The Carabao Cup returns this midweek and on Tuesday evening, we have an intriguing looking match from Moor Lane, where League Two Salford City host Premier League Burnley. Weâve previewed this contest and given you our suggested bets for the occasion.Â
Less than 30 miles separates these two north west clubs but itâs a huge distance in the football pyramid, with three divisions between the two.
Both sides have had a really poor start to the season, with Salford City (13/2) losing five straight games in the fourth tier of English football and as a result are sat down in 21st spot in League Two.
There are serious concerns from the star-studded âClass of 92â Ammies owners and surely itâs only a matter of time before Neil Wood is replaced at the helm, if results do not pick up.
There are even rumours circulating that co-owner Ryan Giggs could be temped back in to a return to management if Wood is given his marching orders.
For Burnley (2/5), the situation is a similar one in the top flight, with the Clarets picking up a solitary point from their opening five games, after a 1-0 loss at home to Manchester United on Saturday night.
Vincent Kompanyâs men looked imperious in their promotion from the Championship and several onlookers tipped them to have a comfortable return to the Premier League.
However, Burnley have struggled to score and are also failing to keep out goals at the other end, with a -9 goal difference thus far.
A win in the League Cup would certainly provide a confidence boost for either side, ahead of the resumption of their respective league campaigns.
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With his job on the line and a side of huge quality visiting the Peninsula Stadium, Wood will likely start his strongest XI here.
Kompany on the other hand, may see this as an opportunity to rotate his much larger squad and give some fringe players an opportunity to shine. Vitinho, Hjalmar Ekdal and Michael Obafemi continue to be unavailable through injury.
Burnley -1 Handicap â 11/10
This selection purely comes down to a difference in quality between the two sides.
Salford have been dreadful this season but raised their game to beat Leeds on penalties in the last round.
Sadly for the Ammies faithful, I donât think the tie will go that far this time and Iâm taking the Clarets with a -1 handicap, meaning a two-goal victory or better will see us with a winner here.
Jay Rodriguez to score â 23/20
With Kompany rotating the pack here, one man to benefit should be veteran striker Jay Rodriguez.
The 34-year-old frontman has struggled at the very top level but is an intimidating presence at Championship and below.
Itâs only four years since Rodriguez fired in 22 goals in a league campaign for West Brom and he managed 10 for Burnley from just 20 starts last campaign.
Given how much Salford have struggled at the back this year, J-Rod should have a field day here.
