SEP 22: CAPITAL ONE CUP BETTING PREVIEW

EVERYONE knows the perils of betting on Capital One Cup matches with so many of the top-flight teams showing a total lack of interest in progressing.

The big guns usual progress but I don't believe it's possible to confidently predict WDW in any game without concrete team news – or better still line-ups.

Tuesday night's games include a midlands derby between Aston Villa and Birmingham and two all Premier League ties featuring Leicester v West Ham and Sunderland v Man City.

Other matches see Stoke go to Fulham and Swansea visit Hull. Middlesbrough tackle Wolves in a an all-Championship encounter while Bournemouth are off to Preston and Everton at Reading.

If they were playing full teams you'd have no problem in backing the favourites but we know the likes of Bournemouth and Swansea will ring the changes.

Let's use this thread chiefly for team news that will help make our selections.

I'll kick off with some and try to make additions throughout the day.

Sunderland v Man City

City could rest David Silva after he missed the defeat to West Ham with a calf injury, while Vincent Kompany (calf) is unlikely to be risked. Pablo Zabaleta could be in line to return after a month out with a knee problem. Young forwards Kelechi Iheanacho and Patrick Roberts could feature as could Spanish full-back Pablo Maffeo.

For Sunderland Younes Kaboul is suspended following his red card against Bournemouth and John O'Shea is suffering from illness but Wes Brown could return.

Aston Villa v Birmingham

Villa are without midfielder Idrissa Gueye after he flew back to France for treatment on his hamstring problem. Jores Okore (knee) and Adama Traore (ankle) are also expected to be sidelined but Rudy Gestede could start.

Birmingham are without defender Neal Eardley who is likely to be out for six weeks with a dislocated shoulder. Clayton Donaldson is set to lead the line with Demarai Gray supporting him in attack.

Leicester v West Ham

Forward Joe Dodoo – who scored a hat-trick against Bury in the previous round – will make his home debut as Claudio Ranieri makes changes.

West Ham will be without Michail Antonio as the winger is cup-tied having already played in this season's competition for Nottingham Forest. Carl Jenkinson is a doubt after limping off in the win at Manchester City.

Fulham v Stoke

Stoke boss Mark Hughes is likely to be without forward Mame Biram Diouf while Charlie Adam is suspended and long-term absentee Ryan Shawcross is still out. Bojan, who netted against Leicester, is a doubt.

Fulham boss Kit Symons is confident his side can progress and points out they have scored in every game this season. Striker Matt Smith could return against Stoke after a month out but defenders Ryan Fredericks, Shaun Hutchinson and Nikolay Bodurov will all be assessed.

Hull v Swansea

Having made wholesale changes in Swansea's last League Cup outing at York boss Garry Monk says he will pick the best team for the job – and that obviously means some rotation.

Hull boss Steve Bruce will also freshen up his team after describing the performance against QPR at the weekend as “leggy”. He could have midfielder Jake Livermore back for the first time since his positive test for cocaine.

Reading v Everton

Roberto Martinez will be hoping Muhamed Besic and Seamus Coleman will be fit to face Steve Clarke's in-form side after the 0-0 draw at Swansea. England Under-21 defender Tyias Browning impressed on his full Premier League debut on Saturday and could keep his place although Martinez will ring the changes. Everton may start Spanish winger Gerard Deulofeu as fellow forward Kevin Mirallas begins a three-match ban.

Reading manager Steve Clarke says he will make “significant changes” to his starting XI. Keeper Ali Al-Habsi is expected to play, with Lucas Piazon, Ola John and Simon Cox among those pushing to start.

Middlesbrough v Wolves

Middlesbrough boss Aitor Karanka is likely to make changes despite only missing Rhys Williams, Damia Abella and Alex Baptiste.

Wolves are without suspended Conor Coady after the midfielder was sent off against Brighton at the weekend. Dave Edwards (knee), keeper Emi Martinez and defenders Scott Golbourne and Kortney Hause are also doubtful.

Preston v Bournemouth

New signing Glenn Murray could make his first start for Bournemouth after joining from Crystal Palace. Shaun MacDonald, Adam Smith and Yann Kermorgant could also feature for the Premier League side.

Preston will be without first-choice strikers Joe Garner (suspension) and Eoin Doyle (cup-tied). Calum Woods, Chris Humphrey, Josh Brownhill and Will Keane will be vying for a place in Simon Grayson's side.

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