Nick Hext's tips for the opening round of the Carabao Cup.
All kick-offs are at 1945 BST...
TV games
Over 3.5 goals in Bury v Sunderland (Thursday, Sky Sports Football & Main Event)
Bury host Sunderland in the final match of the first round on Thursday night. I expect there to be plenty of support for the Shakers in the approach to kick-off and it will certainly be a close contest at Gigg Lane. Bury have acquired the likes of Jermaine Beckford, Chris Maguire, Nicky Ajose and Harry Bunn to boost their attacking options so it's goals I want to go for in this game. Sunderland will use the chance to field some of their youngsters but they'll be eager to impress new boss Simon Grayson and that will make for an entertaining contest. Over 3.5 goals at close to 3/1 is my selection.
Andre Green to score in Colchester v Aston Villa (Wednesday, Sky Sports Football & Main Event)
Sky Sports' opening offering from the Carabao Cup is Aston Villa's trip south to Colchester on Wednesday evening. The U's provide a tricky test for Steve Bruce's Villa, who fell at this stage of the competition last season as they lost to Luton. I don't think the Sky Bet Championship heavyweights will be beaten by League Two opposition again. Bruce has a strong squad at his disposal and his fringe players can use this chance to shine. Andre Green is the Villa player I want to back. The youngster missed a cracking chance to net in Saturday's 1-1 draw with Hull but he impressed in pre-season and has the talent to worry Colchester.
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Best bets
Northampton to qualify against QPR (Tuesday)
Northampton suffered late agony on the opening day of the Sky Bet League One season as they lost 1-0 to an injury-time winner for Shrewsbury at Greenhous Meadow. The Cobblers are fortunate though because they quickly have a chance to bounce back and supporting the upset when they visit QPR is appealing. Ian Holloway's Hoops beat Reading 2-0 to start the Championship season in style and that was a surprise result for many who expected defeat against last term's beaten play-off finalists. Holloway will make changes for this game and I think that makes Northampton worth backing as the QPR boss has been unable to add much quality to his squad this summer and lacks options. I will play it a bit safe and back Northampton in the 'to qualify' odds at 3/1 so I get the option of them making it through courtesy of extra-time and penalties as well as victory in 90 minutes.
Lincoln to beat Rotherham (Tuesday)
You should all remember Lincoln's cup pedigree from last season. The Imps reached the FA Cup quarter-finals as a non-league side before falling to defeat against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium. Sky Bet Championship duo Ipswich and Brighton, Oldham of League One and Premier League outfit Burnley were all dispatched by Danny Cowley's side on the way to the last eight so they aren't going to be intimidated by opposition from a higher division. That makes the close to 3/1 available for Lincoln to win at League One's Rotherham worth taking. The Vanarama National League champions are now back in the EFL and Saturday's 2-2 draw at Wycombe was a decent enough way to start their new campaign.
Favourites to back
Wolves to beat Yeovil by three or more goals (Tuesday)
Yeovil's 8-2 defeat at Luton was as bad a start to a season as you can get. The Glovers did take the lead but supporters making the trip from Somerset would have been better off leaving Kenilworth Road after that goal. Now Yeovil have an even tougher task as they travel to Molineux to face big-spending Wolves of the Sky Bet Championship. Wolves beat title favourites Middlesbrough 1-0 in new boss Nuno's first match in charge and it's no surprise they are heavily odds-on to get the better of Yeovil. The value is in the 2/1 for Wolves to win by three or more goals. Nuno will make changes but his squad is so strong that the Glovers are set to endure another very challenging outing.
Posted at 0920 BST on 07/08/17.
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Carabao Cup fixtures
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