PUNTERS were left reeling at the weekend as a host of short-priced big names failed to turn up.
Many poor shows were put down to European involvement but that didn't affect the likes of Real Madrid who won 8-2.
Hot favourites such as Celtic, Rangers, Man Utd, Spurs, Everton, Bayern Munich, Atletico Madrid, Sociedad, PSG and Red Bull Salzburg bombed most accas.
And the results should be a warning to anyone looking to lump on this week's League Cup ties north and south of the border.
Team news is key to tonight's betting, especially in England, where most teams will ring the changes.
In Scotland bosses are keener on a cup run so ties should generally go to form.
Safest bets chould be Aberdeen at home to Livingston as they try to replicate last season's cup runs but the home pays no bigger than 2-5 at William Hill.
Rangers will need to be better than they were at Alloa if they're to beat Falkirk. Skipper Lee McCulloch says the result was a wake-up call and stats suggests an away win although a best price is 4-6 at William Hill is less attractive than waking up next to Jo Brand.
The Ibrox men have notched four in a row against the Bairns to nil including 2-0 away wins in the league this season and Challenge Cup last term. Another Gers win to nil pays 19-10 at McBookie.
It's a toss-up who is worse off just now – Ross County or Hibs. County are pointless in the Premiership so need a lift and could get it against a side who went down at QoS on Saturday. They look big at 29-20 with McBookie and could be the Super Single.
The other ties are all Premiership affairs and should be close. Best bet for Killie v St Johnstone and Partick Thistle v St Mirren could be both to score and the double pays 5-2 at McBookie.
In the Capital One Cup there are three all Premiership ties tonight – Arsenal v Southampton, Swansea v Everton and Sunderland v Stoke.
I've looked at team news and you can be sure all the teams will make several changes from Saturday so if you can check out starting line-ups before having a bet.
Arsenal could be a side to oppose if Saints boss Ronald Koeman sticks to his promise to play a strong side – as the Gunners will give fringe men and youngster a runout as usual. Saints are 10-3 at Betfred and bookies are trying to tempt you with 1-1 (McBookie, BetVictor).
Hector Bellerin, Isaac Hayden, Chuba Akpom and Semi Ajayi are set to start while midfielders Francis Coquelin and Abou Diaby could also feature along with Colombia keeper David Ospina.
Full-back Mathieu Debuchy will be missing for up to three months after surgery on damaged ankle ligaments and joins Nacho Monreal, Yaya Sanogo, Theo Walcott, Serge Gnabry and Olivier Giroud on the sidelines.
Senegal forward Sadio Mane could make his Southampton debut after clearance following his £10 million move from Red Bull Salzburg who seem to be half a team without him.
Swansea boss Garry Monk could bring in the likes of Tom Carroll, Marvin Emnes, Jefferson Montero and Bafetimbi Gomes is set to start up front with Wilfried Bony banned. Everton will make at least as many changes as boss Roberto Martinez also has Europa League commitments.
Sunderland fielded strong sides last season on the way to the Final but Gus Poyet will be without injured Steven Fletcher and Emanuele Giaccherini. Central defender Sebastian Coates could be handed a debut while Costel Pantilimon, Billy Jones, Liam Bridcutt, Will Buckley and Jordi Gomez are set for starts as he utilises his big squad.
Jon Walters and Stephen Ireland are missing for Stoke and boss Mark Hughes could start Marc Muniesa, Oussama Assaidi and Robert Huth.
Liverpool have made a poor start to the season as they try to recover from the loss of Luis Suarez but that won't mean Brendan Rodgers takes any chances ahead of Saturday's Merseyside derby.
Striker Rickie Lambert is set to make his first competitive start but Jordan Henderson, Philippe Coutinho, Glen Johnson, Jon Flanagan, Emre Can, Joe Allen and Daniel Sturridge are out. Lambert might be a shout for first goal at 9-2 with bet365 but I'm not sure I can take Liverpool at a best 4-7.
Middlesbrough will be without the suspended Dean Whitehead but defender Daniel Ayala returns.
Looking at some of the other ties and Derby boss Steve McClaren says he will make fewer than six changes for the visit of Reading – so that probably means five.
Cardiff caretaker bosses Scott Young and Danny Gabbidon could bring in Adam Le Fondre, Nicky Maynard, Declan John and Magnus Ekirem against Bournemouth who will definitely miss midfielder Andrew Surman.
Fulham caretaker Kit Symons is without banned Shaun Hutchinson and injured Matt Smith against a Doncaster side missing Adam Taggart, Curtis Main, Rob Jones and possibly others.
Other ties include MK Dons v Bradford who reached the Final two seasons ago and there is Orient v Sheffield Utd and Shrewsbury v Norwich.
Shrews boss Micky Mellon is the only one I've read saying he'll put out his strongest side and they are 7-2 to upset a Norwich oufit who will be minus Wes Hoolahan but have Gary Hooper, Jonny Howson, Vadis Odjidja-Ofoe, Ignasi Miquel, Declan Rudd, Elliott Bennett, Josh Murphy and Jamar Loza in contention to start.
My recommendations will be on the top tips piece in the morning after I have another look at team news but please don't base your picks on form and standings in the Capital One Cup.
In December 2020 we sadly 
Bet Jo Brand would make a mean fry up for breakfast though! Saying that she’d probably eat the lot herself
ChTheScot, you’re going to give me nightmares now. Goodnight all.
I’ve banged jo brand, and she makes a crap brekky.
Threesome with jo brand ,me and Bella emberg
Bella emberg, lol, her and abbot were quality.
Jo ate one of me cannonballs once.
Garrrrrr!
Killie look very tempting to me v St Johnstone @ 3.25
They have won 3/4 at home this season and with The Saints missing MacLean I think they have their work cut out for them.
Fitba Tips, reckon it could go either way so I’m leaving alone. Greg Browning may have an opinion but my gut feeling is Saints won’t lose.