The last sixteen side remain in this season's Carabao Cup, with five EFL teams left. The two standout ties of this round are both on Wednesday as Liverpool host Arsenal and Chelsea entertain Manchester United.
Below is who I think will progress to the quarter-finals.
BURTON ALBION vs LEICESTER CITY
Leicester come into this match on the back of a Premier League record equaling win of 9-0 against Southampton. The football they played was so good and a lot of the praise should go to Brendan Rodgers. They play Burton Albion who beat Bournemouth in the previous round to get here. Burton sit 13th in League One and I expect a much changed Leicester team will still have enough to overcome Albion.
Verdict - Leicester City
CRAWLEY TOWN vs COLCHESTER UNITED
This is a fantasic opportunity for either of these teams to reach a quarter-final of a domestic cup. Colchester are 9th in League Two while Crawley are 17th despite a three point deficit between the two. Both sides have beaten Premier League sides to get here - Colchester beat Crystal Palace and Tottenham where as Crawley beat Norwich. Colchester have made a name for themselves in the Carabao Cup and given they are higher than Crawley in the league table, I think they'll go through.
Verdict - Colchester United
EVERTON vs WATFORD
Two under performing Premier League teams meet with a chance for some light relief away from their league plight. This is of course the 'Marco Silva' derby given the acrimonious way Everton chased him when at Watford. They met on the second week of the season with Everton winning 1-0 thanks to a goal from Bernard. Waford haven't won a league game this season but their performances have improved over the last couple of weeks. Everton may have just too much for Watford but this one could go to penalties.
Verdict - Everton
MANCHESTER CITY vs SOUTHAMPTON
As already mentioned, Southampton lost 9-0. Manchester City may have won 3-0 but their preparation hasn't been ideal for this match as Fernandinho got sent off which has again reduced their defensive options. A second string City side should easily beat Southampton who will be looking to put in a much more spirited effort than Friday. Unfortunately, that won't be enough.
Verdict - Manchester City
OXFORD UNITED vs SUNDERLAND
Much like Crawley vs Colchester, this contest is another chance for EFL teams to go far in a domestic competition. Oxford beat West Ham 4-0 in the last round but Sunderland have defeated two Premier League opposition to get here - Burnley and Sheffield United. The two sides played out a 1-1 draw on the opening day of the season and are close in the league table. Oxford are unbeaten in their past 8 league matches and Sunderland have lost 3/5. Form suggests Oxford will win.
Verdict - Oxford United
LIVERPOOL vs ARSENAL
Both Liverpool and Arsenal will make a lot of changes to their teams. This competition isn't a priority for them and they have their eyes firmly on other ventures. Arsenal will be hoping to respond to a disappointing 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace and may play a slightly stronger side to atone for that. That could be the difference for Arsenal and I think they may edge it. This is Arsenal, though, so they could lose 3-0.
Verdict - Arsenal
ASTON VILLA vs WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS
A West Midlands derby is the other fixture on Wednesday night not televised. Wolves are in Europe and have had played a lot of football already due to starting Europa League qualifying early. Espirito Santo may use this as an opportunity to properly rest his main players which can only be an advantage to Aston Villa.
Verdict - Aston Villa
CHELSEA vs MANCHESTER UNITED
If I was Frank Lampard or Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, I'd take this game seriously. The Carabao Cup represents a great chance to win some silverware early in the reigns at their respective clubs. Due to injuries, Solskjaer won't be able to rotate as much as Lampard might and United been pretty underwhelming this season. Chelsea have progressed as the season has progressed and I think they will go further in this competition.
Verdict - Chelsea
Those are my predictions - 6 Premier League, 1 League One and 1 League Two. The chances of Colchester and Oxford drawing each other in the next round if they progress are very slim but it would be great for a lower league side to be guaranteed in the semi-finals.
Below is who I think will progress to the quarter-finals.
BURTON ALBION vs LEICESTER CITY
Leicester come into this match on the back of a Premier League record equaling win of 9-0 against Southampton. The football they played was so good and a lot of the praise should go to Brendan Rodgers. They play Burton Albion who beat Bournemouth in the previous round to get here. Burton sit 13th in League One and I expect a much changed Leicester team will still have enough to overcome Albion.
Verdict - Leicester City
CRAWLEY TOWN vs COLCHESTER UNITED
This is a fantasic opportunity for either of these teams to reach a quarter-final of a domestic cup. Colchester are 9th in League Two while Crawley are 17th despite a three point deficit between the two. Both sides have beaten Premier League sides to get here - Colchester beat Crystal Palace and Tottenham where as Crawley beat Norwich. Colchester have made a name for themselves in the Carabao Cup and given they are higher than Crawley in the league table, I think they'll go through.
Verdict - Colchester United
EVERTON vs WATFORD
Two under performing Premier League teams meet with a chance for some light relief away from their league plight. This is of course the 'Marco Silva' derby given the acrimonious way Everton chased him when at Watford. They met on the second week of the season with Everton winning 1-0 thanks to a goal from Bernard. Waford haven't won a league game this season but their performances have improved over the last couple of weeks. Everton may have just too much for Watford but this one could go to penalties.
Verdict - Everton
MANCHESTER CITY vs SOUTHAMPTON
As already mentioned, Southampton lost 9-0. Manchester City may have won 3-0 but their preparation hasn't been ideal for this match as Fernandinho got sent off which has again reduced their defensive options. A second string City side should easily beat Southampton who will be looking to put in a much more spirited effort than Friday. Unfortunately, that won't be enough.
Verdict - Manchester City
OXFORD UNITED vs SUNDERLAND
Much like Crawley vs Colchester, this contest is another chance for EFL teams to go far in a domestic competition. Oxford beat West Ham 4-0 in the last round but Sunderland have defeated two Premier League opposition to get here - Burnley and Sheffield United. The two sides played out a 1-1 draw on the opening day of the season and are close in the league table. Oxford are unbeaten in their past 8 league matches and Sunderland have lost 3/5. Form suggests Oxford will win.
Verdict - Oxford United
LIVERPOOL vs ARSENAL
Both Liverpool and Arsenal will make a lot of changes to their teams. This competition isn't a priority for them and they have their eyes firmly on other ventures. Arsenal will be hoping to respond to a disappointing 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace and may play a slightly stronger side to atone for that. That could be the difference for Arsenal and I think they may edge it. This is Arsenal, though, so they could lose 3-0.
Verdict - Arsenal
ASTON VILLA vs WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS
A West Midlands derby is the other fixture on Wednesday night not televised. Wolves are in Europe and have had played a lot of football already due to starting Europa League qualifying early. Espirito Santo may use this as an opportunity to properly rest his main players which can only be an advantage to Aston Villa.
Verdict - Aston Villa
CHELSEA vs MANCHESTER UNITED
If I was Frank Lampard or Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, I'd take this game seriously. The Carabao Cup represents a great chance to win some silverware early in the reigns at their respective clubs. Due to injuries, Solskjaer won't be able to rotate as much as Lampard might and United been pretty underwhelming this season. Chelsea have progressed as the season has progressed and I think they will go further in this competition.
Verdict - Chelsea
Those are my predictions - 6 Premier League, 1 League One and 1 League Two. The chances of Colchester and Oxford drawing each other in the next round if they progress are very slim but it would be great for a lower league side to be guaranteed in the semi-finals.
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