The football season is back and the fixtures are already coming thick and fast as the midweek schedule serves up a host of fascinating ties from the first round of this year’s EFL Cup.
We’re looking to celebrate in style by backing six teams to score in a treble that pays out at over 4/1. Given that the nature of cup football should result in entertaining matches, we think it’s well worth a punt.
Here are our selections.
Forest Green Rovers v MK Dons
EFL new boys Forest Green Rovers started life in League Two with an exciting 2-2 draw against Barnet, and they are back at the New Lawn for their opening cup game of the season. We have every reason to think it’ll be another game of goals.
The hosts have been in great scoring form this calendar year and bolstered their squad well over the summer. Last year’s top scorer Christian Doidge already has two goals for the season and Mark Cooper will be looking for more of the same against an MK Dons side that do tend to concede on their travels.
Dons lost their opening game of the season without scoring, but should fancy their chances of getting on the target against a team from the division below. It is a squad that boasts firepower and, even with a couple of changes expected, that should show.
It’s a difficult game to predict in terms of the outcome, but there should be chances at both ends. Back both teams to score.
Luton Town v Ipswich Town
League Two outfit Luton grabbed all the opening weekend headlines with a stunning 8-2 win over Yeovil. They’re unlikely to repeat that feat against a team from two divisions above, but they can at least use that momentum to give Ipswich a run or their money.
Nathan Jones’s men clearly know where the goal is and will be eager to impose themselves against the Tractor Boys, who aren’t known for being the strongest of sides on the road. Whether it’ll be enough to progress is another thing altogether, but we do expect the hosts to score.
The Championship side are in good spirits too, though, following an opening day win over Birmingham. There could be changes from Mick McCarthy, which could leave the door open for Luton to score. Nonetheless, the visitors are unlikely to be short of chances.
There might be two divisions between the sides, but it can be closer than that might suggest. At Kenilworth Road, we’re backing goals from both.
Rotherham United v Lincoln City
A 2-0 away loss at Fleetwood underlines the fact that Rotherham could be in for another testing league campaign despite playing a division lower than this time last year. While the Millers should score in their opening home game of the season, they shouldn’t expect to have things all their own way against Lincoln.
Paul Warne’s men still have some decent attacking players in the form of Jamie Proctor, David Ball, and co. Given that Lincoln conceded twice in their return to Football League action on Saturday, the Millers are likely to find the net at the New York Stadium.
Still, the Imps did score two goals of their own away at Wycombe and can take advantage of Rotherham’s defensive weaknesses. The firepower of Matthew Green and Matt Rhead can give the visitors a genuine chance of causing an upset. Even if they don’t, Danny Cowley’s men can score.
Lincoln were involved in some fascinating FA Cup ties last term, let’s hoep that form follows them into this year’s EFL Cup.
