Our best bets for the second round of the Carabao Cup
Our best bets for the second round of the Carabao Cup

Free betting tips: Carabao Cup second round fixtures on August 28/29


The Carabao Cup returns on Tuesday night with 24 games in total. Tom Carnduff has found 19/4, 7/1 and 18/1 best bets.


Recommended Carabao Cup bets

1pt Ched Evans to score anytime in Leicester v Fleetwood at 7/1

1pt Lincoln to beat Blackburn at 19/4

1pt Richard Wood to score anytime in Everton v Rotherham at 18/1

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


The second round of the Carabao Cup returns on Tuesday with a total of 24 games on offer involving teams from all four of England's top divisions.

This stage sees the introduction of those Premier League teams not involved in Europe, and some have been handed more generous ties than others.

One of the top-flight teams joining in is Leicester, who welcome Sky Bet League One outfit Fleetwood to the King Power Stadium.

The Foxes are obviously the fancied outfit here, but there is value in backing Ched Evans to strike for the visitors.

The 29-year-old joined Joey Barton's side over the summer and has had a fantastic start to the season. In five league games, Evans has scored four goals and assisted a further two, that includes a brace in the win over Scunthorpe.

Given the Cod Army's performances on the road this season, they can go into this one with confidence despite the difference in league standings.

Fleetwood won 2-0 away at Oxford before hammering play-off fancied Scunthorpe 5-0 at Glanford Park. They are obviously the outsiders in this one, but they've shown that they are a side who know where the net is.

As ever with cup games, there is always a doubt over who will play, but Barton will be eager to impress and claim a significant scalp in his debut season as a manager so should put out a strong side.

Evans is a man in form, and the 7/1 price available on him to score anytime doesn't reflect the performances he has put in during recent weeks.

Ched Evans and Fleetwood celebrate
Ched Evans and Fleetwood celebrate

Another side looking to cause an upset is Rotherham, who are the massive 16/1 outsiders when they travel to Goodison Park on Wednesday evening to take on Everton.

The Toffees have the players and the talent to wrap up victory, but Rotherham have been in decent enough form to start the season given the fact that they were favourites for relegation.

Set-pieces could be the Millers' main hope for goals, which is why captain Richard Wood could strike and add to his tally.

The 33-year-old already has one this season as he scored in their 3-2 defeat to Hull, but managed to strike seven times in the league during the last campaign which shows his impact in front of goal.

Paul Warne is a manager who has the respect of his players, and while they may not be on the same level as their opposition, he can motivate them to perform above themselves.

Corners could well be key for Rotherham, and if it's not Wood then Sean Raggett looks a decent price at 25/1 given the fact he scored the winner against Millwall at the weekend.

Richard Wood scores the winning goal for Rotherham in the Sky Bet League One play-off final
Richard Wood scores the winning goal for Rotherham in the Sky Bet League One play-off final

Elsewhere, it's an all-EFL clash at Ewood Park when Blackburn take on Lincoln, and the visitors have enough about them to cause an upset.

The Imps are top of the Sky Bet League Two standings after five games, with an unbeaten start seeing them sit on 13 points with a +7 goal difference.

Blackburn have had a good start too, but they'll be looking to strike a balance between a decent cup run and maintaining their lofty league position at this point, which is always difficult to achieve.

Lincoln are a side in great form, and the near 5/1 suggests to me that they're being priced up on the fact that they are a fourth-tier side, rather than the quality that they possess.

John Akinde has led the line in fantastic fashion since joining the club in the summer. He's had five shots on goal this season, of which four have found the net, highlighting how he takes the opportunities that are presented to him.


Posted at 1130 BST on 27/08/18

Follow Sporting Life on social media - find us on Facebook here or tweet @SportingLife

Related football links

Like what you've read?

MOST READ FOOTBALL

Join for Free
Image of stables faded in a gold gradientGet exclusive Willie Mullins insight, plus access to premium articles, expert tips and Timeform data, plus more...
Log in
Discover Sporting Life Plus benefits

FOOTBALL TIPS