Carabao Cup free betting tips: Second round preview including Leeds v Stoke

Recommended bets

1pt Eddie Nketiah to score anytime at 19/10

1pt Blackburn-draw double chance at 6/5

0.5pts Fulham, Nottingham Forest and Blackburn all to score first at 12/1

For details of advised bookmakers and each-way terms, visit our transparent tipping record

Leeds v Stoke

Days after meeting at the Bet365 Stadium in the league, it's Elland Road for these two on Tuesday.

It is fair to say the Potters were schooled by Marcelo Bielsa's side. You would think it was a home game for the Whites looking at the stats, with 65% possession, 21 goal attempts and 514 completed passes out of 730 as they cruised to a 3-0 victory.

As we saw in the first round at Salford, a return to the Carabao Cup provides a good chance for Bielsa to rotate his side again. Those fringe players came in two weeks ago without interrupting Leeds' rhythm and something similar is expected.

Nathan Jones badly needs a win for the good of his Stoke future and the 5/1 on offer for the visitors looks a tad generous considering the expected rotation, but preference is to leave the result and back a goalscorer for the hosts.

Eddie Nketiah, the Arsenal loanee with so much promise, scored on his first appearance at Elland Road under the lights last week and the crowd will be excited to see more of him.

The 20-year-old has that confidence and swagger that you want in an attacker and he seems to suit Leeds' style of play, with his clinical finishing in the box already on display against Salford and Brentford.

He has two goals in three appearances for Leeds and could get a full run out here - making the 19/10 anytime price very tempting.

Helder Costa could get the nod to start too, but his price is not much greater than Nketiah's and the England U21 forward is fancied to do the business again and continue his flying start.

Best bet: Eddie Nketiah to score anytime at 19/10

Read: Tom Carnduff on Eddie Nketiah - how important will Arsenal man be for Leeds United?

Sheffield United v Blackburn

Winning does breed confidence, but when it comes to competitions like this one it also brings unwanted distractions for a newly-promoted Premier League team focusing on survival.

Chris Wilder has confirmed that changes will be made - 'we'll whizz the team around' - with the likes of Billy Sharp and Ravel Morrison coming into the side for those all-important minutes on the field.

The changes could easily disrupt the Blades, who weren't at their best at the weekend, and Tony Mowbray's Blackburn side could produce one of the night's upsets.

A potential cause for concern for Mowbray is that three of Blackburn’s Sky Bet Championship goals this season have been scored via set-pieces – they are yet to find the net in open play, attempting 44 shots without success. But they are creating chances and may find this competition gives them a little more freedom in front of goal.

Key to their performance could be playmaker Bradley Dack, who has been involved in eight goals in just two League Cup appearances for Rovers, scoring three and assisting five.

With the changes for United guaranteed and Blackburn improving with their summer additions (three wins and a draw in their last four in all competitions), the double chance market provides great value with the visitors fancied to get a result.

Best bet: Blackburn-draw double chance at 6/5

Fulham v Southampton

One of those ties that screams draw, extra-time and a potential early exit for the Premier League side.

Ralph Hasenhuttl's men lost to Sky Bet Championship opposition in Derby after a third round replay in the FA Cup last term and you could see them getting eliminated by second tier opposition in this competition at the Cottage.

It looked like Sofiane Boufal's Saints career was over after being shipped out on loan last season, but he got an assist in his substitute cameo at Brighton on Saturday and could start as Hasenhuttl is also expected to ring the changes.

If you are looking at goalscorers, Ivan Cavaleiro has made a flying start since arriving on loan at Fulham from Wolves, averaging over two shots per game and scoring three in his last three appearances, some of them excellent finishes. He will not be afraid to try his luck against the top flight side and is available at 3/1 to find the back of the net in 90 minutes.

The feeling, though, is this could be a low-scoring draw with the game going to extra-time, perhaps even penalties, with the hosts edging it.

Best bet: Draw and under 2.5 total goals at 10/3

Sporting Life Price Boost

• Fulham (v Southampton)
• Nottingham Forest (v Derby)
• Blackburn (v Sheff United)

All to score first - available at 12/1 exclusively through this link

Carabao Cup second-round draw in full

Tuesday, August 27

• Crewe v Aston Villa
• Leeds v Stoke
• Sheffield Utd v Blackburn
• Burton v Morecambe
• Nottingham Forest v Derby
• Grimsby v Macclesfield
• Preston v Hull
• Rochdale v Carlisle
• Plymouth v Reading
• Crawley v Norwich
• Newport v West Ham (Sky Sports)
• Oxford v Millwall
• Watford v Coventry
• Cardiff v Luton
• Bristol Rovers v Brighton
• Crystal Palace v Colchester
• Fulham v Southampton
• Southend v MK Dons

Wednesday, August 28

• Lincoln v Everton (Sky Sports)
• QPR v Portsmouth
• Swansea v Cambridge
• Bournemouth v Forest Green
• Burnley v Sunderland
• Newcastle v Leicester
• Rotherham v Sheffield Wednesday

Odds correct as of 1300 BST on 26/08/19

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