Tom Carnduff has looked through the team news and unearthed some value for the Checkatrade Trophy on Tuesday night.
Recommended bets
2pts Marcus Maddison to score anytime in Peterborough v Luton at 3/1
2pts Max Power to score anytime in Morecambe v Sunderland at 3/1
For details of advised bookmakers and each-way terms, visit our transparent tipping record
Morecambe v Sunderland
Best bet: Max Power to score anytime at 3/1
Sunderland should wrap up another victory and top spot in their group when they travel to take on Morecambe, who have lost both of their games so far.
The Black Cats sit in first following two wins from two, although with five points given how their game against Stoke was decided on penalties.
The League One outfit are set to field a fairly strong outfit as they look to give some first-team members minutes following absences.
Speaking to Chronicle Live, Sunderland assistant manager James Fowler stated that "we're going there with the intent to win the game.
"It's a competition that will allows us to make a few changes and play a few players who need gametime.
"Glenn Loovens is back from injury, Bryan Oviedo, Alim Ozturk, Max Power – they will all play."
Sunderland are 1/2 for victory, although a win with over 2.5 goals boosts the odds to 11/8 and that looks decent value given the contrasting forms of these two sides.
The 11/4 on offer on Power to score is also worth investigating. The midfielder has two goals in the league so far this season, but hasn't featured in the previous two Checkatrade Trophy games.
He made an appearance from the bench against Port Vale in the FA Cup and should be given a start here as they look to introduce him back to the side. Power has been serving a four-game suspension after receiving his second red card of the season away at Bradford.
His eye for goal is highlighted by the 13 goals he was directly involved in last season for Wigan. With Sunderland expected to be on the front foot for the majority of this game, there is every chance he could find the net again here.
Peterborough v Luton
Best bet: Marcus Maddison to score anytime at 3/1
Victory here will likely send Peterborough through to the knock-out stages, despite losing their two previous group games on penalties.
Steve Evans has commented that while the Checkatrade Trophy doesn't hold the same reputation as the FA Cup, he will be looking to win the competition for the second time in the club's history.
"The status of the Checkatrade Trophy doesn’t compare with the FA Cup obviously, but if we we’re in it we might as well try and win it," he told the Peterborough Telegraph.
"I will make changes tomorrow. I am monitoring the gametime of players and some need to get some competitive action as I will need them for the League One matches soon enough."
Posh have put out fairly strong line-ups in their encounters so far. Matt Godden and Jason Cummings started together against Brighton, while Ivan Toney and Marcus Maddison featured against MK Dons.
Maddison provides the value in this encounter, with the attacking midfielder set to secure a starting place here.
Despite starring last season, game time has been limited throughout the current campaign following a summer of uncertainty regarding a move to one of a number of interested clubs in the Sky Bet Championship.
It is worth noting that in the two league games in which he has played 90 minutes this season, Maddison contributed two assists.
His form in 2017/18 was exceptional. 12 goals and 23 assists, in a side which failed to make the play-offs, led to transfer talk throughout the latter months.
Two of those goals came in this competition, highlighting his importance as Posh reached the quarter-final stages.
Luton may have won both games in the group, but a common theme throughout Peterborough's games has been goals with an average of five per game in the Checkatrade Trophy.
Given the calibre of the teams involved, expect near that average again here.
Crewe v Shrewsbury
Best bet: Over 3.5 goals at 11/5
Quick heads-up for this game, it kicks-off at 19:30 so make sure you aren't caught out by thinking it starts at the same time as the majority of the others.
Managerless Shrewsbury will be looking to wrap up a place in the next part of this competition, although a Crewe victory will also send them through at the expense of the Shrews.
Goals is the avenue to go down here. Crewe have conceded four in both of their games so far, including a 1-4 hammering to Manchester City u21's in their last home encounter.
Despite John Askey winning just four of his 17 games in charge, he did record a 6-0 hammering of Tranmere in this competition which put Salop in their current strong position.
We don't know what to expect from this Shrewsbury side now. Goalkeeping coach Danny Coyne will oversee proceedings for the visitors in his second caretaker spell in charge of the club.
It could signal a number of fringe players sensing a chance to stake a claim for a first-team spot here. That includes the likes of Ryan Sears and Ryan Barnett, who have impressed previously.
Both sides know the permutations heading into the encounter and that could see it become an open game with chances at either end. With weakened defences, the forwards could capitalise.
Outright odds
Checkatrade Trophy winner 2018/19 (odds via Sky Bet)
- Sunderland - 8/1
- Barnsley - 10/1
- Portsmouth - 10/1
- Luton - 12/1
- Manchester City U21 - 16/1
- Arsenal U21 - 18/1
- Newcastle U21 - 20/1
- Tottenham U21 - 20/1
Sunderland, Barnsley and Portsmouth all lead the market, but there could be value in backing Manchester City at the current odds of 16/1 to become the first youth team to win the Checkatrade Trophy.
They are a side filled with talent, players who are looking to impress with the aim of breaking into Pep Guardiola's record-breaking first-team in the future.
Lorenzo Gonzalez has already demonstrated that he can find the net in this team, while Ayotomiwa Dele-Bashiru and Taylor Richards have provided an attacking threat from midfield.
It all comes down to how seriously the senior teams take this competition, especially if they are in with a chance of success in the league in the latter months of the season.
That said, City are already in the knock-out stages and seem to have the best squad out of any of the youth sides involved.
Odds correct at 1205 GMT (13/11/18)
