Premier League teams most at risk of being slayed in Carabao Cup second round as West Ham, Fulham and Crystal Palace join competition
As a number of top-flight clubs enter the draw, we check pick out the three games most at risk of seeing an upset
PREMIER LEAGUE clubs not competing in Europe begin their Carabao Cup campaigns tonight hoping to avoid humiliation.
Fans love an upset and there are always a few in the domestic cups every year.
Here, SunSport previews tonight’s second-round clashes involving the top-flight clubs most at risk of crashing out.
Stoke vs Huddersfield
Bookies rate struggling Huddersfield as the most likely Prem side to crash out with their opponents, recent relegated Stoke, 7-5 with Betfair.
Spokesperson Katie Baylis said: “Huddersfield are likely to make changes, considering Premier League survival is their main objective and while Stoke’s league form has been mixed, they are always a tough prospect at home.
“So the Potters, at 7/5 for the win, seem the most likely of any of the non PL teams to knock out a top flight side.”
The Terriers have conceded nine goals in three matches, scoring just once.
Relegated Stoke are not likely to pose the same problems as Manchester City and Chelsea but are a good shout at home.
Swansea vs Crystal Palace
Swansea have made a solid enough start to their Championship season under new boss Graham Potter.
The former Ostersunds boss is still getting to know his players, and the Carabao Cup will give him a chance to put some fringe players in the firing line.
So it represents a perfect chance for them to stake their claim for a regular starting spot.
Palace have lost their last two games in the Premier League, so confidence could be thin.
With star player Wilfried Zaha likely to get a breather, Swansea will fancy their chances of causing a cupset.
Sheffield Wednesday vs Wolves
While Wolves probably aren’t settling for simply “survival” this season in the Premier League, the Carabao Cup won’t feature high on their list of priorities.
And it’s unlikely their batch of European stars will view the competition with as much desire as they do for England’s top flight.
Wednesday, meanwhile, have won their last two Championship games, and will likely see the cup as a decent way to add some money to the coffers.
Cardiff vs Norwich
Neil Warnock will probably admit he doesn’t want a Carabao Cup run.
The experienced gaffer has one sole remit this season with Cardiff – to finish 17th or higher in the Premier League and ensure survival.
He is expected to make wholesale changes for the visit of Norwich – with youth players even getting their chance.
While Norwich hardly go into the game full of confidence – they were hammered 3-0 at home to Leeds at the weekend, it will give some of the players a chance to redeem themselves.
Leicester vs Fleetwood
There will be no fairytale for Jamie Vardy who will miss the game against his former club.
The Leicester striker sits out the second of a three-match ban for getting sent-off against Wolves.
The Foxes played Fleetwood last season in the FA Cup – Vardy missed the first game through injury and then came off the bench in a 2-0 second-leg success, but only for nine minutes.
Without the now retired-from-England striker,the Cod Army will fancy their chances.
Under new boss Joey Barton, there are hopes Fleetwood can finally mount a League One play-off challenge.
Barton hates losing,and if his instils this tonight, they could spring a shock against what will be a weakened Leicester side.
