Football betting tips: Carabao Cup
1pt Exeter to win draw no bet at 19/5 (Betfair, Paddy Power)
0.5pt Jayden Wareham to score and be carded at 11/1 (bet365)
The Devon Derby gets the TV treatment on Monday evening as Plymouth host Exeter in the Carabao Cup first round.
The Pilgrims are fancied to go well in League One, which I’ve detailed in my EFL outright preview, but here it is in a nutshell.
Since Derek Adams arrived in a senior role last November, Plymouth went on the charge.
They were rock bottom of the division when Adams returned and went on to take the third most points, score the third most goals and concede the fourth fewest from that point onwards.
Who’s to say that Tom Cleverley wouldn’t have turned things round on his own. He is lauded as ‘the hardest-working person at the club’ by chairman Simon Hallett.
But the chalk and cheese nature of their form pre and post Adams’ arrival is just too cut and dry to think otherwise.
Despite all of this, I wouldn’t be in a hurry to back them at a general price of 1/2.
As Joe Townsend pointed out in Saturday’s preview, it isn’t uncommon for the underdogs to spring a surprise at this stage of this competition.
According to him, last season, 15 ties (43%) went against the odds, with nine (26%) seeing winners in 90 minutes and the remaining six drawn.
Once you factor in the rivalry element and the recent head-to-head record (Plymouth W2 D2 L2), Cleverley’s side are probably best avoided here.
In fact, at 19/5, backing EXETER DRAW NO BET is the angle advised.
It must be acknowledged that the Grecians haven’t had the best summer following relegation to League Two though.
Money's tight, as outlined by manager Matt Taylor, who’s said players will have to be sold before the squad gets some much needed reinforcement.
JAYDEN WAREHAM is their prize asset. He netted 19 goals last term and is expected to continue plying his trade in the third tier although the official word from his current club is they are yet to receive an offer.
Assuming he’ll still be at Exeter on Monday, and in the starting XI, backing him TO SCORE ANYTIME AND BE SHOWN A CARD appeals at 11/1.
Wareham was Exeter’s most carded player last season picking up eight cautions, five of which accompanied goals.
Odds correct at 18:00 BST (07/08/26)
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