotspur vs Barnsley or Derby County
Bournemouth vs Brighton and Hove Albion

Click to read more...

 

[Savant]

Liverpool have the anomaly of playing back to back games at Leicester. Fun.

 

[hatterson]

Is the carabao cup name new? I don't recall it from previous years.

 

[Savant]

Is the carabao cup name new? I don't recall it from previous years.

Yes. Isn't it great?

 

[hatterson]

Yes. Isn't it great?

I thought it was some random friendly tournament when I saw the thread title and was confused why it was getting posted about now

 

[gphr513]

The English League Cup is sponsored by a Thai energy drink. What a time.

 

[Savant]

The English League Cup is sponsored by a Thai energy drink. What a time.

And they wonder why it's not taken seriously. I hate the League Cup whatever it's called. So does everyone else unless they win it and then it's the best and so is their team. Yuck.

 

[chasespace]

League Cup is a waste when you already have the FA Cup and League teams already play 46 games.

I get they're trying to give the top-4 leagues another trophy like how the lower leagues get the Trophy and Vase but the winner only gets 100K so it's not worth it to any of the teams outside League 2(if that even).

 

[hatterson]

League Cup is a waste when you already have the FA Cup and League teams already play 46 games.

I get they're trying to give the top-4 leagues another trophy like how the lower leagues get the Trophy and Vase but the winner only gets 100K so it's not worth it to any of the teams outside League 2(if that even).

I'd say the biggest draw of the league cup is for mid/low table teams because it gets them into the Europa League.

 

[bluesfan94]

I like it because it's usually a chance to see some of the bigger teams' younger players.

 

[Wee Baby Seamus]

I thought it was some random friendly tournament when I saw the thread title and was confused why it was getting posted about now

Thought the same when Chelsea's official twitter announced we drew Forest. I was like "why the hell are we doing a friendly tournament during the season"

 

[Savant]

Leicester - Liverpool is getting televised on the 19th

Man Utd - Burton is getting televised on the 20th (only game on the 20th)

 

[East Coast Bias]

Leicester - Liverpool is getting televised on the 19th

Man Utd - Burton is getting televised on the 20th (only game on the 20th)

Who has the rights in the US? Did I read ESPN now does?

 

[Savant]

Who has the rights in the US? Did I read ESPN now does?

Honestly don't know. I don't have cable. I just go to the supporters club.

 

[East Coast Bias]

Honestly don't know. I don't have cable. I just go to the supporters club.

Just looked it up - it is ESPN. Most games will be on ESPN3 (streaming only)

 

[Savant]

AOC is starting for Liverpool today. Solanke is at striker and Danny Ings is on the bench. Also Flanagan is back in the side. Liverpool have a ton a depth this season at everywhere except CB and they are using it today. Now if only they can convince Klopp to uses his substitutes in a league game.

 

[YNWA14]

AOC is starting for Liverpool today. Solanke is at striker and Danny Ings is on the bench. Also Flanagan is back in the side. Liverpool have a ton a depth this season at everywhere except CB and they are using it today. Now if only they can convince Klopp to uses his substitutes in a league game.

It's a strong side. Would have been interesting to see Klopp use a diamond (still my preferred formation) instead though with Grujic or Henderson on the bench.

Flanagan - Gomez - Klavan - Robertson
Henderson*
Chamberlain - Wijnaldum
Coutinho
Solanke - Woodburn​

Still, it's a strong side for this match and like you said the depth is on display. Hope for an encouraging performance.

 

[Live in the Now]

That's not a strong side, our defense is absolute trash. I would never want Flanagan to be playing in any of these games.

 

[YNWA14]

We'll see.

 

[Baxterman]

I am surprised by the Tottenham line-up, thought for sure this would be a good spot to rest Vertongen and Alderweireld (Although I doubt Alderweireld sees the pitch) as well as some of the midfield but really it is pretty close to a normal line-up.

With Trippier starting and Aurier not even on the bench I hope this means he will be taking a bigger role in the CL and EPL games now over Trippier.

 

[Savant]

That's not a strong side, our defense is absolute trash. I would never want Flanagan to be playing in any of these games.

I would not be heart broken if they lose. Too many games.

 

[YNWA14]

Robertson and Chambo starting brightly.

Wijnaldum's touch is unreal.

 

[Savant]

Robertson and Chambo starting brightly.

Wijnaldum's touch is unreal.

Solanke is going to score one of those Robertson crosses. Maybe not today, but it will happen.

 

[YNWA14]

Solanke is going to score one of those Robertson crosses. Maybe not today, but it will happen.

Thought he was going to bury that one tbh

 

[Burner Account]

Coutinho and Robertson bright spots so far