EFL Cup Best Bets - September 16 & 17

Liverpool may have started the new season without defeat, but they have struggled to turn stalemates into wins. A pair of 2-2 draws with Newcastle & Nottingham Forest were eventually followed by wins over Ipswich (2-0) and Atletico Madrid (2-1). They trundled to a 0-0 draw with Fulham at the weekend in the league, with an inability to win a game at Anfield in the Premier League seeing the frustration grow. Fortunately for Liverpool is the fact they beat Atleti at home in the Champions League, meaning their disappointing home form in the league is not bleeding into cup competitions. Tottenham arrive having failed to score across their last three outings and I back the Reds to make the most out of this as they eliminate their opponents in a low-scoring game. 

Manchester United were handed what felt a harsh 1-0 defeat in their last outing as a controversial VAR decision cost them the game against Manchester City. While City were the better side across the entirety of the contest, the manner in which United were beaten will irk them as they saw a three-game unbeaten run brought to an end. The big worry heading into this one will be that they have lost at home to Brighton in four of their last five meetings, and I back the travelling side to secure a stunning win. The visitors arrive in very good form and will target their inconsistent opponents as a side they can beat.