Charlie’s EFL Cup predictions

Charlie Nicholas has provided us with the EFL Cup third round predictions, starting with Tuesday night’s eight games.

We’ve got four contests between Premier League and lower-league opposition, three all Sky Bet EFL contests and, live on Sky Sports 1 HD, a battle between the previous two champions of England.

Here’s what Charlie is expecting to happen and his Sky Bet predictions…

Leicester v Chelsea

This is going to be a cracking game. Chelsea have got problems, not dramatic ones, but Antonio Conte doesn’t seem to know what his best team is, going with more workers than creative players.

They’re relying on Eden Hazard as their creator as they’re not using a playmaker but Cesc Fabregas should have the chance to come in here, while Conte will rotate with the likes of Pedro and Michy Batshuayi coming in.

Leicester took a while to get going on Saturday but when they did they looked like the champions again and I think they’ll knock Chelsea out, with Shinji Okazaki coming back into the side and doing the business.

Charlie predicts: Leicester 2-1 Chelsea, Okazaki to score first (60/1 with Sky Bet)

Bournemouth v Preston

Well it’s a good opportunity for Bournemouth to get their confidence back up after being well beaten on Saturday.

I was surprised Eddie Howe picked Jack Wilshere but I guess he saw it as a free hit, but it was strange to leave Callum Wilson and Benik Afobe out. I think both strikers might play here and they’ll go out to build some momentum.

Preston lost by an even bigger margin at Brentford so it’s probably an ideal game for the Cherries to do that.

Charlie predicts: Bournemouth 3-0 Preston, Afobe to score first (35/1 with Sky Bet)

Brighton v Reading

I’m not sure …

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